Crucial Part of Omega D2 Lift Arm Broken - Thoughts on How to Fix?

[Jim C.]

It is not a very complex part, you should be able to make one from aluminum flat bar stock from the hardware store with some drilling and filing. It does not even need to be tapered.
Attachment 252051

It's a bit more complicated than you think, the arm has a bushing with two set screws that holds it on the pivot rod
And it looks to me that the bushing is a pressed in then swaged to lock it in.

dachyangel, drop me a PM if your ebay part doesn't pan out, I'm located in Brooklyn, NY, I have a machine shop and can do aluminum welding.

[Pieter]

It's a bit more complicated than you think, the arm has a bushing with two set screws that holds it on the pivot rod
And it looks to me that the bushing is a pressed in then swaged to lock it in.

dachyangel, drop me a PM if your ebay part doesn't pan out, I'm located in Brooklyn, NY, I have a machine shop and can do aluminum welding.

Yes, but it looks like that part could be salvaged from the original.

[dachyagel]

I will definitely take you up on that Jim, thank you for the offer.

It's a bit more complicated than you think, the arm has a bushing with two set screws that holds it on the pivot rod
And it looks to me that the bushing is a pressed in then swaged to lock it in.

dachyangel, drop me a PM if your ebay part doesn't pan out, I'm located in Brooklyn, NY, I have a machine shop and can do aluminum welding.

[dachyagel]

Miracle of miracles, I found a replacement on the auction site. Now I just have to figure out how to put it on and see if the head works.

[Jim C.]

It's not difficult, you'll need a 3/32" hex key to remove the set screws, use a magnet to keep from
loosing them, they're small. The set screws are cup point so they raise a burr on the aluminum pivot shaft so
you'll have to rotate the shaft back and forth a bit holding the broken one and using the other arm as a handle to
'burnish" down the burrs, it should slip right off.

[Mark Sampson]

oh, one more thing... those lifting arms were designed to carry a symmetrical weight (like a condenser head). The Super-Chromega carries most of its weight offset to the right; this means that over time (and much use) the head will tilt to the right. The arms must then be adjusted so that the head sits level on top of the negative stage/neg carrier. I've had to do that many, many times. But get it right upon assembly, it's quite simple, and you'll be good for years.

[dachyagel]

Thanks Jim; Thanks Mark. Testing the head today; appreciate the tips.

[dachyagel]

Just wanted to close out this thread with some good news: I received the replacement lifting arm and put it on last night with absolutely no issues.

Thanks again to all who commented, as it was a relief to know I had other options if a search on the auction site came up empty.

And for anyone else who might be dealing with a similar issue, KHB sells the entire lifting arm assembly, and Kevin did offer to sell me just the 1 piece I needed (after I'd already bought the part elsewhere). So check with them first!