My first lens dissembly, tips?

[Tristin]

[richardHaw]

jesus! what a close up! 

it might be just a set screw (-) with the slot painted over with paint. Nikon uses paint to cover up the set screws. you can try and carefully scratch the surface and see if it is indeed a (-) set screw.

[Tristin]

I looks like the screwhead is on the inside actually.  You can see that the helicoid is not accessible, and I see no way to remove it 

[richardHaw]

well, for something like that, the screws are probably under that rubber grip 

have you read my tear-downs? this lens should have a lot in common with the 85mm and 55mm that i posted in my blog.

[Tristin]

I removed the rubber grip and there is a strip of tape running around the barrel under it.  Is this safe to remove and does it need to be replaced?

[Gary]

Good Luck, man.

[Tristin]

I cut a small area of tape out to access the screw and it is indeed a set screw.  What tool do I need for this?

[richardHaw]

that tape is for aligning the infinity mark 

if you look at my repair notes you will see that nikon loves using scotch tape for this part 

always remember to mark anything before you separate them!

[Tristin]

Thanks.  What tool do I use for the set screw?

[richardHaw]

just a small precision screwdriver. 
be careful. they can be fragile

[Tristin]

Yeah, their fragility surprised me.  I already stripped two screws.  Luckily they turned out to be screws I do not need to remove for this job, but I already screwed myself for the future, not feeling very good. 

[richardHaw]

have you tried reading the first few posts in my blog? they pretty much cover these things because i have been in the same mess and i dont want anybody to destgroy their lens because of that 

[Tristin]

Didn't see those posts until now.

[richardHaw]

Didn't see those posts until now.

i am going to buy some set screws this or next month. if you ruined one, i can probably give you a replacement 

[Tristin]

I didn't ruin the set screw as I do not currently have a tool to remove it.  I stripped one of the two screws that holds the aperature ring on, and one of the side facing mount screws.