9702 replies to this topic

[deSitter]

I am re-engineering my Vixen Custom alt-az head to take normal rings. This amounts to drilling two holes in the cross beam inboard of the tangs and bolting an aluminum bar into the channel in the cross beam. This bar has its own tangs for mounting rings. The process is 100 percent reversible, other than the holes in the cross beam, which are harmless. (They lessen the weight of the mount by a couple of hundredths of a gram.)

 

-drl

Edited by deSitter, 15 October 2024 - 03:54 PM.

[clamchip]

Those little 4s are the best looking of the B&L/Criterion bunch. If it turns out to be good it would be a nice C90 Astro/C5 in betweener. 

 

It's a very nice kit. I noticed 2 styles of case for the 4000, mine you see in this photo, and another version

with the scope on it's side and partially folded into the fork. I'm not sure if this helps indicate the age. This telescope

also has a vinyl skin over the aluminum tube, and there's also a black painted/anodized version as well. 

The serial number for this scope is 9385 and it also has AR coating on the corrector. I thought I'd mention all this

because I've read the 4000 and the whole line were very good towards the end of production. I know very little

about these B&L Criterion and that makes them all the more interesting to play around with and learn about.

There is also a "PRO" model for the 4000 and 6000, and model 8001 for the 8 inch. I read these were the models being

made when the plug was pulled.

Robert

 

Edited by clamchip, 15 October 2024 - 08:12 PM.

[CCD-Freak]

I recently purchased the telephoto lens version of the B&L 4000 at a ham fest.  It looks to be in good shape and I will be checking out the optics sometime soon.

[Exnihilo]

Had to change out the saddle on my Televue Systems mount (actually branded as a "Carton RSM-2000").  One of the saddle bolts was kinda shot.  Fortunately I had a spare ADM saddle to replace it.  Was observing with the Vixen NA-140 on it.  Evening temps are finally tolerable here in Phoenix again.

 

Edited by Exnihilo, 15 October 2024 - 11:09 PM.

[Kasmos]

It's a very nice kit. I noticed 2 styles of case for the 4000, mine you see in this photo, and another version

with the scope on it's side and partially folded into the fork. I'm not sure if this helps indicate the age. This telescope

also has a vinyl skin over the aluminum tube, and there's also a black painted/anodized version as well. 

The serial number for this scope is 9385 and it also has AR coating on the corrector. I thought I'd mention all this

because I've read the 4000 and the whole line were very good towards the end of production. I know very little

about these B&L Criterion and that makes them all the more interesting to play around with and learn about.

There is also a "PRO" model for the 4000 and 6000, and model 8001 for the 8 inch. I read these were the models being

made when the plug was pulled.

Robert

 

IMG_2770.JPG

It keeps getting better. Nice looking case. Looks brand new.

 

Perhaps the quality control came too late to save them.

[CHASLX200]

Got the all the mounts rounded up and cleaned up . All the mounts were above the water but dusty. 

[deSitter]

It's a very nice kit. I noticed 2 styles of case for the 4000, mine you see in this photo, and another version

with the scope on it's side and partially folded into the fork. I'm not sure if this helps indicate the age. This telescope

also has a vinyl skin over the aluminum tube, and there's also a black painted/anodized version as well. 

The serial number for this scope is 9385 and it also has AR coating on the corrector. I thought I'd mention all this

because I've read the 4000 and the whole line were very good towards the end of production. I know very little

about these B&L Criterion and that makes them all the more interesting to play around with and learn about.

There is also a "PRO" model for the 4000 and 6000, and model 8001 for the 8 inch. I read these were the models being

made when the plug was pulled.

Robert

 

IMG_2770.JPG

Careful about the foam in these old cases - it can deteriorate and start sticking to things and it is hard to get off. Also turns to a nasty pile of foam crumbs.

 

-drl

[jkmccarthy]

Careful about the foam in these old cases - it can deteriorate and start sticking to things and it is hard to get off. Also turns to a nasty pile of foam crumbs.

 

-drl

Do you have a preferred solution or mitigation for when it starts deteriorating ?

 

I thought this recent recommendation from Sean in another CN Classic Telescopes thread was worth a bookmark for future reference:   https://www.cloudyni...0#entry13691475  ... albeit not particularly inexpensive at first glance (but the verdict there probably depends on how precious the item is that one needs to protect : - )

 

       -- Jim

 

[deSitter]

Do you have a preferred solution or mitigation for when it starts deteriorating ?

 

I thought this recent recommendation from Sean in another CN Classic Telescopes thread was worth a bookmark for future reference:   https://www.cloudyni...0#entry13691475  ... albeit not particularly inexpensive at first glance (but the verdict there probably depends on how precious the item is that one needs to protect : - )

 

       -- Jim

Yes, a ShopVac

 

I had this happen to my counterweights, which I schlep around in such a case. It was an all-day job to get the crap off without damaging the finish.

 

-drl

[clamchip]

Here's some glamour shots so you can see the beauty and style.

 

[clamchip]

[tim53]

Today I hope to finish machining an adapter to put the Milburn wedge-mounted Meade 7" LX50 onto my Takahashi EM-500's steel pier.  I like the pier because it's heavy enough that I won't worry too much about it tipping over, while having a small enough footprint to not take up so much space in my observatory The Expense, at Cosmic Acres (Joshua Tree, CA).

[Bomber Bob]

IMO, the Criterion SCTs were the prettiest ever made.  If you have the room, a loaded DX-8 with GPT (all gray like mine) make an impressive Display.

