35 replies to this topic

[Garyth64]

I just picked up this scope this morning  Tasco 10TE, sn 070854.  76.2mm x 1200mm RAO lens

 

 

There isn't a model number on the box name plate:

 

 

My 10TE-5 has a reg. no of 510600

 

It is not a complete kit.  There aren't any eyepieces, and there isn't a finder. (but there was a metal cap for the finder!)

There is a diagonal prism and an erector prism, but both are very dirty.

 

The box is a disaster.  There isn't a bottom, and the top needs to be replaced.  (anyone know a decent carpenter?)

 

 

The tube is ok, there aren't any dents, but there are lots of scratches in the paint.  Some are down to the metal.  The dew shied is in very good condition, and it is round.  The trash can lid for the lens needs some TLC.

The focuser is fine no chips in the black paint, the chrome isn't too bad, but it needs a little shimmage.

 

The lens:

 

 

The lens is in very good shape.  I was surprised.  There aren't any scratches or clams.  It does need a cleaning, and it looks like a water spot between the elements.

In the box, there were three tiny screws.  Ahhh, they were taken out of the lens cell!  It will have to be re-aligned anyway as I can see it's out of alignment.

 

The mount is complete with its little levers and cables.  The clamshell needs new felt.  The thin metal setting circles aren't dented, that was a surprise.

The wood tripod is ok, the finish has a lot of scratches and marks.

 

I think this scope will be a keeper.  Not knowing it's condition until I got it home and could really take a good look at everything, I had thought that maybe it would be a parts scope. Nope, I'll fix it up and get it usable.  (that's the fun stuff.)

 

More to come . . .

Edited by Garyth64, 05 July 2020 - 02:17 PM.

[ccwemyss]

I just picked up this scope this morning  Tasco 10TE, sn 070854.  76.2mm x 1200mm RAO lens

 

The box is a disaster.  There isn't a bottom, and the top needs to be replaced.  (anyone know a decent carpenter?)

 

When you say the "top," do you just mean the plywood sheet? If it's just the veneer, you can peel off the remains and replace it with something like a door skin. 

 

It also looks like you're missing the internal box for the focuser and eyepieces. I had to build them for one of mine. Took some time, but wasn't hard.

 

 

Chip W. 

[Defenderslideguitar]

Good good good       nice find and you have the knowledge and skill and hopefully time

     we look forward to your reports of progress on this nice keeper

[Garyth64]

When you say the "top," do you just mean the plywood sheet? If it's just the veneer, you can peel off the remains and replace it with something like a door skin. 

 

It also looks like you're missing the internal box for the focuser and eyepieces. I had to build them for one of mine. Took some time, but wasn't hard.

 

10TE5 - 1.jpg

10TE5 - 2.jpg

10TE lids - 1.jpg

 

Chip W. 

I will be replacing the top plywood sheet, and adding in a bottom sheet.  All the little sections of petrified felt will be replaced too.

[oldmanastro]

This is a wonderful find. You will enjoy the views through the 76mm f/16 lens. Congratulations!

 

Guido

[walter a]

Nice find Gary I hope the views are similar to your two 6339-A.

[photiost]

Great find, and it looks complete.

 

These RAO 76.2mm objectives give excellent images 

 

Congrats. 

[Garyth64]

There were a lot of extra things included that are not part of the original kit.  A couple of adapters, a 1-1/4" VB, and some sleeves.

 

There was an odd item labelled "Telescope M90D", sn 6494. It is from WWII and the Korean War, and is part of a M20 recoilless rifle.  There is a reticle pattern on the inside when looking thru it, and from research, it gives an erect image 3x with an 11 degree field.  It could be used for small monocular.

 

From doing a little looking around here on CN about a 10TE, I found some things about it, and how it varies from my 10TE-5:

The SN puts it as made about 1960.

It has a one bolt cradle.

The mount has an azimuth scale, and a bubble.

The focuser has hollowed out knobs, and has the long 13" draw tube.

The tripod is identical to a Sears 6339a, but the 10TE-5 tripod wood is a bit larger.

The eyepiece tray has only 4 holes.

Edited by Garyth64, 06 July 2020 - 11:59 AM.

[Garyth64]

The lens clean up ok.  I just don't have a knack for it.  I used alcohol, Acetone, and even some hydrogen peroxide.

