Telescope Reviews: Another RV-6 Find!

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Equipment Discussions >> Classic Telescopes

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amicus sidera
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/14/11

Loc: East of the Sun, West of the M...

Re: Another RV-6 Find! new

[Re: Datapanic]
#5437880 - 09/24/12 11:12 AM

Quote:

Edit: there is also a "6 RPH" after the "3W"

Yup, 1/10 rpm motor driving a 144-tooth gear. Glad to hear you got it working; while it's rare for the motor itself to fail, the gearbox is another story. I would strongly suggest lubricating the gears and shafts before running it for any length of time.

A little light machine oil should do the trick; if the gearbox is sealed, you might find this CN thread useful:

Classic Drive Motors Aren't So Scary

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trainsktg
Post Laureate

Reged: 08/23/05

Loc: Pacific Northwest

Re: Another RV-6 Find! new

[Re: amicus sidera]
#5451171 - 10/02/12 12:02 AM

A good price, and its very good restorable condition. The little motors are champs. A motor for a basket case RV-6 I got for free was all seized up too, and with a little judicious cleaning it also fired right up. You're going to love it.

Keith

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astro140
super member

Reged: 01/28/08

Loc: Mayhill, New Mexico

Re: Another RV-6 Find! new

[Re: apfever]
#5452935 - 10/03/12 12:21 AM Attachment (35 downloads)

Quote:

The Lattitude clamp is probably from another scope, I could be wrong. I've never seen anything other that a cap bolt.

Is this the lattitude clamp you are refering to? This is original to my RV6 purchased circa 1960. Both the manufacturers ID plate on the mount and OTA have no serial number....just stamped M RV6.
Steve
NM

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Mr Magoo
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 11/05/05

Loc: Franklin, Indiana

Re: Another RV-6 Find! new

[Re: astro140]
#5453075 - 10/03/12 05:26 AM

The oldest models did have that clamp bolt. You can see it in some of the old ads. Wish they had kept that one. I think they went out about the same time that they quit using the metal tags.

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Mr Magoo
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 11/05/05

Loc: Franklin, Indiana

Re: Another RV-6 Find! new

[Re: astro140]
#5453079 - 10/03/12 05:36 AM

You can see it here in this RV-8 ad from the 70's. This is at the Yahoo group site so I'm not sure if you can view it if your not a member. If your not already, it's time to join. RV-8 ad

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Datapanic
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/17/09

Loc: Tucson, Arizona

Re: Another RV-6 Find! new

[Re: Mr Magoo]
#5454540 - 10/04/12 03:14 AM

I think I'll leave the gearbox alone - it purrs just fine as it is and I don't think it has any tell-tail signs of problems in it (of course I could be wrong!).

I have started to disassemble the scope, but wont be able to finish that up until this weekend. One thing I can't figure out is how to take the 2-piece RA circle apart so I can lube it up. It seems to be pressed together or something. Also, the RA and Dec shafts are in tight to their housings. I can probably clean up the shafts without removing them, but it would still be nice to take it completely apart.

Overall, my first impression of an RV-6 is that these were crafted quite well. This is my first opportunity to see one close up!

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Datapanic
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/17/09

Loc: Tucson, Arizona

Re: Another RV-6 Find! new

[Re: Datapanic]
#5456815 - 10/05/12 04:25 PM Attachment (26 downloads)

Anyone know how this thing comes apart? It needs some lube on the inside and an overall cleanup...

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Mr Magoo
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 11/05/05

Loc: Franklin, Indiana

Re: Another RV-6 Find! new

[Re: Datapanic]
#5467563 - 10/12/12 11:49 PM

I don't think they come apart. I have looked and looked at mine trying to figure out how they are made. Anyone have a clue as to how this was assembled?

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tim53
Postmaster

Reged: 12/17/04

Loc: Highland Park, CA

Re: Another RV-6 Find! new

[Re: Mr Magoo]
#5467605 - 10/13/12 12:41 AM

It's not machined out of a single piece of bar stock?

-Tim.

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actionhac
Post Laureate

Reged: 08/09/08

Loc: WA

Re: Another RV-6 Find! new

[Re: tim53]
#5467619 - 10/13/12 12:57 AM Attachment (24 downloads)

I can't remember but isn't it 2 parts with a seam right at the tip of my red arrow?
And I thought a thumb screw locked the circle to the circle hub.

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orion61
Vendor(Clear Edge Optical)

Reged: 10/20/07

Loc: NW Iowa BURRRR

Re: Another RV-6 Find! new

[Re: actionhac]
#5467812 - 10/13/12 07:15 AM

I thought the gear box would have been rusted solid at first sight
You will be surprised when done and you put it up against a C8.. Mine shows more detail, just not as bright.
Looks like the origonal owner didn't know how to collimate the optics, just twist on the seondary.

