
Restoration in progress - 1958 Lafayette refractor
#1
Posted 28 June 2005 - 05:33 PM
Here is the entire scope and mount:
#3
Posted 28 June 2005 - 05:41 PM
More photos coming....
#7
Posted 28 June 2005 - 05:53 PM
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!
#8
Posted 28 June 2005 - 09:42 PM
#9
Posted 29 June 2005 - 01:43 PM
#10
Posted 29 June 2005 - 01:48 PM
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
Posted 29 June 2005 - 04:38 PM

#12
Posted 30 June 2005 - 01:21 PM

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
Posted 06 July 2005 - 02:49 PM
Thanks for sharing!

#14
Posted 08 July 2005 - 02:46 PM
Beautiful!! What did you have to do to restore the OTA & mount, Jake?
Thanks for sharing!
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
Posted 08 July 2005 - 03:00 PM
#24
Posted 18 December 2005 - 04:50 PM
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.

- Jay
KSC FL
#25
Posted 19 December 2005 - 03:38 AM
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