9412 replies to this topic

[CHASLX200]

Generally I agree, but my early Unitron 142 mount, which has the large RA slow motion knobs, doesn't need a motor. It is designed right at the sweet spot where I can turn the slow motion smoothly by hand and keep an object motionless, while looking through the eyepiece at high power. It is overbuilt for the OTA, so there is no vibration. It's the only mount I've used that manages to do that. Adding a drive would lock the slow motion and require using electronic control for centering.

 

Just noting that it's possible to still have a very good experience without a drive. Although most modern mounts are not built for it. The AP800 that Chas has is one that can manage it. 

 

Chip W. 

You bet. Never used drives even when i have em. Too lazy to deal with plugging in a cord or dealing with hand controls or wires. I was into all that stuff 20 years ago when GO-TO was a fad to me.

[deSitter]

Generally I agree, but my early Unitron 142 mount, which has the large RA slow motion knobs, doesn't need a motor. It is designed right at the sweet spot where I can turn the slow motion smoothly by hand and keep an object motionless, while looking through the eyepiece at high power. It is overbuilt for the OTA, so there is no vibration. It's the only mount I've used that manages to do that. Adding a drive would lock the slow motion and require using electronic control for centering.

 

Just noting that it's possible to still have a very good experience without a drive. Although most modern mounts are not built for it. The AP800 that Chas has is one that can manage it. 

 

Chip W. 

Although I made a drive for my AO and SYW 3" scopes, I rarely use it because hand tracking is enough at the typical magnifications used. But it's not pushing the scope - it's still a driven scope if you twist something to move it.

 

-drl

[Kasmos]

We are the only Dob-don't-like-admitters I know. It's irrational. But I just don't like them. But I may end up with a 12" some day.

 

-drl

I believe I've mentioned I don't like them, but see their place with Big Newts. I'm a Old School purist so I kind of hate seeing old Newts like Caves being turned into Dobs. (the same goes for deforked Orange Tubes), I'm really certain I'll never own a Dob and for that matter I've never even owned a Newt!

 

BTW, I believe Tim is pretty much in the Don't Like camp as well.

[clamchip]

I bonded the Dynamax 8 tube today.

This job really had me biting my nails so it's best to get it done and put it behind me.

With the joint free of all the old Silicone next is dry fitting and index marks. If you feel your tube has not been rotated

since the joint failed index it and then play it safe by measuring the tube weight bosses to make sure they are at

6 O' clock. Remember you only get one shot at this, flub up and you will have a huge mess on your hands.

I laid down a 1/8" tall 1/2" wide bead of RTV on the interior of the tube right at the edge figuring the insertion of the

male cell will spread the bead the length of the joint. Examining the joint from the inside displays a good push out

for a 100% fill. Next I weighted the joint and will leave it alone for 24 hours.

I'm going to clean the corrector and have it ready to install. I may give the telescope tube some time to off-gas anything

from the curing RTV Silicone.

Robert

 

[Alanvogt]

I bonded the Dynamax 8 tube today.

This job really had me biting my nails so it's best to get it done and put it behind me.

With the joint free of all the old Silicone next is dry fitting and index marks. If you feel your tube has not been rotated

since the joint failed index it and then play it safe by measuring the tube weight bosses to make sure they are at

6 O' clock. Remember you only get one shot at this, flub up and you will have a huge mess on your hands.

I laid down a 1/8" tall 1/2" wide bead of RTV on the interior of the tube right at the edge figuring the insertion of the

male cell will spread the bead the length of the joint. Examining the joint from the inside displays a good push out

for a 100% fill. Next I weighted the joint and will leave it alone for 24 hours.

I'm going to clean the corrector and have it ready to install. I may give the telescope tube some time to off-gas anything

from the curing RTV Silicone.

Robert

 

IMG_2625.JPG

IMG_2644.JPG

IMG_2649.JPG

Can't wait to look thru it and compare to my 8" LX90. You are doing a great job!

[clamchip]

Can't wait to look thru it and compare to my 8" LX90. You are doing a great job!

The DX8 has been great fun Alan and we will see if we can include it in a comparison or two!

Oh the pain of not being able to look thru it ! 

