Happy-Idiot
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/06/06
Posts: 2824
Loc: 3rd Rock
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Dad's old tripod legs, i'll see if i can save them.  My father started out his career with the state of NY as a Civil Engineer. He has been retired from his job for some time now. The other day he was rumaging around the basement and came up with his tripod legs from his old surveying equipment. He knows my love for classic telescopes so he gave them to me in hopes i could use them on an old scope.
They are in poor shape due to their age and the majority of their use was around saltwater. They appear to be made from ash wood which is why they are probably still surviving after all their abuse. Here are some close ups.
Edited by Happy-Idiot (10/17/09 11:44 PM)
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Happy-Idiot
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/06/06
Posts: 2824
Loc: 3rd Rock
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Extra large brass wing nuts and bolts
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Brian
A small scope that gets used often is a better investment than a big scope that stays in the closet.
Unitrons, you spend more time looking at them than you do through them.
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Happy-Idiot
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/06/06
Posts: 2824
Loc: 3rd Rock
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Each leg has an upper and lower clamp, so there are six of these. The knobs are brass and the brackets are aluminum, there has been a reaction between the two different metals and it has caused them to seize. I have managed to free them without any harm.
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Brian
A small scope that gets used often is a better investment than a big scope that stays in the closet.
Unitrons, you spend more time looking at them than you do through them.
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Happy-Idiot
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/06/06
Posts: 2824
Loc: 3rd Rock
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The spikes have rusted and pitted as well so will be in need of some care. Tonight i gently sanded with some extra fine grit to remove any loose rust and i applied a rust inhibitor. Tomorrow after it has had time to soak in and dry i will resand and reapply the inhibitor. They will be in need of some body filler to fill in the pitted areas. And then some black enamel paint.
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Brian
A small scope that gets used often is a better investment than a big scope that stays in the closet.
Unitrons, you spend more time looking at them than you do through them.
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Happy-Idiot
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/06/06
Posts: 2824
Loc: 3rd Rock
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the lower half of the legs, you can see the oxidation the aluminum clamps left.
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Brian
A small scope that gets used often is a better investment than a big scope that stays in the closet.
Unitrons, you spend more time looking at them than you do through them.
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Happy-Idiot
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/06/06
Posts: 2824
Loc: 3rd Rock
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Behind this screw is a spacer/guide ring made of aluminum. The screw is seized from the reaction of the two different metals over the years. These will be trouble due to their size, and may need replacement if i damage them while attempting to remove them.
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Brian
A small scope that gets used often is a better investment than a big scope that stays in the closet.
Unitrons, you spend more time looking at them than you do through them.
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Happy-Idiot
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/06/06
Posts: 2824
Loc: 3rd Rock
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another picture, i have my work cut out for me. My questions are, can i fill the aluminum pitted holes with regular autobody filler or will it not accept it? What is the best way to clean up the brass, i don't have a buffing wheel? After i do clean up the brass what is the best way to keep it shiny?
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Brian
A small scope that gets used often is a better investment than a big scope that stays in the closet.
Unitrons, you spend more time looking at them than you do through them.
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woodsman
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/12/08
Posts: 1073
Loc: Colorado Springs, CO
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Wow, those look like a challenge. The wood does appear to be ash. Good hardwood. Boy those rusted parts are hard to see any easy method to get them back to shape without a buffer. Can you get a wire wheel to put in a drill press and go to it. Brass is super soft so even sandpaper would get them back to shiny, but its a lot of arm and shoulder work. Good luck and looking forward to before and after photos. Rich
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artisticwoods
C-14 Orange Tube, C-8, C-5, C-90 Astro Model, C8 Schmidt Camera 8" f1.5, C5.5 Schmidt Camera f1.65, SPI 42mm f/19 Refractor, Sears 90mm f/15.56 Ref, Sears 80mm f/15 Ref, Swift 77mm f/13 Model 831, Scope 60mm f/11.7, Sears 50mm f/12
Unitron Model 140 75mm/1200mm, Unitron model 128 60mm/900mm
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Happy-Idiot
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/06/06
Posts: 2824
Loc: 3rd Rock
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Rich if you agree its Ash than i know it is so, you are a master when it comes to identifying wood. I was almost 100% sure it was Ash and not Oak by the smooth silky feel of the wood that differentiates it form Oak. I rarely come across Ash buy i do love it and it is one of the reasons i decided to try a restoration. The good news is that the wood hasn't splintered or seperated anywhere and seems VERY solid throughout the set. 
Without jumping the gun but since i have your ear(Richard)what finish should i use with this Ash? I want to just keep it natural and keep that nice patina to the wood without sanding it too much, i like using Tung oil, would that be OK to use? I want to LIGHTLY sand off the existing finish but i want to keep the rust stains and brass patina that bled into the wood, it may sound odd but i don't want it to look brand new just restored.
I am not too concerned with the metal feet but more concerned with the little brass screws that are welded(by time and salt) into the spacer rings, they are very soft brass.
Edited by Happy-Idiot (10/18/09 08:18 AM)
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Happy-Idiot
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/06/06
Posts: 2824
Loc: 3rd Rock
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I brought the hardware to my Father's house to cleanup on his wire wheel. What would i ever do without this guy? The brass didn't shine up as i thought, but i really like the way it turned out. It has more of an antique brass look which is great because it will match the patina of the wood. As i mentioned before i don't want a perfect looking tripod out of this project but more of a restored looking tripod with that soft glow of age. Nicks, scratches, stains,and dings all add character.
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Brian
A small scope that gets used often is a better investment than a big scope that stays in the closet.
