wdretired
member
Reged: 11/20/12
Loc: Iowa, USA
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Tasco Telescope in Wooden Crate
#5531820 - 11/21/12 09:54 AM Attachment (30 downloads)
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I am a new member here so I hope I'm in the right place for information. I was at a "Tag Sale" and found an old telescope in a wooden box. All kinds of eyepieces and accessories so I decided to take a chance an buy it. I offered $25.00 for it and it was accepted. When I got home I found out it was a Tasco D76.2mm X f1200mm. I'm new to astronomy so I'm not sure if I got a good deal or not. The optics look good and except for a few scratches, everything looks good. It does not have an owners manual so can anyone help me find one online? I did learn that there were two models . . a 10T something and a 15T something. I'm not sure which one I have. One of the brackets seem to fit a camera but I'm not sure where to mount it near the eye piece. The wooden crate has some dings but the inside looks almost new. . . there are lots of things with it that I have no idea what they are. Help is definitely needed. Anyone that has any information would certainly be appreciated.
Edited by wdretired (11/21/12 05:24 PM)
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terraclarke
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 05/29/12
Loc: Over the river and thru the wo...
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Re: Tasco Telescope in Wooden Crate
[Re: wdretired]
#5531911 - 11/21/12 10:40 AM
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This is indeed the right place and it would appear that you got a very good deal, an excellent deal in fact. You might be able to find the manual for your scope here: http://geogdata.csun.edu/~voltaire/classics/
Welcome,
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TahoeNoob
sage
Reged: 10/31/12
Loc: Sierra Nevada
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Re: Tasco Telescope in Wooden Crate
[Re: terraclarke]
#5532153 - 11/21/12 12:25 PM
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Congratulations! Clean it up and enjoy it. 
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Mike E.
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/26/10
Loc: Moonstone Observatory
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Re: Tasco Telescope in Wooden Crate
[Re: TahoeNoob]
#5532165 - 11/21/12 12:30 PM
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Welcome to the forum. Please post some photos when you can.
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CharlieB
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/11/07
Loc: Southern NH
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Re: Tasco Telescope in Wooden Crate
[Re: wdretired]
#5532216 - 11/21/12 12:51 PM
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Welcome and congratulations! You have a top shelf scope at a bargain basement price. If you need help on getting this scope going, you came to the right place. The 10TE and 15TE are pretty much the same scope, but the 15TE has a motor drive to counteract the rotation of the earth so what's in the eyepiece stays there.
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tim53
Postmaster
Reged: 12/17/04
Loc: Highland Park, CA
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Re: Tasco Telescope in Wooden Crate
[Re: CharlieB]
#5532256 - 11/21/12 01:15 PM
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Holy cow! What a way to get into classic scopes! Terrific price on a real performer!
Can't wait to see pics!
-Tim.
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wdretired
member
Reged: 11/20/12
Loc: Iowa, USA
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Re: Tasco Telescope in Wooden Crate
[Re: tim53]
#5532726 - 11/21/12 05:47 PM Attachment (24 downloads)
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I've taken a couple of photos of it. I don't see any motor or connections so I'm assuming it's a 10TE???
Edited by wdretired (11/21/12 05:54 PM)
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desertrefugee
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/06/07
Loc: Arizona
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Re: Tasco Telescope in Wooden Crate
[Re: wdretired]
#5532756 - 11/21/12 06:14 PM
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Yeah. And for $25 bucks. One of the better deals reported here. They have been known to fetch $300 and up.
Ask me how I know...
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sgorton99
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/30/08
Loc: Wisconsin, Madison
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Re: Tasco Telescope in Wooden Crate
[Re: desertrefugee]
#5532758 - 11/21/12 06:17 PM
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Very nice, looks to be in good shape!
