56 replies to this topic

[Stewc14]

I received the 160 I had bought months ago. I will take pics soon. The equatorial mount is disappointing. I will need to get photos to see what it's supposed to I look like,type of finish the original was done in etc. it appears a bit roached

its missing the box so I'm sure this played a part in its condition.

it appears that it had another smaller scope. There is a spot in the case that is empty.

finder is there.

weight driven drive is in good shape it appears.

all boxes need refinishing,filling even.

eye pieces need a cleaning. I would like to get the larger eyepiece box.

everything needs redone it seems to bring the old girl back .

tripod needs total redo. Metal tips there.

this came from UC Berkeley I'm told.

it has a unitron folder

If anyone has advice please share it.I would like to give her a make over.

 

[Terra Nova]

The other telescope that you mention as missing is probably the 60mm guide scope. Other than that, pictures and greater specificity of particular problems will be a great help in getting your questions answered. Regards to the finish on the mount, I had an older model 152 Unitron 4” and the finish on the mount was a very dull black, and every time that I wiped it down to clean/polish it, the stuff would come off like India ink or boot black. I was told that this was characteristic of some of the old mounts and that the original finish had broken down in time under the effects of sunlight, moisture, and oxidation.

[starman876]

PM me if you want some tripod tips or other parts. 

[Wisconsin Steve]

Nice scope!

 

Pics would be great. I used to own one of these and still have all my pictures of it so can provide for reference if needed.

 

Steve

[apfever]

Avoid being aggressive with the finish to start.  I used Meguiar's Quick Detailer.

Go to about the middle of this page link, entry #111.

 

Uni finish link

[Stewc14]

The other telescope that you mention as missing is probably the 60mm guide scope. Other than that, pictures and greater specificity of particular problems will be a great help in getting your questions answered. Regards to the finish on the mount, I had an older model 152 Unitron 4” and the finish on the mount was a very dull black, and every time that I wiped it down to clean/polish it, the stuff would come off like India ink or boot black. I was told that this was characteristic of some of the old mounts and that the original finish had broken down in time under the effects of sunlight, moisture, and oxidation.

I can't figure how to get my pics resized to go on here. Soon as I can I'll post

[blakestree]

If you upload them to your Gallery you can then embed them, rather than attaching a smaller image.

 

I, too, am anxious to see pictures!

Edited by blakestree, 23 March 2021 - 12:26 PM.

[CHASLX200]

The black paint chalks up on these old Untirons. Mine would rub off on your hand on my pre 1955 M-160.  It was not stored away right and sat on a back porch for over 30 years when i got it.

Edited by CHASLX200, 23 March 2021 - 06:06 PM.

[starman876]

I have a few of these older mounts and have not had the problem with the paint. Maybe if kept outside this becomes an issue.  Mine are kept in a temp controlled room so the paint always looks good.

[CHASLX200]

Depends on how it was stored. This was on a porch with winders and i know it sat from the 1960's till 2005 on that porch. The lens on the guide scope and main OTA were shot and the weight drive was missing but had the chain and weight and other parts. But $500 it was not a bad deal.

[Terra Nova]

I have a few of these older mounts and have not had the problem with the paint. Maybe if kept outside this becomes an issue.  Mine are kept in a temp controlled room so the paint always looks good.

The only Unitron I ever had that had the paint issue was the mid to late ‘50s model 152.

[starman876]

The only Unitron I ever had that had the paint issue was the mid to late ‘50s model 152.

I have not seen the problem in any 152 mount I have or have had.  So this must be not very common.

[Stewc14]

Hello " md owns" is resizing and soon pics will be posted. Thank you for your kindness.

[mdowns]

Don't forget to send them to me 

[Stewc14]

Trying to get pics uploaded

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[Stewc14]

There is a place for a guide scope place but no scope and the case shows a place with no rings. The mount has no box. Like to find one. Tool box is missing a couple tools..

would it be bad to powder coat it and have the circles chromed ?

[photiost]

Congrats on your 160

 

Those weight driven drives are so cool !!

[CHASLX200]

Looks like a 1957 made 160. Looks like someone sanded the mount. The paint on these older scopes chalks up and just comes off at the touch like on my pre 1955 M-160.  You got the jar lid dust cap also like on mine.  So could even be a 1956 made scope. They changed many things around 1958. You also have all the metal SLO- MO rods and the bigger RA knob.

[Wisconsin Steve]

Lots of goodies, including a weight driven clock drive and a Super Unihex!

 

Have fun with the project.

 

Steve

[starman876]

A lot of nice eyepieces, super Unihex, 60 and 40mm eyepieces, weight drive, weight drive rods. very very nice.    PM me if you need anything.    Do you have the tripod and the metal tripod shelf the weight drive site on?  Do you the weight drive weights?

[starman876]

The short length of the latitude adjuster makes me think this scope was meant for southern parts of the country. 

[starman876]

There is a place for a guide scope place but no scope and the case shows a place with no rings. The mount has no box. Like to find one. Tool box is missing a couple tools..

would it be bad to powder coat it and have the circles chromed ?

It would be great to have the mount powder coated.  Having the circles rechromed is not easy because the engraved numbers would also get rechromed making them hard to see.  there is a special process to redo the numbers on the setting circles. 

[Stewc14]

I’ll have to try and assemble and see if everything kind of works. I do have the tripod and metal tips now. I have the plate for the drive to sit on. I have 3 weights. Which ones go with the drive? Here are a couple more pics.

[starman876]

The big round weight is the first one for the weight drive.   The ones with the slots are for the weight drive and you add them to make the weight drive spin more accurately.

[starman876]

The piece with the hook on it attaches to the cable of the weight drive.  You put the hook up through the large round weight and then connect it to the weight drive cable.