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Restoring a classic 6" f15 Goto refractor

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#1 Mike W

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Posted 10 July 2017 - 08:56 AM

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

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Edited by Mike W, 10 July 2017 - 09:00 AM.

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#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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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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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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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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#6 combatdad

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Posted 10 July 2017 - 09:15 AM

A "high school" with an observatory AND a 6" Goto is pretty amazing in itself!!!

 

Dave


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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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#9 Mike W

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Posted 10 July 2017 - 09:20 AM

The objective on the 4" f15 guide scope was dirty but cleaned up nicely! BTW it threw up some fine images itself!

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#10 Mike W

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Posted 10 July 2017 - 09:40 AM

Well finally starting to disassemble the scope.

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#11 Mike W

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Posted 10 July 2017 - 09:42 AM

All the secondary scopes are off.

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#12 Mike W

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Posted 10 July 2017 - 09:44 AM

The 6" main objective was dirty but cleaned up nicely

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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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Posted 10 July 2017 - 09:52 AM

This is outstanding.  You are to be commended, sir.  bow.gif

 

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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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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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!

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Edited by Mike W, 10 July 2017 - 11:20 AM.

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#19 Mike W

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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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Posted 10 July 2017 - 10:02 AM

Dry as a bone!


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#21 Mike W

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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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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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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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Posted 10 July 2017 - 10:11 AM

The two piece main tube.

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#25 Mike W

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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.

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Edited by Mike W, 10 July 2017 - 10:16 AM.

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