Telescope Reviews: Thread size on focuser?

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Pages: 1

tnranger
member

Reged: 01/14/12

Thread size on focuser? new

#5665483 - 02/06/13 03:17 PM

I have an Orion XT10i with the stock single speed Crayford focuser. I would like to replace the stock metal thumbscrew on the 1.25" barrel with a nylon one to keep from marring my eyepieces. I took the thumbscrew to the big orange box store to match the threads, and it is smaller than the smallest threads on the thread checking board. (Say that 3 times fast)

Anybody know what the threads are, or where I could get a nylon replacement thumbscrew?

Post Extras:

p1taylor
professor emeritus

Reged: 02/19/08

Loc: West Midlands UK

Re: Thread size on focuser? new

[Re: tnranger]
#5666463 - 02/07/13 05:14 AM

Hi Just measured my one it is a standard 4mm, OD 3.9mm x 0.7mm Pitch, hope this helps.

peter

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tnranger
member

Reged: 01/14/12

Re: Thread size on focuser? new

[Re: p1taylor]
#5666519 - 02/07/13 06:35 AM

Thanks Peter. That helps a lot.

Other metric threads I have seen are classified M4, M6, etc. Does this mean these threads are M3.9?

Post Extras:

ausastronomer
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 06/30/03

Loc: Kiama NSW (Australia)

Re: Thread size on focuser? new

[Re: tnranger]
#5666554 - 02/07/13 07:09 AM

No its a standard M4 thread, which is 4.00mm x .7mm pitch.

Cheers

Post Extras:

tnranger
member

Reged: 01/14/12

Re: Thread size on focuser? new

[Re: ausastronomer]
#5666583 - 02/07/13 07:37 AM

Not to disagree, but it is smaller than the M4 thread tester at the hardware store. It actually fit inside without threading it. I wonder if Peter has the same thumbscrew as I do.

Post Extras:

tnranger
member

Reged: 01/14/12

Re: Thread size on focuser? new

[Re: tnranger]
#5669494 - 02/08/13 05:44 PM

Does anybody else have any ideas?

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don clement
Vendor (Clement Focuser)

Reged: 02/02/11

Loc: Running Springs, California

Re: Thread size on focuser? new

[Re: tnranger]
#5669636 - 02/08/13 07:13 PM

Quote:

Does anybody else have any ideas?

If the screw size is indeed about M3 (OD 0.118”) then one could run a 4-40 or 6-32 tap thru and use available 4-40 or 6-32 nylon thumbscrews available from McMaster-Carr. http://www.mcmaster.com/#nylon-thumb-screws/=le83wj

Don Clement

Post Extras:

StarStuff1
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 04/01/07

Loc: South of the Mason-Dixon Line

Re: Thread size on focuser? new

[Re: don clement]
#5671788 - 02/10/13 04:02 AM

I would recommend as large a nylon thumb screw as possible for the material being worked with, the 1 1/4-in focuser.In my experience 6-32 would be better than 4-40, 10-32 even better yet.

Also, larger thumbscrews are easier to find in the grass in the dark.

Post Extras:

don clement
Vendor (Clement Focuser)

Reged: 02/02/11

Loc: Running Springs, California

Re: Thread size on focuser? new

[Re: StarStuff1]
#5671799 - 02/10/13 04:25 AM

Quote:

I would recommend as large a nylon thumb screw as possible for the material being worked with, the 1 1/4-in focuser.In my experience 6-32 would be better than 4-40, 10-32 even better yet.

I agree. I use a McMaster-Carr P/N 90291A826 10-32 x 3/16 length nylon tipped SS set screw in 2" to 1-1/4" adapter rings. Each of my 1-1/4" eyepieces has it's own adapter ring. This way I can parafocalize all my 1-1/4" eyepieces with a 2" focuser. Shear-Loc http://www.shear-loc.com/ press-on thumbscrew knobs work very well pressed onto nylon SHCSs. BTW I also dye white nylon SHCS with black Rit dye with excellent results.