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pogobbler
sage
Reged: 09/30/08
Loc: Central Indiana, USA
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Re: Tasco Telescope in Wooden Crate
[Re: desertrefugee]
#5532760 - 11/21/12 06:18 PM
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C'mon now, we need a picture of the wooden box, too. :-)
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bob midiri
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 06/17/04
Loc: pa 19320
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Re: Tasco Telescope in Wooden Crate
[Re: wdretired]
#5532780 - 11/21/12 06:29 PM Attachment (17 downloads)
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Congrats on scoring just a fine classic as your first!! It will surprise you because the images will be extraordinary!! Royal Astro manufactured these scopes in Japan, to very high quality standards. I own its little brother the 7TE, which in its own right is a fantastic scope!!
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TahoeNoob
sage
Reged: 10/31/12
Loc: Sierra Nevada
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Re: Tasco Telescope in Wooden Crate
[Re: bob midiri]
#5532801 - 11/21/12 06:47 PM
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What a beautiful telescope. It's impossible for me to decide if I like the blue, grey, or white ones the best. For me, the wood tripod is the only way to go. They're so much prettier that way!
I read somewhere that all of the 76mm scopes are Royal Astro scopes. Knowing if that's true, or not, sure would make searching for one of these things easier. Is it?
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desertrefugee
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/06/07
Loc: Arizona
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Re: Tasco Telescope in Wooden Crate
[Re: TahoeNoob]
#5532817 - 11/21/12 07:00 PM
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Not all. SYW made 76mm f16s. There were a couple of others, but I don't recall who they were.
It is fair to say that MOST of the 76mm Japanese instruments will be of RA manufacture.
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CharlieB
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/11/07
Loc: Southern NH
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Re: Tasco Telescope in Wooden Crate
[Re: wdretired]
#5532836 - 11/21/12 07:20 PM Attachment (12 downloads)
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I've taken a couple of photos of it. I don't see any motor or connections so I'm assuming it's a 10TE???
Yup, a 10TE. Those mounts are tricky to get adjusted after a rebuild. If it's working OK, I'd leave it be. Of course, if you are like me, you simply can't resist the urge to tinker. I have three of exactly the same mount and I still don't have the knack of getting it perfectly adjusted. In any case, you will be pleased with the view from that scope. Here's a photo of this particular mount I bought with a motor drive before I cleaned it up.
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CharlieB
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/11/07
Loc: Southern NH
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Re: Tasco Telescope in Wooden Crate
[Re: CharlieB]
#5532851 - 11/21/12 07:35 PM Attachment (17 downloads)
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I also noticed something odd about your mount. The RA cover plate has five screws and a locking lever. On every mount like yours I've seen the locking lever is in the bottom screw slot, not in the top. If you take the cover off by removing those screws and locking lever, you'll see a split ring that acts as a brake drum for the RA. There is a small brass cylinder that has a wedge-shaped tip that presses the split ring outward and this piece of brass gets depressed by rotating the locking lever. You can see it in this photo. Yours may be built with that device inverted, but I have never seen one like that. You might wish to check yours against this photo. As long as you have the locking lever pressing against the brass wedge, it probably doesn't matter if it's on the top or the bottom.
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Stargoat
super member
Reged: 04/10/05
Loc: Illinois
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Re: Tasco Telescope in Wooden Crate
[Re: CharlieB]
#5532861 - 11/21/12 07:43 PM
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I also noticed something odd about your mount. The RA cover plate has five screws and a locking lever. On every mount like yours I've seen the locking lever is in the bottom screw slot, not in the top. If you take the cover off by removing those screws and locking lever, you'll see a split ring that acts as a brake drum for the RA. There is a small brass cylinder that has a wedge-shaped tip that presses the split ring outward and this piece of brass gets depressed by rotating the locking lever. You can see it in this photo. Yours may be built with that device inverted, but I have never seen one like that. You might wish to check yours against this photo.
I believe that the mount just needs to be re-oriented so the polar axis is resting over the angled adjustment screw. That will place the locking lever on the bottom. I've seen other photos of mounts that look this way until they are set up correctely. Being that is is the first time he has set up one of these mounts, it is easy to do without having a manual for it.
