Telescope Reviews: Swift 831 restoration

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CharlieB
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 12/11/07

Loc: Southern NH

Swift 831 restoration
#5742599 - 03/19/13 10:35 AM Attachment (17 downloads)

I have slowly been restoring my 1960 Swift 831. The tube has been painted with Rustoleum Biscuit Epoxy Enamel. Fortunately, the focuser and dew shield needed no attention. The OTA turned out very nicely. What was keeping me from finishing the project was finding a suitable paint for the brown parts of the scope and mount. There have been a number of different shades of green and other related colors, but most Swift mounts I've seen are fairly similar. The finish isn't a wrinkle type like the older Royal Astros, but there is a texture. I finally came across a very close match, some Rustoleum Multicolor Textured spray in a can. The texture is a bit grainier, almost a fine sand feel, but that also matches my old mount.

Here is a photo of two of the "space knobs". On the left is the original and the newly painted one is on the right. The match is excellent.

I also need some help from any Swift owners. The tripod legs were missing from my scope, but the ones from my 76mm Optica b/c work fine as do some from a similar 60mm mount. The problem is that neither pair fits into their place in the case. Could any one give me precise measurements for the 831 tripod legs? I'm sure the width and taper are different from any I already have. Thanks.

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CharlieB
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 12/11/07

Loc: Southern NH

Re: Swift 831 restoration new

new

[Re: CharlieB]
#5742608 - 03/19/13 10:40 AM Attachment (10 downloads)

Tube - objective end. I also rebuilt the case.

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CharlieB
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 12/11/07

Loc: Southern NH

Re: Swift 831 restoration new

new

[Re: CharlieB]
#5742610 - 03/19/13 10:41 AM Attachment (10 downloads)

Focuser - hard to get a good shot with a flash.

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Happy-Idiot
Stuck with it

Reged: 04/06/06

Loc: 3rd Rock

Re: Swift 831 restoration new

new

[Re: CharlieB]
#5742618 - 03/19/13 10:45 AM

Quote:

Here is a photo of two of the "space knobs". On the left is the original and the newly painted one is on the right. The match is excellent.

Wow excellent is an understatement, more like superb! That is no easy task.

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CharlieB
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 12/11/07

Loc: Southern NH

Re: Swift 831 restoration new

new

[Re: Happy-Idiot]
#5742627 - 03/19/13 10:48 AM

Not only is the color great, but the knob feels new because of the texture. Of course Rustoleum will probably discontinue this paint now.

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tim53
Postmaster

Reged: 12/17/04

Loc: Highland Park, CA

Re: Swift 831 restoration new

new

[Re: CharlieB]
#5742671 - 03/19/13 11:07 AM

Wow, that color and texture match is impressive! I'll have to look for some!

-Tim.

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Stargoat
super member

Reged: 04/10/05

Loc: Illinois

Re: Swift 831 restoration new

new

[Re: CharlieB]
#5742864 - 03/19/13 12:39 PM

Quote:

Not only is the color great, but the knob feels new because of the texture. Of course Rustoleum will probably discontinue this paint now.

Beautiful work Charlie!! Is that the Autumn Brown or Rustic Umber Shade of Rustoleum?

Stephen

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CharlieB
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 12/11/07

Loc: Southern NH

Re: Swift 831 restoration new

new

[Re: Stargoat]
#5742870 - 03/19/13 12:43 PM

Oops. I didn't notice the color on the back of the can. It's Autumn Brown.

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gelkin
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 09/22/10

Loc: Western, MD.

Re: Swift 831 restoration new

new

[Re: CharlieB]
#5742981 - 03/19/13 01:35 PM Attachment (6 downloads)

Quote:

Oops. I didn't notice the color on the back of the can. It's Autumn Brown.

Charlie that looks fantastic.

I experimented with my 831 painting and thought i had it till i took it out in the sun. BIG difference. Finally had a part scanned at a paint store and mixed. Turned out good. I like your solution much better. Excellent job.

