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Restoration in progress - 1958 Lafayette refractor

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33 replies to this topic

#1 JakeJ

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Posted 28 June 2005 - 05:33 PM

Still working on this one, but I have now finished the restoration of the OTA and mount/tripod. I still have to go over the dovetail box/case, but thought I would post a few photos.

Here is the entire scope and mount:

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#2 JakeJ

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Posted 28 June 2005 - 05:37 PM

Here's a slightly closer view. Note the wooden eyepiece tray, more commonly used in 1940's and 1950's scopes. Also interesting is that the tripod is made of oak, not pine.

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#3 JakeJ

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Posted 28 June 2005 - 05:41 PM

Here's a closup of the mount. Still has all the original hardware right down to the crinkle finish wingnuts. The mount is extremely smooth and well-machined. Also note the machined dec control stalk. It does not appear that there is a provision for adding an RA motor, so it probably was not an option.

More photos coming....

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#4 JakeJ

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Posted 28 June 2005 - 05:44 PM

View from the rear. You can see the original diagonal of the "slip fit" type that Lafayette seemed to favor. Also visible is the 6x30 finder, which also incorporates a slip-fit crosshair eyepiece. The finder is quite nice and bright.

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#5 JakeJ

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Posted 28 June 2005 - 05:46 PM

Here is the counterweight, complete with crinkle finish wingnut.

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  • 494762-counterweight.JPG


#6 JakeJ

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Posted 28 June 2005 - 05:48 PM

Closeup of the focuser and machined knobs....

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#7 JakeJ

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Posted 28 June 2005 - 05:53 PM

Focuser and ID badge.

I am still (slowly) working on the dovetailed box and accessories, which are all complete. The box is designed to hold the OTA, mount, and tripod, and is quite large. The scope came with four eyepieces, sun screen, and the dreaded eyepiece sun-filter.

The objective seems to be quite nice and clear, and using the scope is a pleasure. The mount is very smooth and stable, and focusing is likewise very smooth. The eyepieces are nothing to write home about, but modern plossls really show off the quality of the objective. And the scope looks quite beautiful to boot!

I will post more photos when I have completed the work on this one, if anyone is interested!

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#8 ngc6475

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Posted 28 June 2005 - 09:42 PM

Man, that's a beauty, Jake! Good job...please keep us posted as to your progress!

#9 Remy Bosio

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Posted 29 June 2005 - 01:43 PM

Hats of to you for such a fine job!

#10 moynihan

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Posted 29 June 2005 - 01:48 PM

Nice job!
I have one from the same company/period, 76mm f/12. Optically excellent achromat, sharp views up to 189x.
Those wooden boxes are neat, and the mount is very smooth.
Ended up having a new, three baffled tube made the objective.

#11 Dave M

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Posted 29 June 2005 - 04:38 PM

It looks Great Jake! you did an excellent job :waytogo:

#12 JakeJ

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Posted 30 June 2005 - 01:21 PM

Thanks guys! :rainbow:

I have been working on this restoration for several months. I really enjoy bringing these old scopes back to life, especially knowing they will be put back into service again.

I particularly like the color of this OTA, it doesn't come across in the photos well, but it is the same ivory color used on the TeleVue scopes - very rich looking.

-Jake

#13 Bill Grass

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Posted 06 July 2005 - 02:49 PM

Beautiful!! What did you have to do to restore the OTA & mount, Jake?

Thanks for sharing! :jump:

#14 JakeJ

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Posted 08 July 2005 - 02:46 PM

Beautiful!! What did you have to do to restore the OTA & mount, Jake?

Thanks for sharing! :jump:


Thank you! Here is what I have done so far:

- Cleaned, respaced, and collimated objective.

- Disassembled focuser, cleaned and polished all parts,
regreased, reassembled and collimated.

- Buffed out and polished original paint on OTA and
finderscope.

- Disassembled, cleaned and collimated finderscope.

- Mount: cleaned all parts of old grease.
Touched up spots of crinkle finish. Regreased all parts,
polished all chrome parts, and reassembled. Adjusted worm
gears and mount for smooth motions.

- Tripod: completely stripped, sanded, and refinished
wooden parts. Touched up crinkle finish wherever worn on
leg hardware.

- All miscellaneous chrome and aluminum hardware, screws,
etc., were cleaned and polished to a "like new" finish.

I think that covers everything so far.... now I have to get onto restoring the wooden case.

-Jake

#15 Bill Grass

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Posted 08 July 2005 - 03:00 PM

Cool! I can't wait to see the case when it's done.

#16 JakeJ

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Posted 18 December 2005 - 02:39 PM

Hi -

It's taken awhile, but I finished the job on this scope. I really tried to keep as original as possible on this one. Here are some more photos.

First, the case that everything fits into:

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#17 JakeJ

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Posted 18 December 2005 - 02:40 PM

7 coats of poly hand-rubbed between coats for a satin finish:

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  • 735475-ClosedBox.jpg


#18 JakeJ

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Posted 18 December 2005 - 02:41 PM

The original inspection tag!

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#19 JakeJ

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Posted 18 December 2005 - 02:42 PM

Wooden tray - also refinished by hand.

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  • 735482-Tray.jpg


#20 JakeJ

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Posted 18 December 2005 - 02:43 PM

Closup of the legs woodgrain + hub detail.

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  • 735486-Legs.jpg


#21 JakeJ

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Posted 18 December 2005 - 02:44 PM

A few more details:

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  • 735489-Finder1.jpg


#22 JakeJ

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Posted 18 December 2005 - 02:44 PM

-

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#23 JakeJ

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Posted 18 December 2005 - 02:47 PM

Box next to scope for scale.

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  • 735500-Full2.jpg


#24 JayKSC

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Posted 18 December 2005 - 04:50 PM

Hi Jake:

I'm glad I found this thread, and can see your reports on all of the hard work done to restore this fantastic classic refractor. Please know that your efforts are very appreciated: I'll definitely treasure this refractor, and will make good use of it both as a respected antique and a capable instrument.

:) I'll share observing reports from time to time, and sketches, too. I can't wait to plumb the heavens with this vintage refractor. What a treasure - thank you for your skillful restoration.

- Jay
KSC FL

#25 trainsktg

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Posted 19 December 2005 - 03:38 AM

Jay,

Would I be correct in assuming by your post that you have aquired this scope from Jake?

If so, then in the words of Napoleon Dynamite..."Lucky!"

Keith


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