36 replies to this topic

[terrapin]

Picked up this up this lovely vintage RAO refractor this afternoon. Happy to discover that it's a very complete kit with everything packed in its place. A couple items appeared to still have the original unopened tissue pressed around them. A bunch of eyepieces. Solar viewing attachment. Erector. Barlow. Manual.

 

Had a fun time assembling it this evening and going through everything. It's my third Royal Astro scope, joining a 7TE-5 and 50mm f/10 Royal branded.

 

The telescope seems to be in good condition, but some parts are dirty. The box is in bad shape but that's okay, I'll figure something out. Doesn't seem like any significant work needs to be done. First light on the moon just now looked nice and sharp.

 

Can someone help me date this, please? Thanks!

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Edited by terrapin, 22 February 2021 - 02:06 AM.

[terrapin]

The objective is a bit dirty. Looks like water spots, but I don't see any fungus or issues.

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[terrapin]

Manual and other good stuff.

 

Gotta love the cute metal dust cap on the finder! Looks like it was painted last week.

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[terrapin]

I'm having an issue with azimuth clamp screw. It doesn't seem like it will go in far enough to clamp. Maybe it's the wrong screw. Seems like the head is too big and won't let the screw go in far enough. The azimuth stay unlocked and was a hinderance while using the scope. Any suggestions about what's going on here?

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[strdst]

 

Can someone help me date this, please? Thanks!

Meet for a coffee? Dinner and a movie? Bring flowers? 1969?

[terrapin]

Meet for a coffee? Dinner and a movie? Bring flowers? 1969?

Well I already took her out how under the moonlight.

 

Yeah, at first I thought it was 1979, but did they even make them that late?

[colinrasmussen]

Picked up this up this lovely vintage RAO refractor this afternoon. Happy to discover that it's a very complete kit with everything packed in its place. A couple items appeared to still have the original unopened tissue pressed around them. A bunch of eyepieces. Solar viewing attachment. Erector. Barlow. Manual.

 

Had a fun time assembling it this evening and going through everything. It's my third Royal Astro scope, joining a 7TE-5 and 50mm f/10 Royal branded.

 

The telescope seems to be in good condition, but some parts are dirty. The box is in bad shape but that's okay, I'll figure something out. Doesn't seem like any significant work needs to be done. First light on the moon just now looked nice and sharp.

 

Can someone help me date this, please? Thanks!

My first telescope some 50 years ago was a Tasco 2" refractor my parents bought me for Christmas. They created a monster. My sister, who was an arts student, had to take a science course for her BA and chose astronomy. At 11 years old she had me tag along to the tutorial because I knew all the constellations. My Dad was a machinist and built me an aluminum tripod to replace the crappy one that came with the scope - it was a work of art. Every time I see a Tasco scope it brings back great memories.

[terrapin]

Sun projection screen assembly.

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[apfever]

The azimuth lock looks correct. There is supposed to be a brass pin that the lock knob pushes on. The end of the brass pin is tapered where it engages the mount.

Try removing the knob and seeing if a pin is installed in the hole.

[terrapin]

First light. This photo was taken through the 40mm AH Tasco circle-K eyepiece that was in the kit.

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[terrapin]

The azimuth lock looks correct. There is supposed to be a brass pin that the lock knob pushes on. The end of the brass pin is tapered where it engages the mount.

Try removing the knob and seeing if a pin is installed in the hole.

 

Thanks, that's the problem. There's no pin and it's not anywhere in the kit.

[LukaszLu]

I'm having an issue with azimuth clamp screw. It doesn't seem like it will go in far enough to clamp. Maybe it's the wrong screw. Seems like the head is too big and won't let the screw go in far enough. The azimuth stay unlocked and was a hinderance while using the scope. Any suggestions about what's going on here?

You swapped the azimuth lock with the declination brake knob.

Look closely at the lens - the photo is small and it is difficult to judge its condition on the basis of it, but the spots that can be seen may indicate the presence of a fungus between the lenses.

Congratulations - it's amazing scope!

Edited by LukaszLu, 22 February 2021 - 06:35 AM.

[apfever]

Your azimuth lock is correct, not swapped with anything.

The azimuth lock, dec lock, and RA lock are all distinct and correct.

 

The azimuth lock should have a long threaded section about 1" from head to tip.

The head is 9/16" diameter (14mm).  