RTV Silicone can takes up to 2 weeks to continue hardening to full strength. It's going to

be a long 2 weeks and I'm going to give it every opportunity to last 50 years like the

original bond did.

 

Robert

[Alanvogt]

The DX8 has been great fun Alan and we will see if we can include it in a comparison or two!

Oh the pain of not being able to look thru it ! 

RTV Silicone can takes up to 2 weeks to continue hardening to full strength. It's going to

be a long 2 weeks and I'm going to give it every opportunity to last 50 years like the

original bond did.

 

Robert

Are you going to paint it?

[clamchip]

The paint looks pretty good I'm going to leave it.

I may do some touch up.

 

Robert

[deSitter]

The DX8 has been great fun Alan and we will see if we can include it in a comparison or two!

Oh the pain of not being able to look thru it ! 

RTV Silicone can takes up to 2 weeks to continue hardening to full strength. It's going to

be a long 2 weeks and I'm going to give it every opportunity to last 50 years like the

original bond did.

 

Robert

So the mirror is just inaccessible? Can you extract the mirror with the tube glued?

 

-drl

[clamchip]

So the mirror is just inaccessible? Can you extract the mirror with the tube glued?

 

-drl

The primary comes out the front by removing the clip from the baffle tube and pulling the whole

mirror carrier and mirror out in one piece sideways thru the notches provided in the corrector

cell.

Robert

 

[Bomber Bob]

I believe I've mentioned I don't like them, but see their place with Big Newts. I'm a Old School purist so I kind of hate seeing old Newts like Caves being turned into Dobs. (the same goes for deforked Orange Tubes), I'm really certain I'll never own a Dob and for that matter I've never even owned a Newt!

 

BTW, I believe Tim is pretty much in the Don't Like camp as well.

IF we were neighbors, I'd have you observing with the Mizar 130SL until you're a Reflector Fan.  I don't think it would take long...

[Kasmos]

IF we were neighbors, I'd have you observing with the Mizar 130SL until you're a Reflector Fan.  I don't think it would take long...

Maybe. I've viewed thru a few including a friend's 28" but I'm kind of content and basically done buying.

[Bomber Bob]

Maybe. I've viewed thru a few including a friend's 28" but I'm kind of content and basically done buying.

Ah... Say you had a bunch of clear nights, and made a bunch of SxS's between my FC-76 & 130SL, and decided you liked the Views in the 130SL better....  I bet you could sale / trade a few of your 60mm's, and nab a 130SL on ZEN (currently 1 w/ SP EQ for about $140)...  IIRC, you already have a couple of Mizar EQs, so all you'd need is the OTA.

 

[I should've been a Tele(scope)-Evangelist.  Can I get an Amen?!!]

[Kasmos]

Ah... Say you had a bunch of clear nights, and made a bunch of SxS's between my FC-76 & 130SL, and decided you liked the Views in the 130SL better....  I bet you could sale / trade a few of your 60mm's, and nab a 130SL on ZEN (currently 1 w/ SP EQ for about $140)...  IIRC, you already have a couple of Mizar EQs, so all you'd need is the OTA.

 

[I should've been a Tele(scope)-Evangelist.  Can I get an Amen?!!]

And instead became a pusher! 

 

Only one Mizar GEM and I'm purposely staying clear of that ZEN rabbit hole    

[apfever]

 

Only one Mizar GEM and I'm purposely staying clear of that ZEN rabbit hole    

I blip over zen listings. Japan was awesome while I was there for a few years, still think well of it - quite well. Ironically I shipped a Japan scope back to someone in Japan once. I'm not going zen over anything though. 

Edited by apfever, 03 September 2024 - 03:01 PM.

[azure1961p]

Thought about it.

[jragsdale]

And instead became a pusher! 

 

Only one Mizar GEM and I'm purposely staying clear of that ZEN rabbit hole    

Same. Too tempting to start dabling in the exotic foreign scopes. I've bought a few Goto accessories and Vixen accessories, but only to complete other kits I already had. But that's the limit for me. And the whole "add money first, buy 2nd" thing doesn't work for me.

[Bomber Bob]

And instead became a pusher!

 

Naw....  I'm like a Classic Japanese Scope Buddha...  After 4 decades, I saw the light; and now, I can't help sharing the joy!  Honestly, it is a religious experience...