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Compressorguy
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 03/14/09

Loc: Clayton, NC

Re: Another RV-6 Find! new

[Re: actionhac]
#5467821 - 10/13/12 07:35 AM Attachment (20 downloads)

Quote:

I can't remember but isn't it 2 parts with a seam right at the tip of my red arrow?
And I thought a thumb screw locked the circle to the circle hub.

Yes and yes.

I suppose the two pieces are just frozen together. Is there a hole for a set screw? If so, have you tried some WD-40, Kroil or PB Blaster in through the hole? If it is frozen really bad, you may have to heat it as well or try channel locks and apply some light twisting force to the two pieces. Of course, I would wrap it with cloth or electrical tape to protect from scratching it. Either way that scope is in great hands.

Mine has a set screw and came apart easily. I wonder if the design changed? Mine is later than yours, sn# 3995.

Edited by Compressorguy (10/13/12 07:53 AM)

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Compressorguy
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 03/14/09

Loc: Clayton, NC

Re: Another RV-6 Find! new

[Re: Compressorguy]
#5467836 - 10/13/12 08:03 AM Attachment (20 downloads)

Also here's an idea for some very inexpensive tube end rings. I made these from some thin aluminum strap I bought at Lowes. Just bent and polished it up with some steel wool. Plus it's completely reversible with no damage to the scope. The underside is lined with felt to protect the finish.

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Compressorguy
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 03/14/09

Loc: Clayton, NC

Re: Another RV-6 Find! new

[Re: Compressorguy]
#5467839 - 10/13/12 08:06 AM Attachment (21 downloads)

And completed

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Mr Magoo
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 11/05/05

Loc: Franklin, Indiana

Re: Another RV-6 Find! new

[Re: Compressorguy]
#5467878 - 10/13/12 08:47 AM

Those are a great idea and I copied Scott's design, but with stainless. I will be completing my restoration of my RV-8 today and that is the last thing to add.

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Datapanic
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/17/09

Loc: Tucson, Arizona

Re: Another RV-6 Find! new

[Re: Mr Magoo]
#5468686 - 10/13/12 05:43 PM

The RA Circle does turn and it does have a set screw. I just would like to get some lube in there so it has the smooth feeling when rotating it. Right now it's metal on metal.

Haven't had much time to work on it but it is mostly apart and I have paint remover, evapo-rust and black wrinkle paint for it!

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Datapanic
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/17/09

Loc: Tucson, Arizona

Re: Another RV-6 Find! new

[Re: Datapanic]
#5574944 - 12/16/12 11:00 PM Attachment (14 downloads)

So I've been kinda slacking but really, just haven't had much time to tinker with the RV-6. There is some progress though. I have the whole thing disassembled and made an inventory of all the fasteners with their dimensions. I was kind of surprised at how many parts there are to this thing as well as the design itself - the RV-6 was really well made!

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Datapanic
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/17/09

Loc: Tucson, Arizona

Re: Another RV-6 Find! new

[Re: Datapanic]
#5574948 - 12/16/12 11:04 PM Attachment (17 downloads)

It took some serious grade paint remover to take off the old wrinkle-black paint from all the parts, and even then, not all of it came of, so the remaining paint was sanded off. Then, I applied some black primer and used Eastwood's Wrinkle Black rattle can paint. This is really good stuff, but a little tricky to use - the directions say to apply 2 thick coats about 3 minutes apart. Of course, temperature and humidity play a lot in that, but mainly, it's applying the right thickness. In the end, it came out with a fine wrinkle with a tough finish. Here's the pier cap with the RA Shaft Housing, Clock Drive Back Plate and polished latitude adjustment knob.

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Datapanic
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/17/09

Loc: Tucson, Arizona

Re: Another RV-6 Find! new

[Re: Datapanic]
#5574952 - 12/16/12 11:06 PM Attachment (13 downloads)

Their Pier Column was painted with Rustoleum Hammered paint, although I didn't get much of a hammered effect with it. The legs were painted with the Eastwood's Wrinkled Black.

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Mr Magoo
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 11/05/05

Loc: Franklin, Indiana

Re: Another RV-6 Find! new

[Re: Datapanic]
#5575067 - 12/17/12 01:02 AM

The last 2 cans of Hammered paint were the same way. Not sure if they have changed the formula or what. I had to really put it on heavy to get it to "separate" and get some hammer effect. Looking good!

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