Eclipse Solar Filter Holder for Binoculars, Quick Snap On Release w Sleeves OD42

Hold your filters tightly and safely with the option to quickly remove and replace the holder assembly based on your own needs.

This filter holder for binoculars solidly grips via a sleeve, designed for TPU or other soft material. A solid threaded inner and outer ring grip the filter material. The solid rings then snap on and off the sleeve via clips.

Designed for OD 42 binoculars, these may be scaled for other sizes or equipment. The binoculars in this example are 51mm in barrel outer diameter and there is some built-in wiggle room inside the sleeve.

Accommodates filter material diameter up to 56mm.

The sleeves:

• TPU recommended. Example uses 95A.
• The Short option is the easiest to fit, but also the least secure.
• The Tight option is the toughest fit, but is very secure.
• The Flexy option is a balance between easy fit and security, but it's a bit more bulky.
• Sleeves can be modified (even with scissors) to fit your own equipment.
• Example uses Tight option with custom cutouts for these binoculars.

The ring assembly:

1. It's best to practice first with foil or paper cutouts instead of the actual filters (example photo is just aluminum foil).
2. The outer ring is set up to print without supports. Because of this there is an adapter ring that will be the first to go inside. You'll notice the pattern on both faces match. Recommended to print the adapter out of TPU.
3. Next the filter goes on top of the adapter.
4. Add clamp or gaskets:
   • If you are using a thin film filter and you want to set it permanently and securely: 
     1. Print the ridged inner clamp and insert with the ridge facing towards the filter. This will solidly clamp the material, so you might practice with paper or foil first. No other gasket is necessary.
   • If you are using a thicker material, or you are sandwiching the thin thin film between thicker materials, or in the case you are using a thin film material but might want to remove it again without damage (albeit less securely held):
     1. You can print a gasket (1mm and 0.5mm gaskets provided) out of soft material to add next. Then add another gasket of solid material on top of that. The ridged inner clamp will not be used.
5. Finally, screw the inner ring into the outer ring. Be careful not to squeeze the rings while tightening or you may wrinkle or distort the filter material. It may be easier to perform this step with the holder snapped onto the mounted sleeve.
6. The filter material should be held securely and should not wobble or move. If it does, check to make sure the rings are not cross-threaded. If this does not fix the issue, you may add more thickness with solid gaskets and try again.

Print on a smooth plate if possible as textures will increase friction where parts should move smoothly.

The gaskets are modeled with a tab to help remove them from the baseplate, which needs to be trimmed off before assembly.

Use care when printing the threads, especially the outer ring. I printed these at 40% of max speed.

Be safe! Use approved filters for solar observation and always test your filter setup before looking at the sun.

Please let me know if you have any questions or suggestions. Thank you~