Jump to content

  •  
  • Home
  • Articles & Reviews
  • Photo Gallery
  • Members

CNers have asked about a donation box for Cloudy Nights over the years, so here you go. Donation is not required by any means, so please enjoy your stay.

Photo

Fixing a dented tube

Started by snork , Mar 11 2013 06:29 PM
This topic has been archived. This means that you cannot reply to this topic.
11 replies to this topic

#1 snork

snork

    Apollo

  • *****
    • topic starter
  • Posts: 1,214
  • Joined: 27 Jan 2012

Posted 11 March 2013 - 06:29 PM

I picked this Tasco spotting scope up which happens to have a 1.125" long x .50" wide dent in the tube. I was looking at it and thought this would be a good tube to gain some experience restoring a damaged tube( if I screw it up I won't be too upset).
The tube is 12.75" long and the dent is just right of center, 5.50" in from the end. In the picture it is between the horizontal and diagonal scratch just right of center.
My first thought to fix the dent is to drill a hole on the opposite side, use a rod and hammer to pound the dent out.
What have you done or what would you do to fix a dented tube?

Attached Thumbnails

  • 5726668-image.jpg

#2 Ed Holland

Ed Holland

    Hubble

  • *****
  • Moderators
  • Posts: 14,059
  • Joined: 16 Jun 2010

Posted 11 March 2013 - 06:42 PM

It's just a thought, but can you get a broomstick handle or piece of pipe longer than the tube that will fit inside it? Put something on the surface of this rod, so that it will contact the dent from the inside of the tube, then try and use pressure to re-form the dent.

#3 ColoHank

ColoHank

    Fly Me to the Moon

  • *****
  • Posts: 5,852
  • Joined: 07 Jun 2007

Posted 11 March 2013 - 06:49 PM

Contact a music store or the music department at a local school or college to inquire about the whereabouts of a professional who repairs musical instruments, primarily those made of brass. Such folks routinely remove dents from the tubing in trumpets, trombones, French horns, and the like without leaving a trace. You'd probably need to disassemble your scope, however, before handing it over for repairs.

#4 snork

snork

    Apollo

  • *****
    • topic starter
  • Posts: 1,214
  • Joined: 27 Jan 2012

Posted 11 March 2013 - 06:58 PM

Thanks Ed, I'll give that a try, would be a simple solution if it works
Hank, I'll keep that in mind if I ever have a Unitron that needs repaired but I want to try this myself on this scope.

#5 Fish

Fish

    Viking 1

  • *****
  • Posts: 659
  • Joined: 13 Oct 2007

Posted 11 March 2013 - 07:15 PM

Snork,

I have taken the dents out of 3 1/8" EIA RF transmission line with a muffler pipe expander. I don't know if you can find one for your diameter but it is an idea. If it works on copper pipe it should work on your tune!

Regards, Marc

#6 rdandrea

rdandrea

    Mercury-Atlas

  • *****
  • Posts: 2,861
  • Joined: 13 Jun 2010

Posted 11 March 2013 - 07:56 PM

+1 on the tailpipe expander. Look for one the right size for your tube.

#7 snork

snork

    Apollo

  • *****
    • topic starter
  • Posts: 1,214
  • Joined: 27 Jan 2012

Posted 11 March 2013 - 08:06 PM

Tube expander sounds like a good idea. The tube is 2 1/2" od with an 18 ga wall. Not sure if I can find access to one though.

#8 Dave M

Dave M

    In Memoriam

  • *****
  • In Memoriam
  • Posts: 8,649
  • Joined: 03 Aug 2004

Posted 11 March 2013 - 08:47 PM

Dan, You can get one here for $18
http://tinyurl.com/ca3fqcp

#9 snork

snork

    Apollo

  • *****
    • topic starter
  • Posts: 1,214
  • Joined: 27 Jan 2012

Posted 11 March 2013 - 08:54 PM

Thanks Dave. I was thinking I would have to know someone at a muffler shop.

#10 Dave M

Dave M

    In Memoriam

  • *****
  • In Memoriam
  • Posts: 8,649
  • Joined: 03 Aug 2004

Posted 11 March 2013 - 09:12 PM

I think most automotive parts stores should also carry them.
Like Auto Zone, Advance ect..

#11 tag1260

tag1260

    Mercury-Atlas

  • *****
  • Posts: 2,731
  • Joined: 07 Oct 2012

Posted 11 March 2013 - 09:25 PM

Autozone or Advance might even have them as "loaner" tools.

#12 photiost

photiost

    Soyuz

  • *****
  • Posts: 3,514
  • Joined: 14 Dec 2006

Posted 18 March 2013 - 05:13 PM

I suspect these tools are good for the smaller tubes but I like the idea to go with the Music repair shop option and get a nice professional job.

I wonder what the Music shops use for big repairs like tubas ...etc
.
Back to Classic Telescopes

CNers have asked about a donation box for Cloudy Nights over the years, so here you go. Donation is not required by any means, so please enjoy your stay.


Astronomics discounts for Cloudy Nights members

Recent Topics




  1. Cloudy Nights
  2. → Equipment Discussions
  3. → Classic Telescopes
  4. Privacy Policy
  5. Terms of Service ·


Cloudy Nights LLC
Cloudy Nights Sponsor: Astronomics