Guys - a great friend (now deceased) from Habitat gave me this 18" laser level and after five years the batteries have finally pooped out. I cannot figure out how to remove the batteries. At one end is a round ribbed brass cap(you can see that I have scarred it with pliers trying to loosen), which looks like it should cover the battery compartment. I have really tried hard with pliers and cannot get it to loosen. Below the brass cap is the laser light with a nut and a brass insert but I suspect that just adjusts the laser light; some gentle pressure did not get the nut to loosen either.

Does anyone have any idea how to get this thing apart? Should I just apply more pressure on the round brass cap with pliers - not a very elegant tool for this application but do not know what else to use.

It is branded Sean & Stephen Corp out of ZongShan City, China. sn11156072

See pics.

Thx.

Attached Thumbnails

   

Here are instructions, including battery change, for a similar Harbor Freight level that is made by Sean & Stephen Corp.:


http://images.harborfreight.com/manuals/90000-90999/90980.pdf


Might help you.

Try a blend of 50/50 acetone and ATF applied with a brush. Let it soak, lather, rinse and repeat.

Ughh, dissimilar metals (especially those cheap Chinese alloys) combined with time, moisture and temperature changes make for a bad situation. Should you be lucky enough to get the cap off and the batteries haven't corroded the contacts away, be sure to apply dielectric lube to the contacts and anti-seize to the threads.

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Thanks, guys. Mine looks a lot like the one in the manual but the end is different. I am guessing that the brass cap is corroded and I will just have to fight it off.

Appreciate the help. Guess I will start with WD40 or something like that.

Kroil

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84 Euro 240D 4spd. 220.5k sold
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1985 F150 XLT 4x4, 351W with 270k miles, hay hauler
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If the batteries are exploded inside (they probably are) I like to drill & tap them, then pull with a slide hammer (threaded rod & a big socket).

FYI, lithium AA & AAA batteries don't leak. Alkalines(all brands) always eventually leak.

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That is interesting. Starting with WD or Kroil first.

Then remove the dylithium crystals.

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Don't be ridiculous! Without a sonic screwdriver he's risking an imbalance of the magnetic shield separating the matter/anti-matter flux! Good Lord Jim, He's a mechanic, not a doctor.

https://www.amazon.com/Doctor-Who-11th-Sonic-Screwdriver/dp/B003FHXMDC

(Yeah, yeah, I know, the "sonic screwdriver" belongs to Dr. Who but I can't remember what Scotty called that tuning fork looking do-hickey he used to reverse the flux flow)

__________________
“Whatever story you're telling, it will be more interesting if, at the end you add, "and then everything burst into flames.”
― Brian P. Cleary, You Oughta Know By Now

For what those things cost, & for all the hassle to remove the batts, & for how much you value your time, & it still might not work when all is said and done, just buy a new one, , , ,

Had one 'spinner' laser with visible beam, gave it to a local thrift store, took up too much space with case, these are on top shelf outta the way "batteries removed"

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Yes, that for sure makes sense.