 

The "spot" between the elements was water!  Some how it had gotten wet.  But from the water, I guess there was some calcification from the cell that got onto the edge of the crown.  It would not come off.  If you look closely, maybe not in the photo, there is still a water spot from the water that was between the elements.

Other than that, the lens is in excellent shape.

 

,

 

I think it will be fine for viewing.

Edited by Garyth64, 06 July 2020 - 11:09 AM.

[Garyth64]

From a section of wood that came in the box, this is the layout that matches what I will make:

 

-it is the piece that is by where the CW stows.  It is almost a square piece with a notch on top.

 

I wish I had a scrap box that I could cut sections of wood from.  I think the wood is Honduras Philippine  mahogany.

Edited by Garyth64, 06 July 2020 - 09:36 PM.

[Chuck Hards]

Japanese boxes should be Plillipine mahogany.  Honduran would be new data to me.

[Garyth64]

Now that you mentioned it, you are correct.  It slipped my mind.  Duh, the Philippines are in the Pacific near Japan. Honduras is in Central America.

I will edit my post for correctness. 

 

Thanks.

[Garyth64]

When you say the "top," do you just mean the plywood sheet? If it's just the veneer, you can peel off the remains and replace it with something like a door skin. 

 

It also looks like you're missing the internal box for the focuser and eyepieces. I had to build them for one of mine. Took some time, but wasn't hard.

 

10TE5 - 1.jpg

10TE5 - 2.jpg

10TE lids - 1.jpg

 

Chip W. 

Chip,  from what I see from your photos, those are exactly the design that I believe is mine. I will replicate them.

[Garyth64]

I made the accessory box:

 

 

 

Now I just have to make its lid for the eyepiece tray and the sun projection screen.

[deepwoods1]

Very nice craftsmanship! 

[Garyth64]

Very nice craftsmanship! 

Thanks, I just tried to copy what ccwemyss (Chip) made.

Edited by Garyth64, 12 July 2020 - 07:17 AM.

[Garyth64]

Here's the top of the accessory box:

 

 

It holds the eyepiece tray, the sun screen and its bracket.

 

 

Tomorrow I'll but a bottom in the big box.

 

There's still some little pieces of wood that need to be affixed on the bottom for the CW, the flex cable, and the mount.  Then I'll put green felt wherever it's needed.

Edited by Garyth64, 12 July 2020 - 06:16 PM.

[ccwemyss]

I also made a little caddy that sits between the accessory box and the front of the box, which has holes to hold the counterweight shaft and the slow motion cables. It keeps them from rattling around against each other. 

 

Chip W. 

[Garyth64]

Getting ready to attach the new bottom:

 

 

put some things in the box to see how it all will fit:

 

 

I am going to put in a couple of cross braces inside the bottom of the box to add strength.

 

I didn't use any screws or nails to hold things in place.  Just glue and clamps.

Edited by Garyth64, 13 July 2020 - 08:33 PM.

[Garyth64]

Here's just about everything placed in the box:

 

 

Just a few things to finish up:  secure the CW in its spot, using a section of wood with a bolt; secure the clam shell with another block of wood and a bolt with a metal bracket.

 

Then it's on to the lid . . .

[Terra Nova]

Beautiful work Gary! As always. You sir are a master craftsman!

[Garyth64]

Beautiful work Gary! As always. You sir are a master craftsman!

Thanks, but a "master craftsman", not so much, I'm just an old carpenter.

 

I think Chip did a better job on his.

[photiost]

Awesome job !!

[oldmanastro]

Wow, that's a terrific job on that 10TE box. I wish that the manufacturers had retained the wood compartments and retainers instead of going all the way to styrofoam.

 

Guido

[Garyth64]

Here is the top section of the box lid ready for its new skin:

 

 

 

You can see the additional cross braces in the bottom, that were added for strength.

All the little pieces of wood have been glued down.  Both sections of wood for the CW, and for the clamshell, have blind nuts attached in the bottom.

 

 

Here's the top of the box with its new skin:

 

 

Next up is removing all the hardware from the outside of the box, sanding it all down and staining the new skins to match.  

After the stain sets, I'll polyurethane the outside.  The inside I don't think I'll stain, but I might apply some polyurethane with a rag.

Edited by Garyth64, 15 July 2020 - 08:16 AM.