Where to get a ballbearing for aperture click stop?

okto · Jul 3, 2008

I misplaced the ball bearing that serves as the click-stop mechanism on my Pentax-M 50/2 lens; does anyone know where to get a ball bearing that small? It's probably about 1-2mm in diameter.

veriwide · Jul 3, 2008

I've had good luck with these guys for locating small parts for my cameras. They are called Small Parts, Inc.

http://www.smallparts.com/

Patrick

Nicholas Lindan · Jul 3, 2008

okto said:
ball bearing about 1-2mm in diameter.

If you have a pile of old electronic junk (Pre 1980) they can be often found in old selector switches, potentiometers and tuning capacitors.

And if you have an old Kodak folder with a 'Ball Bearing' shutter you are in luck.

Old junker lenses would be another source: robbing Peter and all that.

A good hardware store may have a selection in the nuts & bolts section.

And, as mentioned, Small Parts, Inc. may have what you are looking for. If not try McMaster-Carr.

mgb74 · Jul 3, 2008

You might be surprised at what a good (i.e. "old style") hardware store might have.

Have you thought about trying a "BB"? May be too soft for long use, but work for a while.

CJBo001 · Jul 3, 2008

Bicycle shops always have ball bearings for repairing various bicycle bearings. The one you need might be smaller than what they have, but its worth a try. Good luck.

srs5694 · Jul 3, 2008

I've heard of people using the balls from ball-point pens in such applications. I'm not 100% positive it was for the aperture ring on a lens, though (it might have been in a shutter speed dial or some such), and even if it was, the size needed might depend on the lens. Just be sure to clean the ball thoroughly before getting it anywhere near your lens!

Mike Kennedy · Jul 4, 2008

I have one if you want it.Drop me an email.

Mike

Christopher Walrath · Jul 4, 2008

Yeah, those little suckers pop right on out, don't they.

Ed Sukach · Jul 4, 2008

Christopher Walrath said:
Yeah, those little suckers pop right on out, don't they.

I wouldn't say so. However. I've extracted *many* from ball point pens. They are, generally, hardened, so careful use of a fine file is effective.

Most that I've encountred have been 1 mm in diameter ... Those OK?

okto · Jul 4, 2008

Well, since my first post I managed to jam the replacement ball bearing in its slot, and it's not coming out. Good thing this was a cheap lens, cos it's toast now.
Thanks for all the help though!

Russ - SVP · Jul 5, 2008

okto said:
I misplaced the ball bearing that serves as the click-stop mechanism on my Pentax-M 50/2 lens; does anyone know where to get a ball bearing that small? It's probably about 1-2mm in diameter.

.05mm in size. Micro-tools carries them.

Q.G. · Jul 5, 2008

Kiron Kid said:
.05mm in size. Micro-tools carries them.

A ball of .05 mm is very, very small...

Ming of Mongo · Dec 9, 2013

I'm reading this a few years late, but thanks for the ball point pen idea! Saved the day.

Xmas · Dec 9, 2013

okto said:
Well, since my first post I managed to jam the replacement ball bearing in its slot, and it's not coming out. Good thing this was a cheap lens, cos it's toast now.
Thanks for all the help though!

Drill to side of ball with a 1mm Morse drill stick in spike and lever out, you can live without click stops.
Or salve hole and start again.
Any repair person would want a lens for parts.
If you have a scrap computer disc drive they normally have a few small balls.

Europan · Dec 9, 2013

My tool dealer has them per ten, hundreds or thousands.

http://www.brw.ch/shop/produkte/det...=&t_Aktionen=&t_MyTools=&t_OurTools=&t_Node=0

David Lyga · Dec 9, 2013

I believe that this particular one is one of the larger, perhaps 1mm diameter or a bit more, for this Pentax lens.

In the future, when removing that aperture ring, do so in a clear food storage bag so that nothing goes flying.

Nota Bene for all: for literally more than a decade I have been saving tiny screws, ball bearings, tiny springs, etc, that I have garnered though junk bodies and lenses that I am not able to fix. I save these precious tiny parts in small, plastic coin rolls that have a screw on cap. This is probably the most valuable source of parts that I have and I recommend that, before you through anything out, you scavange these tiny parts. They WILL save your day. - David Lyga

gleaf · Dec 9, 2013

If you haven't found some drop me a PM with your address.
I have 100 new 1 mm sitting unused.
Easy to zip-lock 5 or 10 in an envelope and send them your way.

lxdude · Dec 9, 2013

David Lyga said:
I believe that this particular one is one of the larger, perhaps 1mm diameter or a bit more, for this Pentax lens.

In the future, when removing that aperture ring, do so in a clear food storage bag so that nothing goes flying.

Nota Bene for all: for literally more than a decade I have been saving tiny screws, ball bearings, tiny springs, etc, that I have garnered though junk bodies and lenses that I am not able to fix. I save these precious tiny parts in small, plastic coin rolls that have a screw on cap. This is probably the most valuable source of parts that I have and I recommend that, before you through anything out, you scavange these tiny parts. They WILL save your day. - David Lyga

Great advice, David. I always do the same.

gone · Dec 9, 2013

Thanks for that tip David. I always lay everything out on a nice clean rag or towel before taking anything like that apart, but it's of scant help if something flies off, as has happened more than once. I actually found one of those little bearings once when it flew off into the shag carpet. What's the odds of me doing that again? Nada. From now on, in the bag she goes first hand.

David Lyga · Dec 11, 2013

Coarse rags or towels also help to prevent ball bearings from rolling away.

I forgot: is the 2/50 pentax the M42 or the PK mount? The PK mount one has a tiny, tiny ball bearing that GOES FLYING when you take off that aperture ring. The older, M42 lens has a LARGE ball bearing, maybe 2 ml even, and is easier to manage.

If my walls had memory and vocal chords they would be able to recant the swearing that I have done over the years about these utter frustrations. - David Lyga

Where to get a ballbearing for aperture click stop?

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