· Get a Cloudy Nights T-Shirt · Submit a Review / Article    Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums Cloudy Nights - Official Forums of the 2009 International Year of Astronomy Privacy Policy | Please read our Terms of Service | Signup and Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu.... uh, User   You are not logged in. [Login] Forum Archives · Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online FAQ · Calendar Equipment Discussions >> Mounts Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Pages: 1 tim53 Pooh-Bah Reged: 12/17/04 Posts: 1435 Loc: Highland Park, CA NJP counterweight shaft stuck       #3408941 - 10/24/09 09:04 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   A while back, I had a couple of counterweights get stuck together on my NJP, such that I had to take the whole shaft off with the two stuck weights attached in order to put the mount back in the scopeguard case. I was able to get the weights apart by tightening the shaft, and now I'm making sure I use the rubber spacers between the weights all the time now... ...but now the shaft is stuck on the mount. Can't budge it to save my life. I just left it in my shop with penetrating oil soaking in it, but I'm not optimistic I'll be able to just twist it off tomorrow. Short of using a pipe wrench on it, which would score up the knurling on the shaft, I can't figure out what to try next. Any suggestions?? When I bought the mount used some years back, it came with a Casady shaft, but no weights. maybe when I get this puppy off, finally, I should get me some weights for that shaft and sell off the Tak shaft and weights! -Tim. -------------------- "We`re just waiting looking skyward as the days come down. Someone promised there`d be answers, if we stayed around." -Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark, "The Romance of the Telescope" Post Extras:       Billydee super member Reged: 01/23/08 Posts: 184 Loc: Winter Haven, FL Re: NJP counterweight shaft stuck [Re: tim53]       #3409010 - 10/24/09 09:50 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Cold shrinks metal and heat expands it. If you apply cold to the shaft it may shrink enough to come loose (a very small shrinkage will do it). I have used a can of computer dust off and you point the plastic shaft on the article not what holds it. I have also used a can of freon with the hose and valve attached. For leverage that won't mar use a leather strap or a hard rubber belt (like a used cam shaft belt from a car). I attach it to a wooden handle with a slot cut in it to get the power to move the item. Luck, Bill Post Extras:       tim53 Pooh-Bah Reged: 12/17/04 Posts: 1435 Loc: Highland Park, CA Re: NJP counterweight shaft stuck [Re: Billydee]       #3409017 - 10/24/09 09:56 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I used to have a strap wrench for removing oil filters without tearing them apart. Don't know if I still have it, though. Can't be a very expensive tool, though. Thanks for the cold suggestion. I can't heat the mount without burning the paint, of course. -Tim. -------------------- "We`re just waiting looking skyward as the days come down. Someone promised there`d be answers, if we stayed around." -Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark, "The Romance of the Telescope" Post Extras:       Al Canarelli Carpal Tunnel Reged: 12/06/07 Posts: 2611 Loc: Central New Jersey Re: NJP counterweight shaft stuck [Re: tim53]       #3409035 - 10/24/09 10:10 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   The next time you take it apart, use a product called "Never Seize" on the threads. You can buy it in any auto store. Post Extras:       Rusty Postmaster Reged: 08/06/03 Posts: 17717 Loc: Brooker, FL Re: NJP counterweight shaft stuck [Re: Al Canarelli]       #3409186 - 10/25/09 12:15 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I'd avoid Never-Seez, as it contains graphite, not a Good Thing for aluminum. Anyway, mine also got stuck, and I wrapped the knurled knob with several layers of electrician's tape and used a pipe wrench. Since then, I applied a thin layer of Super Lube grease to both the threads and the top of the collar. No problems since. -------------------- N11GPS Fastar TOA-130S MK66 Std Vintage C5 Megrez II 80mm ED Triplet APO SolarMax 40 NJP Temma II Sirius EQ-G ST8XE/CFW-8(LRGBHa)/AO-7/DF-2/STV Dlx/ST237a/350D (Unmodded)/Mallincam Color Hyper Plus/DSI III Color/DSI II Pro Two not-spoiled Golden Retrievers - Maggie and Casey Sometimes I think we're alone in the universe, and sometimes I think we're not. In either case the idea is quite staggering. - Arthur C. Clarke Post Extras:       tidroplane Pooh-Bah Reged: 10/02/06 Posts: 1180 Loc: Everett, Wa. USA Re: NJP counterweight shaft stuck [Re: Rusty]       #3409197 - 10/25/09 12:21 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I would go for the strap wrench, zero chance of hurting your CW shaft. Before re inserting the shaft into the mount, use a small amount of super lube on the threads of the shaft and you should never have this problem again. -------------------- Clear skies.....David AT111EDT AT80EDT-CF AT66ED G-11, Gemini ST2000XCM Post Extras:       Pages: 1 Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Extra information 17 registered and 9 anonymous users are browsing this forum. 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