 

BIF:  I think I've found some parts in the shed to convert the Carton 101mm zoom spotter to astro-scope, while keeping the result 100% reversible; rather than buying a cheap 90mm OTA off the GW & cannibalizing it.  Will post pix when it's assembled.

[clamchip]

While I'm waiting for my yesterday's Dynamax tube bonding job to cure and do any out gassing I'm going to

clean up the tripod and wedge.

This is a really nice tripod. Look at the blue isn't it fabulous. I of course absolutely love all the sand castings.

The fine adjusters for polar align are beautifully made, I'm not sure if these are Criterion.

I recognize the azimuth lock and spreader knurled hand nuts, they are the same used on the RV6 to hold the

tube rings to the saddle.  

Robert

 

 

[tim53]

I would guess the same mirrors as my 826. If it had wheels i would be good to go.

All early Meade Newtonians used Coulter optics.  Meade didn't get their own optical shop running until sometime in 1981.  When I worked there from 78-79, they loaned me an 826 to try to take planetary images with, potentially to use in their ads.  I set it up next to my Optical Craftsmen 8" f/6 Discoverer.  The OC blew the Meade's doors off on Saturn.  I still have the optics in my Springfield.

 

The Meade legs are threaded for 1/2x13 stem casters.  At least the RGs were.  So it should be straightforward to add a set to one.

 

-Tim.

[tim53]

While I'm waiting for my yesterday's Dynamax tube bonding job to cure and do any out gassing I'm going to

clean up the tripod and wedge.

This is a really nice tripod. Look at the blue isn't it fabulous. I of course absolutely love all the sand castings.

The fine adjusters for polar align are beautifully made, I'm not sure if these are Criterion.

I recognize the azimuth lock and spreader knurled hand nuts, they are the same used on the RV6 to hold the

tube rings to the saddle.  

Robert

 

IMG_2652.JPG

IMG_2654.JPG

IMG_2653.JPG

Those are neat.  I don't think they're Criterion, though.  I've never seen them before.

[Terra Nova]

While I'm waiting for my yesterday's Dynamax tube bonding job to cure and do any out gassing I'm going to

clean up the tripod and wedge.

This is a really nice tripod. Look at the blue isn't it fabulous. I of course absolutely love all the sand castings.

The fine adjusters for polar align are beautifully made, I'm not sure if these are Criterion.

I recognize the azimuth lock and spreader knurled hand nuts, they are the same used on the RV6 to hold the

tube rings to the saddle.  

Robert

 

IMG_2652.JPG

IMG_2654.JPG

IMG_2653.JPG

That thing is beautiful Robert! I love the blue!

[andylsun]

Tuning my EM-2 mount. DEC is a little stiff (it was received with a bend in the end of the worm shaft and I have not been able to pull that part of the mount apart to check). 

RA is good but will increase the belt gearing there too.
 

printing a bunch of different sizes for best belt gear ratio.

Attached Thumbnails

• 

Edited by andylsun, 04 September 2024 - 02:36 PM.

[CHASLX200]

All early Meade Newtonians used Coulter optics.  Meade didn't get their own optical shop running until sometime in 1981.  When I worked there from 78-79, they loaned me an 826 to try to take planetary images with, potentially to use in their ads.  I set it up next to my Optical Craftsmen 8" f/6 Discoverer.  The OC blew the Meade's doors off on Saturn.  I still have the optics in my Springfield.

 

The Meade legs are threaded for 1/2x13 stem casters.  At least the RGs were.  So it should be straightforward to add a set to one.

 

-Tim.

My 826 has a date of 1980.  Had two that were killers.

[clamchip]

I removed the weight from the top of my Dynamax tube and left the paper towel in place to keep

the bugs out. I'm giving the RTV seven days to out gas before the corrector goes back in.

In the mean time I have a new project to keep my mind off the Dynamax.

A friend was in need of a metal cutting lathe so I gave him my Atlas 6 inch and $100 in trade

for his Starsplitter 8 inch tube type dob. I get to do some wood working because the Starsplitter

is missing it's ground board and azimuth bearing. I'll make the ground board and while the

varnish is drying the Dynamax should be ready for assembly and the great sky show!

Robert

 

Edited by clamchip, 05 September 2024 - 10:18 AM.