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Equipment Discussions >> Mounts
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BKBrown
member


Reged: 08/23/09
Posts: 53
Loc: Ashburn, VA USA
Looking for Atlas counterweight shaft replacement
      #3391902 - 10/15/09 08:44 PM
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Can anyone recommend an outfit offering heavier replacement CW shafts for the Atlas? I am interested in replacing the stock shaft. Thanks...BB

--------------------
Skywatcher 100ED-5QP 100mm f/9 APO, Synscan & GPS
C8N f/5 Newt, WO 66SD ZenithStar APO
Atlas EQ-G w/ Synscan & GPS
Baader Hyperion 8-24 zoom; 31mm, 36mm ASP
TV 19, 24 Pan; Nag 9T6,13T6
Siebert 1.5/2.0/2.5/3.0/3.5 Barlow,
Celestron 2x Ultima Barlow, TV 3x Barlow
Celestron 15x70 Skymaster

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Sky Captain
Metal Whisperer
*****

Reged: 11/07/04
Posts: 7195
Loc: Issaquah, WA.
Re: Looking for Atlas counterweight shaft replacement new [Re: BKBrown]
      #3392021 - 10/15/09 10:04 PM Attachment (8 downloads)
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Not sure how large of a diameter your looking for, but there are several companies just making longer replacement shafts and maybe a sleeve to fit over the stock one. I made mine from 1.244" so if I needed more CW's and didn't want to make them, I could just buy new or used on the market.
Because of the high cost of stainless and shipping weight, I'm not doing anymore, but will be glad to send you the specs on mine and you can have a local machine shop do it for you. If stainless is out of the budget, you can always have them made out of steel and then use gun blueing for an inexpensive coating...looks great, i've done it myself to other projects.

--------------------
Equipment Overload!
Kerry



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Sky Captain
Metal Whisperer
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Reged: 11/07/04
Posts: 7195
Loc: Issaquah, WA.
Re: Looking for Atlas counterweight shaft replacement new [Re: Sky Captain]
      #3392027 - 10/15/09 10:08 PM Attachment (6 downloads)
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The shaft and pin I designed doesn't alter the mount in any way. You can stick the stock shaft back in if your going to resell in the future.

--------------------
Equipment Overload!
Kerry



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Nils_Lars
Post Laureate
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Reged: 01/04/08
Posts: 3459
Loc: Santa Cruz Mountains , CA
Re: Looking for Atlas counterweight shaft replacement new [Re: Sky Captain]
      #3392079 - 10/15/09 10:32 PM
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I contacted Astro-Rubylith and I was told they had 1 left and they werent going to do anymore after that , I have decided to have a friend who does machining do it instead.

--------------------
Erik

Orion Atlas Self Hypertuned (EQMOD)
Orion ED 80
Williams Optics VII reducer
Celestron 8" SCT
Orion Starshoot Autoguider
PHD guide
Canon 400D Hap Griffin Mod w/Baader filter
Astronomik clip-in LP filter and 12nm Ha
Stilleto CVF and Bahtinov mask
Tamron 75-300mm&28-80mm lenses
NexImage webcam

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31986095@N05/

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ssatko
scholastic sledgehammer
*****

Reged: 03/05/05
Posts: 920
Loc: NC
Re: Looking for Atlas counterweight shaft replacement new [Re: Sky Captain]
      #3392082 - 10/15/09 10:33 PM
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Hope this isn't considered hijacking the thread, but I'm considering getting a GEM at some point in the future, and the Atlas is on my short list. Sorry if this is a silly question, but why would one consider upgrading the counterweight shaft?

--------------------
Scott
SV80/9D
SV102ABV
Orion 4.5" Starblast
Meade LX90 8" UHTC
Orion XT12i

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Sky Captain
Metal Whisperer
*****

Reged: 11/07/04
Posts: 7195
Loc: Issaquah, WA.
Re: Looking for Atlas counterweight shaft replacement new [Re: ssatko]
      #3392105 - 10/15/09 10:51 PM
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Quote:

Sorry if this is a silly question, but why would one consider upgrading the counterweight shaft?

Scott




If you are going to run a heavy load (above 40 lbs) the stock shaft can be a little short with the need for so many CW's needed.(it can flex) It is also smaller in diameter than a CG5 mount at 18mm verses 20mm for the CG5 types.
A larger CW shaft also adds weight so less CW may be needed.

--------------------
Equipment Overload!
Kerry



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ssatko
scholastic sledgehammer
*****

Reged: 03/05/05
Posts: 920
Loc: NC
Re: Looking for Atlas counterweight shaft replacement new [Re: Sky Captain]
      #3392129 - 10/15/09 11:04 PM
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Ah...that makes sense. Thanks for the education, Kerry!

--------------------
Scott
SV80/9D
SV102ABV
Orion 4.5" Starblast
Meade LX90 8" UHTC
Orion XT12i

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BKBrown
member


Reged: 08/23/09
Posts: 53
Loc: Ashburn, VA USA
Re: Looking for Atlas counterweight shaft replacement new [Re: BKBrown]
      #3393751 - 10/16/09 09:59 PM
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Thanks for the advice, I'll let ya'll know what I end up doing. Clear Skies...BB

--------------------
Skywatcher 100ED-5QP 100mm f/9 APO, Synscan & GPS
C8N f/5 Newt, WO 66SD ZenithStar APO
Atlas EQ-G w/ Synscan & GPS
Baader Hyperion 8-24 zoom; 31mm, 36mm ASP
TV 19, 24 Pan; Nag 9T6,13T6
Siebert 1.5/2.0/2.5/3.0/3.5 Barlow,
Celestron 2x Ultima Barlow, TV 3x Barlow
Celestron 15x70 Skymaster

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Harold925
member


Reged: 07/11/09
Posts: 40
Loc: Near Charleston, S.C. Cluster
Re: Looking for Atlas counterweight shaft replacement new [Re: BKBrown]
      #3394222 - 10/17/09 09:00 AM
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Quote:

Can anyone recommend an outfit offering heavier replacement CW shafts for the Atlas? I am interested in replacing the stock shaft. Thanks...BB




* Here you go: Mr Deven Matlick of Criterion Machine Co., (CriterionMachine.com) can help you.

http://www.criterionmachine.com/Extended%20Counterweight%20Shaft%20for%20Atlas%20Mount.html

Take care,

--------------------
Harold

Celestron CGEM, C-9.25 XLT
Orion XT8i
Celestron SkyMaster 9x63
Many Accessories





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