Stephen
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CharlieB
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/11/07
Loc: Southern NH
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Re: Tasco Telescope in Wooden Crate
[Re: Stargoat]
#5532875 - 11/21/12 07:50 PM Attachment (8 downloads)
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You are right that the RA needs to rest on the support, but the lever will still be in the wrong place. But as I mentioned, it will work where it is as long as the locking lever is working against the brass spreader. I am at work, but I think the casting is different (raised)for where the locking lever goes. The top screw which connects to the split ring has just a countersunk casting like the other screws. The lever should be closest to the counterweight shaft.
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albert1
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/01/07
Loc: Southern New Jersey
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Re: Tasco Telescope in Wooden Crate
[Re: Stargoat]
#5532889 - 11/21/12 08:02 PM Attachment (10 downloads)
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Very nice first Classic - congrats. You'll enjoy that one.
Hey guys, doesn't that one look like it may have the tube extension fully retracted? If so, you my friend, have even a rarer classic.
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albert1
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/01/07
Loc: Southern New Jersey
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Re: Tasco Telescope in Wooden Crate
[Re: albert1]
#5532896 - 11/21/12 08:06 PM
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Here's a link to more pictures
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wdretired
member
Reged: 11/20/12
Loc: Iowa, USA
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Re: Tasco Telescope in Wooden Crate
[Re: albert1]
#5533098 - 11/21/12 10:56 PM
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I sure appreciate all the information that you guys have given me. I took the telescope out tonight and aimed it at the moon. It sure was bright but I had trouble getting it to focus. Is this a common problem or am I just showing my ignorance? Not knowing anything about telescopes I tried it straight and with a 90 degree elbow. I guess maybe I need to head to the beginners section here instead of jumping in with the big boys. Again thanks for all the information. Oh!, one other question. Are you suppose to use a filter on the lenses or is that built into the lenses itself?
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desertrefugee
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/06/07
Loc: Arizona
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Re: Tasco Telescope in Wooden Crate
[Re: wdretired]
#5533138 - 11/21/12 11:37 PM
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Is your problem insufficient in-focus or out-focus? If out-focus, is there a drawtube? It will be secured by a thumbscrew just behind the focuser. The knobs control fine focus, the drawtube is for rough focus.
...unless as previously mentioned, yours is the more scarce non-drawtube type. If it is, the focuser should have very long travel. And if that's the case and it's still not coming into focus, I'm stumped.
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albert1
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/01/07
Loc: Southern New Jersey
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Re: Tasco Telescope in Wooden Crate
[Re: wdretired]
#5533347 - 11/22/12 03:48 AM
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It sure was bright but I had trouble getting it to focus.
All the more reason I think you may have the telescope as in the photo I posted. See if you can pull and/or twist the black focuser drawtube out like you see in my pic. It may be stuck in there from not being used for a while.
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Stargoat
super member
Reged: 04/10/05
Loc: Illinois
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Re: Tasco Telescope in Wooden Crate
[Re: albert1]
#5533372 - 11/22/12 05:01 AM Attachment (8 downloads)
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Very nice first Classic - congrats. You'll enjoy that one.
Hey guys, doesn't that one look like it may have the tube extension fully retracted? If so, you my friend, have even a rarer classic.
Hello Albert, as I was going thru my data base of 75 or so Tasco 10/15TE scopes, that was the first thought that came thru to my mind as well. I do not see the thumb screw to tighten the slide out inner draw tube. Therefore I bet it must be the very early late 50's or very early 60-61. The 1962 Tasco catalog shows the 10TE with the later inner chrome sliding draw tube that everyone is familiar with. In fact the 62 catalog is still showing the larger more square wood box that your scope used. The catalog picture may have been from 61 or earlier for all I know in the 62 catalog.
So I'm betting that wdretired has the same box or "wooden crate" as he calls it.
Of interest with respect to serial numbers are that I will now have three (assuming wdretired's scope is the older pull out extension style) serial numbers that are 9704XX. I've attached a picture from my undated late 1950's thru 1961 at the latest catalog which advertises the introduction of the 10TE to the United States which matches these scopes. I can only assume that these must be the earliest 10TE models that were produced by Tasco. Could that mean that these scopes are from 1959 give or take a year, that is what I have come to believe.