 

After a lot of tinkering -- gobs of this & that -- I finally have my former Carton 101 Zoom Monocular converted to a fully functional astro-scope -- a very light 4" F5 RFT with a better lens than that Surplus Shed uncoated Jaegers:

 

 

Combining an old AT 2" dielectric diagonal with a Tak 2" photo-extender + Baader 1.25" Micro-Focus Ring got the back focus "just right" for all of my commonly-used 1.25" eyepieces.  A few of my 2" Erfles need an extender, but all things considered, it's a Win.  I got the original prismatic zoom monocular in a GW auction (long before The World discovered it).  It could easily have wound up in a landfill.  Ditto for that Big Box Tak Buy that I got on ZEN.  As a rig, it whups the China-made Synta 4" RFTs.  Japan-made multi-coated optics make it a respectable double-splitter, too.

 

Yeah, my Jaegers 6" F5 still rules, but it sure can't ride on a VersaGo!!

[deSitter]

Today I hope to finish machining an adapter to put the Milburn wedge-mounted Meade 7" LX50 onto my Takahashi EM-500's steel pier.  I like the pier because it's heavy enough that I won't worry too much about it tipping over, while having a small enough footprint to not take up so much space in my observatory The Expense, at Cosmic Acres (Joshua Tree, CA).

"The Expense" ROFL

 

-drl

[tim53]

"The Expense" ROFL

 

-drl

I even doctored a poster for it.  I still need to have it printed and framed for the observatory:

[tim53]

Hey.  A someone remind me what thread size are the bolts that hold the Meade wedge to the Meade tripod?  I left the tripod in cosmic acres and I’m working on my adapter to put it on the Tak pier. 
 

I suppose I could use any size I want,so long as they go through the wedge, since I have t drilled the holes in the adapter yet.  

[deSitter]

Hey.  A someone remind me what thread size are the bolts that hold the Meade wedge to the Meade tripod?  I left the tripod in cosmic acres and I’m working on my adapter to put it on the Tak pier. 
 

I suppose I could use any size I want,so long as they go through the wedge, since I have t drilled the holes in the adapter yet.  

I think you want the correct diameter bolt, to avoid concentrated stress on the aluminum casting. Everything on the LXD650 which uses the Standard Field tripod is 1/4-20.

 

-drl

[tim53]

Searches online have me 5/16-18. Looking at the Meade wedge, the slots for these screws are 3/8” wide, so 5/16-118 makes sense

 

the Milburn wedge is made of 3/4” flat stock rather than castings. But uses the same holes. 

[clamchip]

Today I woke feeling like I'd like to observe with more aperture.

Here's more aperture, my Coulter Odyssey 10. I dragged the carcass from upstairs to my shop and

brought the mirror down in it's own box. I assembled the telescope checked the mount motions and

collimated it with a Cheshire eyepiece. Installed a finder and aligned it with the main scope.

It's ready to go. First stop I want to check out Saturn's moons. I've been observing the tiny moons

with everything I have but nothing this big so it should be interesting. Robert

 

Edited by clamchip, 17 October 2024 - 08:26 PM.

[clamchip]

Complete cloud cover last night.

I was noticing this telescope has 'automatic collimation' I never noticed that before.

Its because the back of the primary is shaped like a potato chip and when the tube

is vertical, like when you move it with a hand truck, it slips around in the cell. All you do

is when you have it where you want it place the tube at around 45 deg elevation and

knock on the tube down near the cell and it auto collimates. Thin side of the mirror

must remain at 12 O' clock, too bad because this scope is begging for a equatorial.

The focuser is quite nice for this telescope although touchy, it will slip if not adjusted

just right. The two screws for adjusting must be balanced the same. Once I found

the 'point of equal pressure' I put clock hands on the heads and as long as they are

moved the same amount you will be Ok.

Robert

 

Edited by clamchip, 18 October 2024 - 10:37 AM.

[cavedweller]

When I took possession of my Meade 8" RG, the base looked like it had sat in two or three inches of water at one time. The casters were completely rusted and frozen; they wouldn't swivel or roll. The leveling hardware was also corroded. I removed all of it and have been using the scope with the pedestal just sitting on the concrete.

 

Well, today I got around to installing new casters on it. I installed them into the threaded holes where the levelers were. I used a round brass wire brush to clean out loose corrosion, then chased the threads with a 1/2"-13 tap. These Harbor Freight casters (https://www.harborfr...rake-57458.html) fit right in. The legs still need repainting.

 

Now I can leave the scope assembled and roll it in and out through the door:

 

 

.

[CHASLX200]

Cleaned up the GP wood tripod that tried to float out the front door when the water went out from the surge.It was like a river the water went down so fast and i had to go down the street to get some of my stuff.

[Cavs56]

I have been working on the Meade 826 slowly over the last month. I had the mirrors recoated by Majestic. I have collimated twice now and am very happy with the results. The best view of Saturn last night I have seen so far. I don’t think I had the secondary perfect the first try. Excited to see Jupiter now that it is set correctly.

[deSitter]

I picked up maxed-out ETX105-EC kit this week. Everything is in mint condition other than the #884 tripod bag. That had a bad rip. Had Can I sew, or can't I?

 

(Scope has UHTC, a hard screw-on dew shield, and the full leg set including the long leg counterweight. Oh, and a hard carry case. Don't see many of those.)

 

-drl

Edited by deSitter, 20 October 2024 - 11:03 AM.

[deSitter]

Made this bar for my Vixen Custom - allows use of standard rings.

 

-drl

 

 

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