Two filters stuck together.

MyCameraEye · Mar 6, 2006

Normally I am posting answers in this forum bu today I need a solution.

I have two fairly expensive filters jammed together. A 77mm Nikon UV and a B+W 77mm Polarizer. As you may know, the B+W is a very slim filter and has nearly nothing to grab onto to try to unscrew it from the Nikon filter and being it is a polarizer, the outside ring rotates freely so I am really stuck here. I have tried kitchen rubber gloves to get a good grip on them both and tried to turn with all my might but it would not budge.

Scott

Alpha · Mar 6, 2006

try needle-nose pliers?

MyCameraEye · Mar 6, 2006

Errr I think this would be a last option. There must be a way to get them apart with out using tools that could slip and cause damage.

df3photo · Mar 6, 2006

have you tried to spray it with a silicon spray? or some kind of lubricant? or tap it lightly (as not to break them) on the side on a table or something maybe that will jar em loose.
maybe if you put a bit of cloth or something on the end of the needle nose (if you choose to go that way) it wont damage it as much.
hmm... good luck. let us know how you figure it out.

KMac · Mar 6, 2006

I would try a rubber strap wrench. You also may want to try running the filters under hot water. The expansion may loosen things up a bit and the water would act as a temporary lubricant.

Hope this helps,
Kevin

crawdaddio · Mar 6, 2006

What he said^^. I would use some good lubricant--tri flow is great, silicon based, you can get it at hardware stores. Use the straw nozzle to really get it to the threads. Warm water and gentle rapping on the edges would help too. I would use 2 strap wrenches:

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00945570000

Torus34 · Mar 6, 2006

1. WD40. Then try.

2. Put into freezer. Then try.

Both are non-destructive.

DestinDave · Mar 6, 2006

Soak them in a warm/hot bath with a little bit of dish detergent. The soap will work into the threads and act as a lube but will also rinse off cleanly.

Oldfireguy · Mar 6, 2006

They used to make a plastic filter wrench years ago. Don't know if they still do.

Oscar Mueller · Mar 6, 2006

Put the two of them in the freezer over night. That should do it, if not, run some hot water on the filter with the female threads.

MyCameraEye · Mar 6, 2006

Torus34 said:
1. WD40. Then try.

2. Put into freezer. Then try.

Both are non-destructive.

I like this option the best. I will try this one first and let you know how it turns out.

Scott

MyCameraEye · Mar 10, 2006

I was about to put the filters in the freezer just when I got them apart. I said I tried some rubber (yellow) kitchen gloves but I also had some latex gloves I use for field dressing when I'm hunting so I decided to pull a pair out of the box and give it one last go. After a few trys, I managed to get the two filters seperated.

Scott

kelox · Mar 10, 2006

Congrats on getting them apart.

df3photo · Mar 10, 2006

WAY TO GO! all that and none of us helped...

JTHphoto · Mar 10, 2006

df3photo said:
WAY TO GO! all that and none of us helped...

yeah, but some good ideas in here for the next person that has this problem...

i learned the hardway not to put two filters together, but i may try again with solutions like this... being impatient, i opted for the pliers. it worked but I was planning on throwing my UV filter away anyway because it was cheap and a different brand than the rest of filters...