· Get a Cloudy Nights T-Shirt · Submit a Review / Article Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums 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] Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online FAQ · Calendar Equipment Discussions >> Classic Telescopes Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | (show all) Datapanic Carpal Tunnel Reged: 10/17/09 Loc: Tucson, Arizona Re: A 1972 Cave 8" f/4.5 RFT Lightweight Deluxe [Re: Datapanic]       #5741908 - 03/18/13 10:05 PM Attachment (4 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Once both Outer Rings are installed, the 3 spacer rods are then installed to complete the Rotating Rings. Post Extras:       Datapanic Carpal Tunnel Reged: 10/17/09 Loc: Tucson, Arizona Re: A 1972 Cave 8" f/4.5 RFT Lightweight Deluxe [Re: Datapanic]       #5741927 - 03/18/13 10:15 PM Attachment (6 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here's how I get the Tube Ring to Cradle Studs nice and tight without marring them up. This method also works great during disassembly too. Post Extras:       Datapanic Carpal Tunnel Reged: 10/17/09 Loc: Tucson, Arizona Re: A 1972 Cave 8" f/4.5 RFT Lightweight Deluxe [Re: Datapanic]       #5741947 - 03/18/13 10:27 PM Attachment (6 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Next, I cut strips of cork and punch a hole in the middle for the studs to fit through. The strips are longer than needed and trimmed to fit after the OTA is installed. I used contact cement to adhere them to the cradle. The Cave 8" f/7 Lightweight Deluxe was like that new from the factory, so I have been doing this method for all my restores. Post Extras:       Datapanic Carpal Tunnel Reged: 10/17/09 Loc: Tucson, Arizona Re: A 1972 Cave 8" f/4.5 RFT Lightweight Deluxe [Re: Datapanic]       #5741958 - 03/18/13 10:31 PM Attachment (6 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Cave Clock Drives have been covered quite a bit here on CN, so here's the assembled drive for this scope. The original power cord and plug was in good shape, so I reused it. Post Extras:       Datapanic Carpal Tunnel Reged: 10/17/09 Loc: Tucson, Arizona Re: A 1972 Cave 8" f/4.5 RFT Lightweight Deluxe [Re: Datapanic]       #5741962 - 03/18/13 10:35 PM Attachment (5 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I used all new brass fasteners for the Dec Shaft Lock Knob. 1/4-20 Brass Threaded Rod was cut to size and beveled on the end. This was a problem when I was removing this piece because somebody had put so much force on it that the tip had mushroomed and was difficult to remove. The Dec Shaft Lock Knob must be removed before the Dec Shaft Housing Bolt to the RA Shaft can be accessed... Post Extras:       Datapanic Carpal Tunnel Reged: 10/17/09 Loc: Tucson, Arizona Re: A 1972 Cave 8" f/4.5 RFT Lightweight Deluxe [Re: Datapanic]       #5741978 - 03/18/13 10:40 PM Attachment (5 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Finally, the OTA is placed on the mount. The excess cork on the cradle is trimmed to fit. The Clock Drive Housing, polished setting circles, counterweights and collar rings are all installed. All that's left is to install the Mirror and Mirror Cell, Secondary, Focuser, Finder and End Rings! Post Extras:       Datapanic Carpal Tunnel Reged: 10/17/09 Loc: Tucson, Arizona Re: A 1972 Cave 8" f/4.5 RFT Lightweight Deluxe [Re: Datapanic]       #5741984 - 03/18/13 10:44 PM Attachment (5 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Another view. I kinda like this hybrid transitional period color scheme The contrast between Wrinkle Black, Gray and White with a little Brass, Stainless and Black Oil Finish Alloy Steel fasteners makes the whole thing look nice Post Extras:       Datapanic Carpal Tunnel Reged: 10/17/09 Loc: Tucson, Arizona Re: A 1972 Cave 8" f/4.5 RFT Lightweight Deluxe [Re: Datapanic]       #5741997 - 03/18/13 10:54 PM Attachment (4 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   The Mirror Cell was refinished with flat black and new cork along with new stainless fasteners. I kept the original thread teflon adjusters since they were in good shape and I didn't have any extra material laying around to make new ones! Post Extras:       Datapanic Carpal Tunnel Reged: 10/17/09 Loc: Tucson, Arizona Re: A 1972 Cave 8" f/4.5 RFT Lightweight Deluxe [Re: Datapanic]       #5742001 - 03/18/13 10:57 PM Attachment (4 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Next, the Mirror is carefully mounted in its cell... Post Extras:       Datapanic