Telescope Reviews: Replacement part?

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Equipment Discussions >> Mounts

Pages: 1

MHamburg
professor emeritus

Reged: 06/21/06

Loc: Brooklyn, NY/Berkshires, MA

Replacement part?
#5475600 - 10/17/12 06:04 PM

I need to replace the counter weight bar retaining nut (a big knobby thing) on my CGEM. Celestron has informed me they do not include this in their spare parts inventory. Does anyone know of an after-market source for this item? Thanks.
Michael

Post Extras:

RTLR 12
Post Laureate

Reged: 12/04/08

Loc: Capistrano Beach, Ca

Re: Replacement part? new

[Re: MHamburg]
#5475786 - 10/17/12 08:05 PM

I'll answer you here too. Do you know what size 'Toe Saver' nut you had? Celestron made them in 3 sizes.

Stan

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wolfman_4_ever
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 07/15/11

Loc: El Segundo, Ca, So. Cal

Re: Replacement part? new

[Re: RTLR 12]
#5475824 - 10/17/12 08:33 PM

The bar and Toe Saver is $25 on celestron's part site..

Or use a bolt from home depot..

Post Extras:

Stew57
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 05/03/09

Loc: Silsbee Texas

Re: Replacement part? new

[Re: wolfman_4_ever]
#5476059 - 10/17/12 11:09 PM

Ts it the toe saver you need or the big knobby thing that screws into the mount? Spare parts are one reason I am looking elsewhere when I upgrade.

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orlyandico
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 08/10/09

Loc: Singapore

Re: Replacement part? new

[Re: Stew57]
#5476163 - 10/18/12 12:49 AM

no he's talking about the large lumpy thing at the top of the CW bar that looks like a cone. It's at the top of the CW bar and often gets overtightened causing DEC binding

I think a replacement would need to be machined. Or if he could find a large nut that will screw in, he could "build up" something by laying epoxy steel over the large nut.

Post Extras:

MHamburg
professor emeritus

Reged: 06/21/06

Loc: Brooklyn, NY/Berkshires, MA

Re: Replacement part? new

[Re: orlyandico]
#5476701 - 10/18/12 10:49 AM

To clarify, it is the large knobby thing that tightens the bar to the dec housing, not the toe saver. (That would be too easy!) It seems a no-brainer for Celestron to make that available as a replacement part.
Michael

Edited by MHamburg (10/18/12 10:50 AM)

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Midnight Dan
Postmaster

Reged: 01/23/08

Loc: Hilton, NY, Yellow Zone (Bortl...

Re: Replacement part? new

[Re: MHamburg]
#5476718 - 10/18/12 10:57 AM

Not sure if one of these parts is what you need:
http://www.admaccessories.com/Miscellaneous_CGEM.htm

... but if not, contact Anthony at ADM and he may be able to make one up for you at a reasonable price. He obviously makes replacement parts for the CGEM so he should be able to duplicate your part without too much effort.

-Dan

Post Extras:

orlyandico
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 08/10/09

Loc: Singapore

Re: Replacement part? new

[Re: Midnight Dan]
#5476757 - 10/18/12 11:18 AM

can't imagine what could possibly destroy that knobby thing..!

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WillCarney
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 10/08/09

Loc: Bloomington, ILL

Re: Replacement part? new

[Re: orlyandico]
#5477289 - 10/18/12 03:56 PM

Quote:

can't imagine what could possibly destroy that knobby thing..!

I recently had to replace my RA locking knob on my Atlas. The Orion service rep said they should not break unless dropped. I keep my mount in a case with foam and never dropped the head. The knob still broke. Upon looking at it closely the knob appeared to be cast metal. I have had my Atlas on cold nights and cast metal does not do to well over time when exposed to some cold weather. I ordered two and have a spare for the "next" time.
William

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MHamburg
professor emeritus

Reged: 06/21/06

Loc: Brooklyn, NY/Berkshires, MA

Re: Replacement part? new

[Re: WillCarney]
#5479142 - 10/19/12 05:02 PM

Anthony makes every knob replacement but the one I need. If you look at the illustration of the counter weight bar, it is the knurled thing at the top of the bar, right against the CGEM housing. On mine, this nut which retains the bar, froze solid so I couldn't remove the bar to begin hypertuning. With the help of a machinist friend, we were able to remove it (scarring the knob with a 36" pipe wrench) while also snapping off the threaded end of the counter weight bar. I now am awaiting a replacement bar from the big C and am forced to clean up the scarred retaining nut. And I haven't even begun the hypertune. So much for DIY.
Michael