A number of us experienced ED50s breaking in half along the main body seam that runs vertically through the scope. I have also seen reports elsewhere on the web. I love my replaced ED50 otherwise; have compared it to the latest 50mm Opticron and preferred the ED50, and am now committed to making the ED50 work until something substantially better comes along.
It seemed to me that epoxying the seam would be a good thing to do, so I did. I masked off the seam about a half inch offset on both sides. I mixed some clear two part fast dry epoxy (Gorilla Glue brand), and applied it with the little mixer thing that came with the package. I was careful to keep the scope in motion, and brushed down a couple of runs that formed. The epoxy formed a nice thickened edge leading up to the tape edge. After I completed application of the epoxy, I spun the scope axially in my hands for about three minutes, and then removed the masking tape. I had not really used my fingernails to get the tape tight along the masked edge, so a little epoxy intruded underneath, but mostly it was a clean line. I continued spinning the scope axially for about another ten minutes, and it seemed like the epoxy was pretty set. I put the scope down and the epoxy is now hardening up.
This was a very satisfying effort for a half hour's work. I am pretty confident this scope will not break in half.
It seemed to me that epoxying the seam would be a good thing to do, so I did. I masked off the seam about a half inch offset on both sides. I mixed some clear two part fast dry epoxy (Gorilla Glue brand), and applied it with the little mixer thing that came with the package. I was careful to keep the scope in motion, and brushed down a couple of runs that formed. The epoxy formed a nice thickened edge leading up to the tape edge. After I completed application of the epoxy, I spun the scope axially in my hands for about three minutes, and then removed the masking tape. I had not really used my fingernails to get the tape tight along the masked edge, so a little epoxy intruded underneath, but mostly it was a clean line. I continued spinning the scope axially for about another ten minutes, and it seemed like the epoxy was pretty set. I put the scope down and the epoxy is now hardening up.
This was a very satisfying effort for a half hour's work. I am pretty confident this scope will not break in half.