Note that Tasco started using serial numbers 9705XX and up for the styrofoam insert boxed scopes that are the 10/15TE-5 models which I believe to be for the years 1969 and later.
Stephen
Edited by Stargoat (11/22/12 05:05 AM)
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wdretired
member
Reged: 11/20/12
Loc: Iowa, USA
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Re: Tasco Telescope in Wooden Crate
[Re: Stargoat]
#5533650 - 11/22/12 10:06 AM Attachment (13 downloads)
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I sure appreciate your patience with a truly beginner. I will check to see if the "focuser" will move/pullout. I like the fact that I can unscrew one screw and take the whole telescope tube out without having to dismantle any of the long viewing tube. I'm also thinking I'll take some more photos because without a manual, I have no idea what any of the actual descriptions are. You guys have me really excited about this. I've never had anything "Classic" before. One more question. How can I clean the eye pieces. Are they suppose to come apart to clean? I noticed some dust on what seems like the inside of the eye piece. In the "Spare Parts", are a couple of small glass/metal rings that look like they belong to the inside of an eyepiece so I was thinking that someone was "Customizing" their own eye pieces. I'll try to take more pictures later. Thanks guys for all your help.
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TahoeNoob
sage
Reged: 10/31/12
Loc: Sierra Nevada
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Re: Tasco Telescope in Wooden Crate
[Re: wdretired]
#5533678 - 11/22/12 10:19 AM
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Before you start taking things apart, ask questions. Lots of questions. (For example, there's a thread around here, somewhere, that explains how to completely overhaul your EQ mount.)
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wdretired
member
Reged: 11/20/12
Loc: Iowa, USA
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Re: Tasco Telescope in Wooden Crate
[Re: TahoeNoob]
#5533700 - 11/22/12 10:36 AM Attachment (12 downloads)
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Thank you for the information. I sure will look for that thread. Some wanted to see the box the telescope came in so I'm putting up a photo of it. What are the two blocks of wood with the felt on the edges? It's got me scratching my head.
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wdretired
member
Reged: 11/20/12
Loc: Iowa, USA
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Re: Tasco Telescope in Wooden Crate
[Re: wdretired]
#5533708 - 11/22/12 10:40 AM Attachment (12 downloads)
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I would like to know what the flat black metal thing is here that has a thumb screw in it. Does this belong with the telescope? The hole is almost the size of the shaft holding the balance weight.
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Larrythebrewer
super member
Reged: 02/14/09
Loc: Cincinnati, Oh
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Re: Tasco Telescope in Wooden Crate
[Re: wdretired]
#5533928 - 11/22/12 01:01 PM Attachment (9 downloads)
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That's for solar projection viewing, it attaches to that part in your box that looks like a lollipop & that in turn attaches to the draw tube
I agree with Albert about yours being the rarer model, & more of your focuser should slide out, where it meets the white optical tube
Edited by Larrythebrewer (11/22/12 03:34 PM)
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wdretired
member
Reged: 11/20/12
Loc: Iowa, USA
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Re: Tasco Telescope in Wooden Crate
[Re: Larrythebrewer]
#5534331 - 11/22/12 07:01 PM Attachment (12 downloads)
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Solar Projection Viewing . . . I guess I have some learning to do before I get into that. I took a picture of the slide out tube I think you were talking about. I slid it all the way out and I still could not get it to focus. At this point I can't help but believe that maybe the eye pieces aren't all there. I took a photo of two little metal/glass barrels (above photo). Are they suppose to be screwed into the eye piece? I've tried screwing them in one of the eye piece (and it seems to fit) but I'm just guessing. Can you tell me what size eye piece I have? I think I'll just order a new one and start from scratch if I can find the correct size. What power (mm) should I get for viewing the moon?