 

These knobs are all plated brass so be careful with them, they are soft. 

[LukaszLu]

Your azimuth lock is correct, not swapped with anything.

Yes - I'm sorry, this is me who swapped the locks. They should work OK in both positions however.

[Senex Bibax]

Volcano top eyepieces too!

[Defenderslideguitar]

Congrats all around    very nice

[semlin]

very nice.  i believe that is a 1969 like my dump scope based on first number of s/n.  it matches both my 69 and 62 for appearance.  the box looks like my 7-te5 which is a "76xxx" serial number.

 

you have 5 eyepieces instead of the three each that came with my early 10te and 7te-5

 

most importantly, how did you take that moon photo?

[terrapin]

Your azimuth lock is correct, not swapped with anything.

The azimuth lock, dec lock, and RA lock are all distinct and correct.

 

The azimuth lock should have a long threaded section about 1" from head to tip.

The head is 9/16" diameter (14mm).  

 

These knobs are all plated brass so be careful with them, they are soft. 

Pretty sure I have the correct azimuth lock but the internal pin is missing.

 

Anyone have a suggestion about how I can replace the missing brass pin?

[terrapin]

very nice.  i believe that is a 1969 like my dump scope based on first number of s/n.  it matches both my 69 and 62 for appearance.  the box looks like my 7-te5 which is a "76xxx" serial number.

 

you have 5 eyepieces instead of the three each that came with my early 10te and 7te-5

 

most importantly, how did you take that moon photo?

Thanks for the info!

 

I took the photo with my smartphone, which I attached to the 40mm eyepiece and original diagonal using the Orion Steadypix EZ adapter. I do this kind of photography frequently so it wasn't too tricky.

[semlin]

Thanks for the info!

 

I took the photo with my smartphone, which I attached to the 40mm eyepiece and original diagonal using the Orion Steadypix EZ adapter. I do this kind of photography frequently so it wasn't too tricky.

 

nice.  i guess i need to invest in one of those.

[semlin]

Pretty sure I have the correct azimuth lock but the internal pin is missing.

 

Anyone have a suggestion about how I can replace the missing brass pin?

 

i will try and grab a photo tonight so you know what you are missing.

[terrapin]

You swapped the azimuth lock with the declination brake knob.

Look closely at the lens - the photo is small and it is difficult to judge its condition on the basis of it, but the spots that can be seen may indicate the presence of a fungus between the lenses.

Congratulations - it's amazing scope!

Yeah upon closer inspection today there could be some fungus. I've got the lens in the sun right now. I figured cooking the fungus would at least stop any further progress.

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[semlin]

Thanks for the info!

 

I took the photo with my smartphone, which I attached to the 40mm eyepiece and original diagonal using the Orion Steadypix EZ adapter. I do this kind of photography frequently so it wasn't too tricky.

so i was looking at these and it says the minimum diameter they will grab is 31mm.  are you using a spacer or will they in fact grab the 26mm diagonal tube?

[terrapin]

so i was looking at these and it says the minimum diameter they will grab is 31mm.  are you using a spacer or will they in fact grab the 26mm diagonal tube?

 

Actually, great point! I'm glad you asked. I was using spacers with the Steadypix but I just realized those came with the other smartphone adapter I own -- the Celestron NexYZ. But I use those spacers with both.

 

The NexYZ is a somewhat better adapter, but it's significantly heavier and bulkier which can be an issue sometimes. One advantage the NexYZ has, though, is you can adjust the distance between the eye lens and the camera lens. I noticed last night that the camera was too far away from the 40mm eyepiece cutting off a significant amount of the field. Not enough eye relief. I could barely get the whole moon in. Obviously it depends on the eye relief with the particular eyepiece you're using.

 

There are trade-offs for both adapters. That's why I have both. (And, yes, sometime I attach them to the diagonal instead of the eyepiece itself when necessary.)

 

Here are the NexYZ spacers I was using last night and the set up with the Steadpix EZ.

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Edited by terrapin, 22 February 2021 - 05:47 PM.

[LukaszLu]

Yeah upon closer inspection today there could be some fungus. I've got the lens in the sun right now. I figured cooking the fungus would at least stop any further progress.

I am not sure if this method will be effective. Some people try to expose the fungus to direct UV light. But what will happen when you "heat" the fungus through the layer of glass that filters the UV rays? I'm not sure...