PrestonE
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/29/05
Posts: 817
Loc: Houston,Texas
|
|
Center drilling the ends.
--------------------
A few I enjoy,
and a few more in the works ;<)
|
PrestonE
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/29/05
Posts: 817
Loc: Houston,Texas
|
|
Boring with 3/8" drill.
--------------------
A few I enjoy,
and a few more in the works ;<)
|
PrestonE
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/29/05
Posts: 817
Loc: Houston,Texas
|
|
And finally the finished 3 pieces. The one seen through the elongated hole is in position and the others show the finished pieces.
I wont go to this detail normally, but just wanted to give you an idea of just what was involved in making these 3 simple pieces.
Tomorrow we will make the 316 SS rod that screws into each of these and then goes through the hole in the back of the BAck Plate to adjust the collimation.
Hope you enjoyed and I'll condence things a bit in the future.
Regards,
Preston 
--------------------
A few I enjoy,
and a few more in the works ;<)
|
TheSheriff
sage
Reged: 07/15/07
Posts: 218
Loc: Oregon
|
|
Preston,
I doubt you will ever see a high volume of constructive feedback... there just aren't that many folks on your level, equipment or skill wise. I think most, like me, are just quietly watching your journey in awe.
The effort you have made to document and share your project is appreciated...I for one check your thread daily. And remember, no detail is too small to share!
Thanks again...
--------------------
Brad
C8SE XLT, TMB 80SS, Orion ST-80
Atlas EQ-G/EQMOD
40D (stock), SSAG
|
jasonharris
super member
Reged: 09/16/06
Posts: 137
|
|
Hi Preston, keep at it, I am liking your progress, your skills and your tools 
I felt just like you and thought I might pack in my thread as I was posting but no one else was.. I got a couple of encouraging emails and I am still going at it too
Jason
|
PrestonE
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/29/05
Posts: 817
Loc: Houston,Texas
|
|
Brad and Jason, Thanks. Sometimes I'm not sure just how much detail to show...
Like yesterday, I made the Collimation Swivel Nut Screws but did not document it as I thought it was just too elementry...
I guess for completeness I should just keep documenting each part, with at least a couple of machining pics...
Running up to the machine supply place this morning as I need to pickup a 5/16-24 adjustable die...turned and threaded the long end of the Screw yesterday, but was not able to get the tailstock close enough to support the end and the threads are just a bit tight...
Later I'll be working on the other bits and pieces for the rockers and remaining collimation plate pieces.
Regards,
Preston
--------------------
A few I enjoy,
and a few more in the works ;<)
|
jcjr
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/06/08
Posts: 563
Loc: TN, USA
|
|
I'm greatly enjoying the machining examples.
The thing looks like a beautiful jewel. Somewhat a shame that you will have to take the shine off before completion. Perhaps a frosted surface will not detract too much from the 'jewel-like' appearance.
I realize that the function doesn't care about the visual appearance or human aesthetics, but OTOH the visual appearance is just so pretty... (grin)
--------------------
CPC 1100, C102SLT, SV F80, Meade 70 & 60 AZT
Q70 38mm, Pan24, Meade 5K 18mm UW, Axiom LX 15mm, Nagler 13T6, Axiom LX 10mm, Expanse 20mm, 9mm, 6mm, BO/TMB 5mm, 2.5mm
|
PrestonE
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/29/05
Posts: 817
Loc: Houston,Texas
|
|
Quote:
I'm greatly enjoying the machining examples.
The thing looks like a beautiful jewel. Somewhat a shame that you will have to take the shine off before completion. Perhaps a frosted surface will not detract too much from the 'jewel-like' appearance.
I realize that the function doesn't care about the visual appearance or human aesthetics, but OTOH the visual appearance is just so pretty... (grin)
Thanks jcjr...
Mike Jones has provided a baffold design that may allow leaving the aluminum surfaces pretty much as machined.
For Friday, Saturday and today we worked pretty much from 9 am to 4-5 pm...and I'm bushed and the battery in the camera needs to be recharged before I can unload the pictures to the computer...
Thus, I'll put together the post for the past 3 days plus tomorrow's in the afternoon...and I hope not to get behind like this in the future...as each days has been taking about 45-60 minutes to post.
See you'll tomorrow
Regards,
Preston
--------------------
A few I enjoy,
and a few more in the works ;<)
|
Michael Miles
professor emeritus
Reged: 02/11/05
Posts: 604
|
|
Quote:
...Tomorrow we will make the 316 SS rod that screws into each of these and then goes through the hole in the back of the BAck Plate to adjust the collimation...
Hi Preston:
OK, I don't get how the collimation adjustment works. I see you have a threaded rod that goes through the swivel mounts in the collimation plate through the back plate. As near as I can tell, the collimation plate is only connected to the backplate via those threaded rods - is that correct?
Is the threaded rod fixed relative to the swivel nuts in the collimation plate, or fixed relative to the back plate? I like the idea of a swivel nut, but to me that also implies a swivel in the back plate because the distance between the threaded rods will shrink if the collimation plate is not parallel with the back plate.
By the way, thanks for the info on the OTA cage torsional deflection calculation. My thought experiment was only meant to identify the types of forces involved, and aren't a substitute for actual calculations and measurements.
I, for one, want to commend your documenting this design in such detail. Despite the time, it is a way to give a gift to the ATM community and leave a bit more legacy of your work. I'm sure other ATM's will flatter you with mimicing all your good ideas (that aren't patented).