Unitrons, you spend more time looking at them than you do through them.
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Happy-Idiot
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/06/06
Posts: 2824
Loc: 3rd Rock
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I hand sanded the wood with a 60,100, 220 grit progressively. I didn't want to go crazy, i wanted to keep the years of oxidation in the deep grain.
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Brian
A small scope that gets used often is a better investment than a big scope that stays in the closet.
Unitrons, you spend more time looking at them than you do through them.
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Happy-Idiot
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/06/06
Posts: 2824
Loc: 3rd Rock
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I like the ease of tung oil, here is the first coat,low gloss. I would rather a satin finish but i am all out so low gloss it is.
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Brian
A small scope that gets used often is a better investment than a big scope that stays in the closet.
Unitrons, you spend more time looking at them than you do through them.
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Happy-Idiot
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/06/06
Posts: 2824
Loc: 3rd Rock
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As you can see i left the stained wood around the screw holes as well as the rust around the spikes.
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Brian
A small scope that gets used often is a better investment than a big scope that stays in the closet.
Unitrons, you spend more time looking at them than you do through them.
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akman1955
sage
Reged: 09/07/09
Posts: 366
Loc: Alaska, USA
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 Alright Brian, great job!! can i send you my unitron legs that need refinishing?? More please, john 
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mustgobigger
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 06/12/07
Posts: 2421
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looking good brian.
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RV-6
Meade 826
Meade 880 Deluxe
Unitron's 114,128,140,142,150,152,155,160
4" Jaegertron
4.5" A.E f/14 Refractor
4" f/15 Edmund's Refractor
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Happy-Idiot
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/06/06
Posts: 2824
Loc: 3rd Rock
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Thanks John. 
Thanks Brian.
Quote:
Alright Brian, great job!! can i send you my unitron legs that need refinishing?? More please, john
Funny thing John i was thinking of using these on a Uni 128, i will store the original legs for safe keeping(so all you purist don't send your hate mail)  but i think these will add a bit of old school class that the eq deserves. 
I also have a Pentax/Jupiter alt/az that could use some classy legs. 
Or better yet my a spare set for the old Royal.
Im not sure, maybe i'll see how they look on all my old Classics and decide then.
DISCLAIMER : Just remember they will only be temperory, i would never change out original legs. 
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woodsman
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/12/08
Posts: 1073
Loc: Colorado Springs, CO
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Hi Brian,
I just saw the thread open up again. I think that the tung oil is a nice finish. I'd just make sure that you put several coats on, and wipe off the excess between coats. Ash is a pretty open pored wood, and even though you wipe it off, several hours later, it could actually release the excess oil in the pores again, so just make sure that you check it after you do the final coat to make sure that it is clean and hasn't spit out any extra because if it does and you don't get it off, it can get tacky. I'd go with about 3 coats. It sure looks good. Typically going to 220 is fine. I used to finish a great deal of furniture with it, and I never went past 220, but on flat surfaces, I would wet sand the oil in using 600 grit, and it would make the surface like glass.
I'm surprised that the tripod is Ash. Its too bad that more older scope manufacturer didn't use it, as its incredibly hard and durable. Every one of my older refractors has a Lewan Mahogany tripod, and they look nice, but they do dent up a bit easier. I'm looking forward to seeing the final shots of the refinished tripod, I really do like the blond color of the wood. Nice job, and am enjoying seeing the work. 
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artisticwoods
C-14 Orange Tube, C-8, C-5, C-90 Astro Model, C8 Schmidt Camera 8" f1.5, C5.5 Schmidt Camera f1.65, SPI 42mm f/19 Refractor, Sears 90mm f/15.56 Ref, Sears 80mm f/15 Ref, Swift 77mm f/13 Model 831, Scope 60mm f/11.7, Sears 50mm f/12
Unitron Model 140 75mm/1200mm, Unitron model 128 60mm/900mm
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ottovonrotton
member
Reged: 01/01/09
Posts: 65
Loc: Where is Port Perry?
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Hey Brian, Have a bass made of swamp ash and its gorgeous,ash makes a nice hardwood.
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Go Modern, Go Gas, Go Bang!
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woodsman
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/12/08
Posts: 1073
Loc: Colorado Springs, CO
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I also didn't realize that you had asked about the finish several weeks back. I must have missed the reply. Sorry about that. Anyway, I like the idea that you didn't sand too deeply. That old patina took a long time to get into the wood, so its nice that it isn't being covered up as well. The legs might even be brown ash, which I really do like. Ash like oak has many species. I work with a lot of white Ash, and it takes oil stains really well.
By the way, I'm finishing up a case that I made yesterday for my Orange Tube C5 telescope. I'll post pictures of it here after its all done. I just have to put the hinges on, and get hardware for it. I'm going to put some chest latches on it, and I might put in a full mortise chest lock. I used very curly hard maple and African Mahogany and the contrast on the dovetails was really striking, more so than some of the other eyepiece boxes I have made.
Rich
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artisticwoods
C-14 Orange Tube, C-8, C-5, C-90 Astro Model, C8 Schmidt Camera 8" f1.5, C5.5 Schmidt Camera f1.65, SPI 42mm f/19 Refractor, Sears 90mm f/15.56 Ref, Sears 80mm f/15 Ref, Swift 77mm f/13 Model 831, Scope 60mm f/11.7, Sears 50mm f/12
Unitron Model 140 75mm/1200mm, Unitron model 128 60mm/900mm
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akman1955
sage
Reged: 09/07/09
Posts: 366
Loc: Alaska, USA
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Keep up good work brian! We want too see final result's...thank's, john
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