Don Clement

IIR nite eyes (?) used to sell glow in the dark Shear-Loc type press-on thumb screw knobs.

Post Extras:

don clement
Vendor (Clement Focuser)

Reged: 02/02/11

Loc: Running Springs, California

Re: Thread size on focuser? new

[Re: StarStuff1]
#5671801 - 02/10/13 04:30 AM

Quote:

Also, larger thumbscrews are easier to find in the grass in the dark.

Would that be around 4:20 AM?

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Gene7
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 06/10/10

Loc: Mid Ohio, USA

Re: Thread size on focuser? new

[Re: don clement]
#5672047 - 02/10/13 09:48 AM

Please, please get a digital caliper. Thread sizes are on line. NO,you do not want nylon, too soft. Get brass, just right. What a problem...

Post Extras:

psi_chemie
sage

Reged: 05/01/11

Loc: Leawood, KS, USA

Re: Thread size on focuser? new

[Re: Gene7]
#5672069 - 02/10/13 09:59 AM

I have 97 M4x.7 40mm long (you cut to length) nylon hex heads. If anyone wants a few I can stick some in an envelope and send it ur way. PM me

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StarStuff1
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 04/01/07

Loc: South of the Mason-Dixon Line

Re: Thread size on focuser? [Re: Gene7]
#5672661 - 02/10/13 04:37 PM Attachment (5 downloads)

Quote:

NO,you do not want nylon, too soft. Get brass, just right. What a problem...

Sorry, I have to differ. Sure brass is harder but is more likely to mar the barrel of an eyepiece. Nylon is still very tough and in a 1 1/4-in focuser should be fine... no multi-lb Ethos or Naglers being used. With about 25 years of use with nylon thumbscrews only one has deformed and one broke. Both were due to a drop on a concrete basement floor. This would also have happened with brass or aluminum thumbscrews. On a 2-inch focuser I would recommend two nylon thumbscrews. Again, the largest size appropriate for the job.

Here are two mounts with shopmade Vixen style dovetails. The smaller mount has two 1/4x20 thumbscrews that have held OTAs up to 5 lbs for 15 years. The other mount has three nylon 1/4x20s that has held scopes up to 20 lbs for almost 8 years. No problem with any OTA slipping. It is like the nylon threads will compress slightly, keeping the dovetail bar secure and without marring the bar.

Post Extras:

don clement
Vendor (Clement Focuser)

Reged: 02/02/11

Loc: Running Springs, California

Re: Thread size on focuser? new

[Re: Gene7]
#5673258 - 02/10/13 10:58 PM

Quote:

Please, please get a digital caliper. Thread sizes are on line. NO,you do not want nylon, too soft. Get brass, just right. What a problem...

In my experience and IMO Nylon works just great.
BTW a digital caliper has no greater accuracy than a dial caliper or vernier caliper.

Don Clement

Post Extras:

TxStars
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 10/01/05

Loc: Lost In Space

Re: Thread size on focuser? new

[Re: don clement]
#5673286 - 02/10/13 11:23 PM

Digital would be easier to read for people who have not used one before.

Post Extras:

p1taylor
professor emeritus

Reged: 02/19/08

Loc: West Midlands UK

Re: Thread size on focuser? new

[Re: TxStars]
#5673517 - 02/11/13 05:52 AM

All 3 types of callipers are easy to use, to get back to original post after a good look round, moonlight focusers are M4, others are M3 and M2.5, nylon not really strong info, Bras or SS Steel.

peter

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don clement
Vendor (Clement Focuser)

Reged: 02/02/11

Loc: Running Springs, California

Re: Thread size on focuser? new

[Re: p1taylor]
#5673927 - 02/11/13 12:00 PM

Why use a thumbscrew at all? Cut four slots in the tube about 3/8" down the drawtube (two slots across the diameter at right angles using a hacksaw). Use a hoseclamp around slotted drawtube to clamp 1-1/4" eyepieces like a collet. Better yet get a bike seat lever clamp to quickly clamp the eyepiece.
http://tinyurl.com/a86jvqn

Don Clement

Post Extras:

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