41 replies to this topic

[rolo]

This is my second NK 65. I  lightly restored one a while back and gave it to good friend that fell in love with it. This one is pretty rough but its all there and everythging works. My delima is wether or not to do a full restoration that will require lots of time and some expen$e. Or, should I just clean up the all optics and lube & tune the mount? My energy is greatly limited because of my health issues (dialisys) so I'm leaning towards a good cleaning and tuning. Then again this scope would be a real beauty fully restored.  

 

I don't know what to do right now but here are some pics, some are mine some from the original ad. Whats with the cheesy plastic focus knobs?

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[rolo]

The mount is very dirty and a bit stiff so it will at least need a disassembly and lube job. The slo-mo control is smooth and the legs are solid with no cracks. Its a heavy mount too, heavier than it looks.

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[rolo]

Objective and digonal prism will need some cleaninng

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[rolo]

Serial # on finder scope and diameter/focal length on cell. I can say that the last one had an excellent DPAC test and at f/15 virtually color free. A real performer despite its rather small aperture.

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Edited by rolo, 08 December 2019 - 12:29 AM.

[Kokatha man]

So rolo, from your 2nd post it looks like these mounts employed a type of tangent arm for the RA & a lockable ball-head for latitude...the slot with the lever just above the tripod legs' "triple-tree" locking the ball-head & those 2 wing-head-type screws locking both axes..?

 

I presume Dec motion is just hand-movement - I vaguely remember seeing one of these types of mounts before - is this a fairly early model btw..? Certainly looks like a "resto" job if possible..!

 

The plastic focus knobs must surely be ring-ins..?!?

[Kokatha man]

ps: or does the ring below the ball-head lock the ball in its socket & the lever in the slot gives rotational movement..?

[rolo]

So rolo, from your 2nd post it looks like these mounts employed a type of tangent arm for the RA & a lockable ball-head for latitude...the slot with the lever just above the tripod legs' "triple-tree" locking the ball-head & those 2 wing-head-type screws locking both axes..?

 

I presume Dec motion is just hand-movement - I vaguely remember seeing one of these types of mounts before - is this a fairly early model btw..? Certainly looks like a "resto" job if possible..!

 

The plastic focus knobs must surely be ring-ins..?!?

The focus knobs are original, seen them before andI would assume the scope is from the 60's ? The RA slo-mo cable has a large ball head and the dec just a hand movement.

 

ps: or does the ring below the ball-head lock the ball in its socket & the lever in the slot gives rotational movement..?

The ball head serves two purposes, alt adjust and azimuth orientation. The ring is decorative.

[CHASLX200]

Looks mid 50's.

[Terra Nova]

Those were sure beautiful instruments. I wonder why they almost always shoe up all beat up and rusty? It seems more consistently than any other brand, the N-K seem to show up as tho they were salvaged from a shipwreck. Why? IDK! Anyway, its a great find R. They are pretty rare and are purported to be very fine optically. They certainly have a cool look as well. Ditch those awful knobs tho! I’d love to know what the hell happened to the originals!?

[CharlieB]

My 50mm NK is from 1956 and this 65mm looks to be older - early 1950's would be my guess.  The early ones I have seen photos have the ball mount that has the slot that restricts movement.  The new ones have a full-motion ball & socket, which makes it a bit tougher to align the scope.

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[CharlieB]

I'm pretty sure those are the original focuser knobs on your 65mm.

[Bomber Bob]

Charlie, how rigid / stable is that ball-socket?  I think it's a really cool feature, and these are beautiful refractors, but is that latitude & azimuth adjuster firm enough in regular use?

[CharlieB]

The ball & socket is very firm, locks easily and stays put.  It's a very nice design.

[Van Do9:3]

Rolo,

 

Awesome rescue. There must be a lot of history in that NK. A full restore, especially a Rolo restoration, would add to its lineage. Is there a fellow classics enthusiast in your area you could mentor in the restoration? Or if not, perhaps send the mount or parts you cannot work on to fellow CNers who have the time and expertise to help with the restoration process?

 

Thanks for the thread and praying for restoration of your health.

[Bomber Bob]

The ball & socket is very firm, locks easily and stays put.  It's a very nice design.

I didn't think Nikon would market something rickety.  In Rolo's pix, I see a lever in the "pedestal" base -- I suppose that engages a clamp for the ball socket.  Tool-free solution -- I like that.