I'm glad that the field of psychology hasn't identified a diagnosis for guys like us who have this affliction of building these elaborate telescopes. As long as they don't we're safe to practice our harmless obsession. 
Very cool project,
Michael
--------------------
LXD-75 w/
Stellarvue 102ED
Hardin 10" Newt
Antares 8" Newt
Meade AR-5
Meade N-6
Celestron 102mm refractor
Canon 300D, Meade DSI guiding
|
jayscheuerle
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/16/06
Posts: 2989
Loc: S. Philadelphia, PA
|
|
You mean not everyone works aluminum with a wood file and belt sander?
I could drool with envy over your shop long enough to rust the lot, but instead I'll just comment on how well thought out the design and fabrication is. VERY nice job! - j
--------------------
12" Green Goblin (trusser w/Protstar secondary and OWL refigured primary)• 6" f/5 Eero2 ball-scope • 6" f/5 Frankenscope • Garrett Optical 10x50 binos • Edmund 8" yoke-mounted red-tube reflector • Edmund 6" GEQ red-tube reflector (on loan to Dad)
Gone, but with lessons learned:
Skyquest XT8 • NexSTar 8i • Eeroscope 6" f/5 ball(sacrifice was not in vain) • Vixen ED80sf • Edmund red-tube 4.25" f/10 • Edmund Astroscan
Facts are stubborn things.
|
PrestonE
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/29/05
Posts: 817
Loc: Houston,Texas
|
|
Hi Micheal and again Thanks for the kind comments...and Yes, you are getting the collimation idea 
Yes, there is another ball socket on the Back Plate through which the Collimation screw travels. The Collimation Screw is fixed to the Collimation Swivel Nut.
After passing through the Ball Socket, the screw will engage into a threaded knob that will be marked around the OD allowing very fine collimation.
I'll get to those Ball Sockets with through holes in the coming days.
Regards,
Preston
--------------------
A few I enjoy,
and a few more in the works ;<)
|
PrestonE
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/29/05
Posts: 817
Loc: Houston,Texas
|
|
Thanks Jay, Were it not for the air conditioned machine shop area. Everything not oiled up RUST overnight here in Houston.
--------------------
A few I enjoy,
and a few more in the works ;<)
|
PrestonE
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/29/05
Posts: 817
Loc: Houston,Texas
|
|
Ok, The Build Continues...
Here's the reason that the Collimation Screw ended up with larger threads at the starting end...I could not get the tailstock close enough to support the outer end, as you can see where it's touching the cross slide apron which is Very Wide.
--------------------
A few I enjoy,
and a few more in the works ;<)
|
PrestonE
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/29/05
Posts: 817
Loc: Houston,Texas
|
|
So a quick rip to Wholesale Tool and get an adjustable 5/16-24 die and it makes fairly quick work of cutting the threads to the proper fit.
--------------------
A few I enjoy,
and a few more in the works ;<)
|
PrestonE
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/29/05
Posts: 817
Loc: Houston,Texas
|
|
Quick check with the Collimation Swivel for a snug fit...if it's too tight, there is a little screw in the side of the die that can be adjusted. It increases or decreases the diameter of the threads.
--------------------
A few I enjoy,
and a few more in the works ;<)
|
PrestonE
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/29/05
Posts: 817
Loc: Houston,Texas
|
|
The screw on top has been rethreaded with the adjustable die. You can see that the thread shape is sharper than the one on the bottom whose thread tops are more rounded.
--------------------
A few I enjoy,
and a few more in the works ;<)
|
PrestonE
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/29/05
Posts: 817
Loc: Houston,Texas
|
|
Next the bushing for the rocker. Center drilled, drilled, and reamed for 5/16", Then OD turned and checked for a tight fit on the rocker.
--------------------
A few I enjoy,
and a few more in the works ;<)
|
PrestonE
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/29/05
Posts: 817
Loc: Houston,Texas
|
|
The bushing was then grooved in the center to about 0.040" to act as an area for the locktite remain when it's pressed into the rocker. And finally parted off. Pics were fuzzy, sorry 
Next up is making the rocker shafts. They will have a pointed end that will go into the Collimation Tube to secure it once made. They need 2 small flats, one for the allen set screw to ride so as to not mare the shaft...a real bear to remove if needed without making a flat...and the outer flat for something to put a wrench on to assist in removal.
--------------------
A few I enjoy,
and a few more in the works ;<)
|
PrestonE
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/29/05
Posts: 817
Loc: Houston,Texas
|
|
Ok, I decided to just show you the finished Rocker Shafts in a couple fo pics a little later. Simple turning, and milling of the flats is getting boring.
Next we get to the little Rocker Shaft Ball Ends.
They are 12-24 threaded on the end that screws into the rocker, and the ball diameter will be 0.280" total length 3/4" long.
Here is one being turned on the toolroom lathe for size comparision.
--------------------
A few I enjoy,
and a few more in the works ;<)
|
PrestonE
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/29/05
Posts: 817
Loc: Houston,Texas
|
|
The first part of the Rocker Ball Ends was straight forward.
Turn the area to be threaded to size, face the end, and part off. Then face the other end and finally set up to saw the slot for the screwdriver on the mill.
--------------------
A few I enjoy,
and a few more in the works ;<)
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
[Re: 
Edit
Reply
Quote
