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dddhgg
sage


Reged: 08/03/07
Posts: 265
Loc: The Netherlands
Best way of sliding a dovetail bar into the saddle
      #2612130 - 08/29/08 03:36 PM

Hi everybody,

I need some help with my new Meade 8" SCT, which I intend to mount on a Celestron CG5. I haven't got a clue as to the best way of sliding the dovetail bar *safely* into the saddle. When trying it out this afternoon, I simply wasn't able to find the correct orientation of the tube such that the dovetail bar fits into the saddle. How is this best achieved? And another question, the CG5 manual states that the securing knob should be tightened *after* the dovetail bar is in the saddle. But shouldn't this be done simultaneously with sliding it in, so as to prevent the entire thing from sliding out and falling to the ground?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

--------------------
Meade 8" SCT (an older white-tubed version)
Celestron CG5 (non-GOTO)
Teleskop-service 30 mm WA
Teleskop-service 7-21 mm zoom
GSO 2" standard star diagonal


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Americal
super member


Reged: 09/14/07
Posts: 120
Loc: Under the L. A. lightdome
Re: Best way of sliding a dovetail bar into the sa new [Re: dddhgg]
      #2612152 - 08/29/08 03:47 PM

Kim,
On my C11 I don't try to slide the bar into the saddle, I loosen the knob out of the way and tilt the dovetail bar into the slot then tighten the knob. I never could get the darn bar to slide into the saddle. Caveat here, I'm at 34 deg N and for higher latitudes my technique might get more difficult.

--------------------
Tom
It's OK Mom, I can fixit
-----------------------
4 1/4" f/5 homebuilt Newt
6" f/8 homebuilt Newt
8" f/5.1 homebuilt Newt
C11 ASGT (no, it's not homebuilt)


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spencerj
professor emeritus
*****

Reged: 11/17/04
Posts: 577
Loc: Derry, NH
Re: Best way of sliding a dovetail bar into the saddle new [Re: dddhgg]
      #2612156 - 08/29/08 03:48 PM

Rotate the dec axis 90 degree clockwise (so you can see through the polar scope hole). Then you just tip the dovetail in (with OTA parrallel to the ground). Once it is in place, tighten the bolt. This is much easier than trying to slide it in vertically and tighen it before it hits the ground.

--------------------
--Jason

"I am the victim of a series of accidents, as are we all." --Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

Intes-Micro MN66 with Moonlight CR1 focuser
TeleVue 102
PST
Unistar Deluxe with TeleVue Sky Tour
CG-5 ASGT (quieted and tuned-up by Trapezium Telescopes & Services)
10" Orion Dob
WO 66 SD (stays in my truck for spontaneous observing sessions)
15x70 Oberwerk Binos


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Al Canarelli
Carpal Tunnel
*****

Reged: 12/06/07
Posts: 1565
Re: Best way of sliding a dovetail bar into the saddle new [Re: spencerj]
      #2612393 - 08/29/08 06:12 PM

It's easy once you get the knack of it. I set the mount/saddle so that it points toward Polaris and tighten everything up so there is no chance of shifting. I next make sure the screws are open wide enough so that they will allow the dovetail to enter. I then put the OTA on my shoulder and start the dovetail into the saddle. I then push to OTA in and tighten the set screws. It's a piece of cake with an 8 inch, a bit more difficult with an 11 inch and a real workout with my OTA...a 14 inch.

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