I was contracted by Bridgeport high school in CT. to bring their 6" Goto refractor back to life a few years back. It was quite an experience and I'd like to share the adventure.
Mike W
Attached Thumbnails
Edited by Mike W, 10 July 2017 - 09:00 AM.
Restoring a classic 6" f15 Goto refractor
Started by
Mike W
, Jul 10 2017 08:56 AM
112 replies to this topic
#2
combatdad
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Posted 10 July 2017 - 08:58 AM
Looking forward to every detail, Mike!!!
Dave
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#3
Mike W
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Gemini
Posted 10 July 2017 - 09:01 AM
Looking forward to every detail, Mike!!!
Dave
I'm just working with the photos to downsize so they will fit, this may take awhile!
#4
Mike W
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Gemini
Posted 10 July 2017 - 09:06 AM
As you can see, I have my work cut out for me. This is the RA worm drive that ended up cleaning up nicely and was regreased with white lithium. (After full disassembly)
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Edited by Mike W, 10 July 2017 - 09:07 AM.
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#5
Mike W
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Gemini
Posted 10 July 2017 - 09:12 AM
There wasn't really any money in the budget for re-painting but I made a few exceptions such as this poor dew shield!
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#7
Mike W
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Posted 10 July 2017 - 09:16 AM
The front lens on the plate camera had been vandalized and was not restorable. The teacher had no plans to use it anyway.
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#8
combatdad
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Posted 10 July 2017 - 09:20 AM
I like that Goto used serial numbers; if only Nihon Seiko had done the same!
Dave
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#13
Mike W
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Posted 10 July 2017 - 09:47 AM
Here I'm using a feeler gauge to get the main objective back in collimation after re-assembly. As it turned out collimation was spot on when done!
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#14
Chuck Hards
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You don't know Swift from Astrola
Posted 10 July 2017 - 09:52 AM
This is outstanding. You are to be commended, sir. 
Keep the pics coming!
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#15
Mike W
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Posted 10 July 2017 - 09:54 AM
My helper, Bob Carruthers. Some of these pieces were too heavy for one person to handle. The heavy pieces found a temp. home on the observatory floor!
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Edited by Mike W, 10 July 2017 - 09:54 AM.
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#16
oakman72
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Vostok 1
Posted 10 July 2017 - 09:55 AM
Very interesting project! My junior college had an observatory but a high school? That is a rarity!
Edited by oakman72, 10 July 2017 - 09:56 AM.
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#17
combatdad
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Posted 10 July 2017 - 09:57 AM
The pedestal seemed to be in excellent condition!
Dave
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#18
Mike W
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Gemini
Posted 10 July 2017 - 09:57 AM
The mount less the two piece tube, auxiliary scopes, counter weights, control rods. Actually one control rod left.
For anyone stuck in the computer age those big black round circles with the markings are setting circles!
Attached Thumbnails
Edited by Mike W, 10 July 2017 - 11:20 AM.
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#19
Mike W
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Gemini
Posted 10 July 2017 - 10:01 AM
The declination shaft bearing being removed to pull the Dec. shaft. The bearings look worse than they were, they cleaned up nicely.
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Edited by Mike W, 10 July 2017 - 10:02 AM.
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#20
Chuck Hards
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You don't know Swift from Astrola
Posted 10 July 2017 - 10:02 AM
Dry as a bone!
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#21
Mike W
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Gemini
Posted 10 July 2017 - 10:04 AM
The mount with the Declination and RA shafts removed.
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#22
Mike W
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Gemini
Posted 10 July 2017 - 10:09 AM
The RA and Dec shafts and huge RA gear! Looks like I've already cleaned them up.
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Edited by Mike W, 10 July 2017 - 10:10 AM.
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#23
leveye
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Aurora
Posted 10 July 2017 - 10:10 AM
Great thread and great work on a wonderful telescope. Those lucky kids!
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#24
Mike W
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Gemini
Posted 10 July 2017 - 10:11 AM
The two piece main tube.
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#25
Mike W
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Gemini
Posted 10 July 2017 - 10:14 AM
Some of the accessory scopes in the warm room below the observatory. The finder, the 4" guide scope less obj., the plate camera and the 500mm wide field.
Attached Thumbnails
Edited by Mike W, 10 July 2017 - 10:16 AM.
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