Carpal Tunnel Reged: 10/17/09 Loc: Tucson, Arizona Re: A 1972 Cave 8" f/4.5 RFT Lightweight Deluxe [Re: Datapanic]       #5742007 - 03/18/13 11:02 PM Attachment (5 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   And Then, I went Camping! This time, I didn't bring any scopes for observing, But did see the comet with binoculars one night while at Picacho Peak State Park. Post Extras:       dgreyson sage Reged: 11/06/12 Loc: South Carolina Re: A 1972 Cave 8" f/4.5 RFT Lightweight Deluxe [Re: Datapanic]       #5742087 - 03/19/13 12:06 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   It's coming along great. I definitely needed a tap and die set, a lot of my threads were in bad shape when I got it. Post Extras:       Datapanic Carpal Tunnel Reged: 10/17/09 Loc: Tucson, Arizona Re: A 1972 Cave 8" f/4.5 RFT Lightweight Deluxe [Re: dgreyson]       #5742640 - 03/19/13 10:53 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   RonE500 mentioned in his 8" Edmunds Restoration thread that he used cleaning taps and dies. I never knew they made specialized taps and dies for that purpose. I do have a good set of popular sizes from #4 to 1/2" in coarse and fine thread though. They do get expensive for the larger sizes. Post Extras:       dgreyson sage Reged: 11/06/12 Loc: South Carolina Re: A 1972 Cave 8" f/4.5 RFT Lightweight Deluxe [Re: Datapanic]       #5742694 - 03/19/13 11:19 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Most of the Cleaning Taps I've seen were designed to clean and or re-thread damaged or jammed pipe threads. Taps also come as bottoming Taps for threading holes that do not go thru , and Plug which are best for thru holes and Taper, the most common style, to start the thread square with the surface . I just use the common taper ones to do everything and usually can just drill the blind hole slightly deeper to get enough thread to hold. Post Extras:       gelkin scholastic sledgehammer Reged: 09/22/10 Loc: Western, MD. Re: A 1972 Cave 8" f/4.5 RFT Lightweight Deluxe [Re: Datapanic]       #5743209 - 03/19/13 03:19 PM Attachment (2 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Dan that looks superb. Excellent work as always. I'm kind of liking that color selection too. Love your circles especially. Post Extras:       Datapanic Carpal Tunnel Reged: 10/17/09 Loc: Tucson, Arizona Re: A 1972 Cave 8" f/4.5 RFT Lightweight Deluxe [Re: gelkin]       #5750382 - 03/22/13 06:51 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Thanks Gerald On your 8" Lightweight Deluxe - is that a factory tangent arm? How do you keep the Dec Circle from hitting the Pier? Post Extras:       dgreyson sage Reged: 11/06/12 Loc: South Carolina Re: A 1972 Cave 8" f/4.5 RFT Lightweight Deluxe [Re: Datapanic]       #5750469 - 03/22/13 07:48 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   my dec dircle was hitting the pier too. I just put another collar above it to space it down and it clears fine now. Post Extras:       Datapanic Carpal Tunnel Reged: 10/17/09 Loc: Tucson, Arizona Re: A 1972 Cave 8" f/4.5 RFT Lightweight Deluxe [Re: dgreyson]       #5750486 - 03/22/13 07:58 PM Attachment (2 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here's the finished Dec Circle and Pointer area... Post Extras:       Datapanic Carpal Tunnel Reged: 10/17/09 Loc: Tucson, Arizona Re: A 1972 Cave 8" f/4.5 RFT Lightweight Deluxe [Re: Datapanic]       #5750489 - 03/22/13 08:00 PM Attachment (2 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   The Clock Drive area. All the brass parts were polished up as well. Post Extras:       Datapanic Carpal Tunnel Reged: 10/17/09 Loc: Tucson, Arizona Re: A 1972 Cave 8" f/4.5 RFT Lightweight Deluxe [Re: Datapanic]       #5750495 - 03/22/13 08:03 PM Attachment (1 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I refinished the Carle Photo/Visual Focuser as well. Here it is at focus in visual mode - way out there! Post Extras:       Datapanic Carpal Tunnel Reged: 10/17/09 Loc: Tucson, Arizona Re: A 1972 Cave 8" f/4.5 RFT Lightweight Deluxe [Re: Datapanic]       #5750503 - 03/22/13 08:06 PM Attachment (2 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   And the Finder Rings. (Just ignore that off-brand finder scope - still working on the original!) Post Extras:       Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | (show all) Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Extra information 22 registered and 21 anonymous users are browsing this forum. 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