[rolo]

I didn't think Nikon would market something rickety.  In Rolo's pix, I see a lever in the "pedestal" base -- I suppose that engages a clamp for the ball socket.  Tool-free solution -- I like that.

The ball head is very solid when locked and doesn't require gorilla strength. 

[rolo]

The objective and prism cleaned up perfectly with no need to seperate the elements. That's a bit of a relief! Now its ready for assembly, collimation and first light.

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Edited by rolo, 08 December 2019 - 02:19 PM.

[rolo]

Eyepieces cleaned up well with no coating damage.

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[clamchip]

When I purchased mine it was the same, dirty OTA and accessories but not bad, the mount

and tripod look like it fell off the ship somewhere's between Japan and here and recently found.

The tripod legs on all I've seen are pretty ugly, very blotchy finish but I don't dare refinish

these, just maybe wipe with water and a sponge, and wipe with some boiled linseed oil.

If you would like to use 1.25" a Celestron barlow body slips right into the focuser tube.

Robert  

 

Edited by clamchip, 08 December 2019 - 08:01 PM.

[clamchip]

Here's my mounting for telescope number 2588.

Notice the ball n socket is the uncapped wide open version, and yellow felt in the clam and in

the case. Round tripod legs.

 

Edited by clamchip, 08 December 2019 - 08:46 PM.

[rolo]

Here's my mounting for telescope number 2588.

Notice the ball n socket is the uncapped wide open version, and yellow felt in the clam and in

the case. Round tripod legs.

 

Yours is like the last one I had with metal focus knobs, solid round legs and the serial # on the focuser. The one I have now has the plastic focus knobs, no serial # on the focuser but on the finder scope and the legs are split which I do like better. I also like the slotted ball head mount to keep it from moving side to side.

 

Your serial # is 2588, my last one was 2823 and this one is 2135 (based on the finder scope) so I would agree with Charlie B that this one is an older model.

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[strdst]

My 2 cents...

Of the five of these 6.5 CM telescopes I currently own, three had finder scopes. I also have a 5CM with a finder scope.

 

2534 /1516 finder

2978 /1975 finder

White knob style no serial #/ 2620 finder

 

5CM 2431/1670 finder serial number

 

As the finder scopes were sold as options I don't think they are at all reliable for dating the main scope.

 

I have export tags showing the (what I believe) older telescopes, round dowel legs, serial numbered, telescopes to be from the mid 1950's. My one telescope (like yours) came without an export tag, nicer split wood tripod legs, nylon/soft plastic focus knobs (not 1950's Bakelite) what I believe is evolution, at least for the times. I believe these are from the 1960's. Only 4 eyepieces, smaller lighter wood cases, no serial numbers.

 

Not an expert, just a Nippon Kogaku enthusiast.  

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Edited by strdst, 09 December 2019 - 01:05 AM.

[strdst]

about face!

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Edited by strdst, 09 December 2019 - 01:10 AM.

[Piggyback]

Congratulations on another excellent find, rolo. Following closely on your restorations. Can't wait to see her shine. Plastic focuser wheels don't seem the right thing. Like Bratwurst in a Sushi restaurant. 

[rolo]

My 2 cents...

Of the five of these 6.5 CM telescopes I currently own, three had finder scopes. I also have a 5CM with a finder scope.

 

2534 /1516 finder

2978 /1975 finder

White knob style no serial #/ 2620 finder

 

5CM 2431/1670 finder serial number

 

As the finder scopes were sold as options I don't think they are at all reliable for dating the main scope.

 

I have export tags showing the (what I believe) older telescopes, round dowel legs, serial numbered, telescopes to be from the mid 1950's. My one telescope (like yours) came without an export tag, nicer split wood tripod legs, nylon/soft plastic focus knobs (not 1950's Bakelite) what I believe is evolution, at least for the times. I believe these are from the 1960's. Only 4 eyepieces, smaller lighter wood cases, no serial numbers.

 

Not an expert, just a Nippon Kogaku enthusiast.  

Nice Nippon collection and thanks for the info too. I really like the split leg tripod, it gives it a more finished look instead of them round posts! Mine didn't have an export tag either but it did have a bunch of sewn bags with silica gel.

 

Did you do any restoration on yours?