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CharlieB
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 12/11/07

Loc: Southern NH

Re: Swift 831 restoration new

new

[Re: gelkin]
#5743008 - 03/19/13 01:44 PM

That's a gorgeous scope you have there! Now, those legs look a bit thinner than the ones I'm using on my scope. Do yours fit into the box? They didn't leave a lot of room in those wooden Swift boxes.

I know there have to be more of these out there somewhere. I've only seen reference to one other 1960 831. And there are some differences in model years. Mostly small differences.

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gelkin
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 09/22/10

Loc: Western, MD.

Re: Swift 831 restoration new

new

[Re: CharlieB]
#5743144 - 03/19/13 02:51 PM Attachment (5 downloads)

I'll be glad to get you some measurements this evening when i get home Charlie. It does all fit in the box.

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terraclarke
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/29/12

Loc: Over the river and thru the wo...

Re: Swift 831 restoration new

new

[Re: gelkin]
#5743181 - 03/19/13 03:07 PM

Wow. Beautiful scopes, both of you. Nice job!

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CharlieB
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 12/11/07

Loc: Southern NH

Re: Swift 831 restoration new

new

[Re: gelkin]
#5743269 - 03/19/13 03:40 PM

Quote:

I'll be glad to get you some measurements this evening when i get home Charlie. It does all fit in the box.

Thanks! Boy, those tripod legs are beuatiful! What did you refinish them with?

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gelkin
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 09/22/10

Loc: Western, MD.

Re: Swift 831 restoration new

new

[Re: CharlieB]
#5743294 - 03/19/13 03:51 PM

They were in good condition when i found it. Thats just a rub down with Old English. The metal tips and other parts on the tripod was another story. Lots of rust.

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gelkin
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 09/22/10

Loc: Western, MD.

Re: Swift 831 restoration new

new

[Re: CharlieB]
#5743900 - 03/19/13 08:09 PM Attachment (2 downloads)

Charlie
Looks like the tripod measures 2 1/4" across, made from 1/2" material and is 1 1/2" deep. Hope this helps.

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gelkin
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 09/22/10

Loc: Western, MD.

Re: Swift 831 restoration new

new

[Re: gelkin]
#5743904 - 03/19/13 08:10 PM Attachment (2 downloads)

Another view

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gelkin
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 09/22/10

Loc: Western, MD.

Re: Swift 831 restoration new

new

[Re: gelkin]
#5743919 - 03/19/13 08:14 PM Attachment (5 downloads)

Your painting of the knobs has inspired me to paint mine. I was missing one and found this on classified last year. Close to the right shape but wrong color. Seeing yours makes me think i should paint it too. Check out the manufactures mark on it. Wouldn't you know, Tak. Imagine that.

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Retentive
sage

Reged: 02/16/08

Loc: Florida

Re: Swift 831 restoration new

new

[Re: CharlieB]
#5743995 - 03/19/13 09:00 PM

what types of things did you do to rebuild the box. I have a similar plastic handle on the box of my Sears 6333 but it is broken on one side. I wish I could find a replacement. but I also want to refinish the box too.

Phil

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CharlieB
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 12/11/07

Loc: Southern NH

Re: Swift 831 restoration [Re: gelkin]
#5744129 - 03/19/13 10:14 PM

Quote:

Charlie
Looks like the tripod measures 2 1/4" across, made from 1/2" material and is 1 1/2" deep. Hope this helps.

Those measurements will help a lot! I may have to haul out the planes & gouges and perform some surgery. Thanks loads.

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CharlieB
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 12/11/07

Loc: Southern NH

Re: Swift 831 restoration [Re: Retentive]
#5744147 - 03/19/13 10:27 PM

Quote:

what types of things did you do to rebuild the box. I have a similar plastic handle on the box of my Sears 6333 but it is broken on one side. I wish I could find a replacement. but I also want to refinish the box too.

Phil

Well, on this case, I had to replace the top with some 1/4" mahogany plywood and replace some broken 3/4" mahogany supports inside the case. I have a good supply of various woods from carving and violin making. There were some supports that just needed regluing. And then there is always felt to replace and sometimes, hinges.

Those handles are hard to find, but one source might be old saxophone or trumpet cases. Some of them are very similar.

I usually sand the box well, stain it, and use shellac as a top coat.

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