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sgorton99
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/30/08
Loc: Wisconsin, Madison
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Re: Tasco Telescope in Wooden Crate
[Re: wdretired]
#5534337 - 11/22/12 07:07 PM
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Do you have a "regular" 90 degree or right angle shaped diagonal to place the eyepiece in? What you have is for giving you a correct right/left side terrestrial diagonal. I would advise low power for the moon, like a 26 or 32mm. The higher the eyepiece number, the lower the magnification.
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TahoeNoob
sage
Reged: 10/31/12
Loc: Sierra Nevada
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Re: Tasco Telescope in Wooden Crate
[Re: sgorton99]
#5534398 - 11/22/12 08:16 PM
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Call me crazy, but I think they're saying the black tube, that the finder is mounted to, might slide out too. If that's true, you might get the extra distance you need to get your scope to focus better. (Take a look at the picture that was posted earlier. You'll see that the finder is further back from the main (white) tube than yours is.)
Don't break anything. I'm not 100 percent sure that I know what I'm talking about!
EDIT: I'm talking about the picture posted by Albert on the previous page. The one with the hockey goal in the background. (Notice the extended black sleeve that has been slipped out. Do you have one of those?)
Edited by TahoeNoob (11/22/12 08:19 PM)
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greju
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/13/05
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Re: Tasco Telescope in Wooden Crate
[Re: wdretired]
#5534403 - 11/22/12 08:19 PM Attachment (11 downloads)
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This picture may help. Grab a hold of the finderscope stalk(not shown here) and gently pull to the rear to achieve rough focus. You have a classic!
Edited by greju (11/22/12 09:04 PM)
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wdretired
member
Reged: 11/20/12
Loc: Iowa, USA
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Re: Tasco Telescope in Wooden Crate
[Re: greju]
#5534517 - 11/22/12 09:45 PM
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Thank you for the information. I was able to get mine to pull out so I'm thinking that will cure the problem. It's raining outside or I'd be out side testing it out. Another question I have. With the smaller eye pieces these telescopes have, what is the best method of photographing what you see? Are imagers the best way to go or can you hook up digital cameras to the lens?
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Stargoat
super member
Reged: 04/10/05
Loc: Illinois
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Re: Tasco Telescope in Wooden Crate
[Re: CharlieB]
#5536080 - 11/23/12 06:59 PM Attachment (5 downloads)
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Quote:
You are right that the RA needs to rest on the support, but the lever will still be in the wrong place. But as I mentioned, it will work where it is as long as the locking lever is working against the brass spreader. I am at work, but I think the casting is different (raised)for where the locking lever goes. The top screw which connects to the split ring has just a countersunk casting like the other screws. The lever should be closest to the counterweight shaft.
Hello Charlie and wdretired,
Here is my 10TE mount that I reversed the Polar Axis to match the orientation that wdretired is showing in his picture. In my opinion his mount is identical to all of the 10TE mounts, he just needs to rotate the RA and Dec Axis to have the Polar Axis resting correctely on the Polar Axis angled rest stop bolt.
Note: Before rotating the mount to the correct orientation, you should do so without the scope or counterweight. You need to have the Polar Axis housing of the mount resting on the rest stop bolt to help support the weight of the scope and counterweight. If not, then you are relying only on the Polar Axis Clamp Screw to hold the scope in position when you set your latitude for Polaris.
I'll post a picture next of my mount reorientated correctly to rest on the Polar Axis rest stop bolt.
Stephen
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Stargoat
super member
Reged: 04/10/05
Loc: Illinois
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Re: Tasco Telescope in Wooden Crate
[Re: Stargoat]
#5536088 - 11/23/12 07:02 PM Attachment (5 downloads)
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Here is photo showing my 10TE mount rotated back to the correct orientation so the Polar Axis is now resting on the rest stop bolt.
Stephen
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Stargoat
super member
Reged: 04/10/05
Loc: Illinois
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Re: Tasco Telescope in Wooden Crate
[Re: Stargoat]
#5536094 - 11/23/12 07:04 PM Attachment (7 downloads)
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Last, here is a close up showing the Polar Axis rest stop bolt supporting the weight of the Polar Axis housing.
Stephen
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