24 replies to this topic

[godelescher]

Just arrived today and missing a counterweight.

 

The CW shaft is 20mm. Which is the same size as a Vixen GP counterweight. I don't know enough about other eq5 mounts to know if they also use the same shaft diameter.

 

I'd love to find a Carton counterweight, but I think the chances of that are slim, so I'm going to post a wanted ad in the classifieds. I just don't know if I should ask for Vixen CWs or any EQ5 CW.

 

If you know one way or the other, please do chime in. Thanks.

[sdedalus83]

I’ll measure my Mizar clone’s shaft to see if it’s the right size. Nope, too small.

Edited by sdedalus83, 09 April 2021 - 07:39 PM.

[blakestree]

You can get white Vixen counterweights for 20mm shaft, right now, over at http://www.vixenoptics.com/

 

I think they would look cracking.

 

 

edit:

Hmm, looks like they're out of stock, except for the 3.7kg.

Edited by blakestree, 09 April 2021 - 06:46 PM.

[Russell Smith]

If you have an old Polaris mount the shaft threads are the same so, a temporary fix.

Like this.

 

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[photoracer18]

I have one of the smaller white Vixen weights. I was going to use it temporarily on my Tak EM-2 (18mm shaft) but decided to instead buy three of the 16mm iOptron black weight and drill them out to 18mm. One Tak weight costs as much as three iOptron weights.  The Vixen weight looks pretty close to new and I can let you have it for 2/3 of new including shipping and PP fees paid by me.

[godelescher]

I've decided I'm going to make my own out of balsa wood. I can still paint it to match and the light weight of the balsa should make the telescope easier to move around. If anyone else wants a balsa counterweight, let me know. I can make a couple.

[walter a]

Hard to see in that photo but I did use a vixen sp weight on the carton mount for a 5 inch scope.

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[blakestree]

I've decided I'm going to make my own out of balsa wood. I can still paint it to match and the light weight of the balsa should make the telescope easier to move around. If anyone else wants a balsa counterweight, let me know. I can make a couple.

Out of curiosity, how much counterweight do you figure you need for that scope?

[clamchip]

To buy raw steel rod is expensive.

So to bypass this predicament I go on ebay and buy cheap counterweights and

drill to my weight shaft diameter if needed.

This way you get a finished weight. 

Black would look nice on your Carton, I see black bits here and there on your mount.

Another great thing about the import weights is they have a soft tip so the screw

doesn't mark up the shaft.

 

Robert

[PawPaw]

Out of curiosity, how much counterweight do you figure you need for that scope?

According to the Carton system diagram the CST mount for the 80KU model the counter weight weighs 9 kg.

 

Don

[blakestree]

According to the Carton system diagram the CST mount for the 80KU model the counter weight weighs 9 kg.

 

Don

Wow, okay. Must be one heavy 80. Thanks, Don!

Edited by blakestree, 12 April 2021 - 08:29 AM.

[PawPaw]

Wow, okay. Must be one heavy 80. Thanks, Don!

My eyes are bad this am.......2.9 KG  not 9  

[jaliteuk]

Have you thought about Barbell weights,they usually start around 3lbs and have a central hole ,which MIGHT fit your shaft, I have them on a Solar EQ mount. Usually much cheaper than an Astro weight, John.

[rfic1]

I would just weigh your OTA and rings and figure your counterweight should be 2/3rd’s of that.

I have a Carton mount and the weights for the Vixen GP,SP work perfectly. If you are concerned with the color I would think you can find a rustoleum or krylon color which is very close.

[Universe XY]

Looking for  a replacement weight shaft at this time for a Monolux COC. Seller didn't include it & hasn't responded where it is. Must have lost it in his storage as it was there in the photo;s.

 

Would a vixen shaft work thread wise? Wonder if mine is 20mm but it's a 60mm scope not 80mm.

[Universe XY]

You can get white Vixen counterweights for 20mm shaft, right now, over at http://www.vixenoptics.com/

 

I think they would look cracking.

 

 

edit:

Hmm, looks like they're out of stock, except for the 3.7kg.

Easier to get a 20mm Vixen weight then to find the 20mm shaft with the right threads for the Carton.

 

Stupid question but will a Vixen 20mm weight shaft work in the Carton?

 

Trying to hone in on a shaft without replacing the entire weight & shaft etc.

 

Got to bother the seller again. He had the shaft so how did he lose it & not send it with the scope...

[Universe XY]

I would just weigh your OTA and rings and figure your counterweight should be 2/3rd’s of that.

I have a Carton mount and the weights for the Vixen GP,SP work perfectly. If you are concerned with the color I would think you can find a rustoleum or krylon color which is very close.

Carton weight is a little less than 2.75 lbs

Edited by Universe XY, 12 March 2025 - 11:45 PM.

[Universe XY]

If you have an old Polaris mount the shaft threads are the same so, a temporary fix.

Like this.

Is this true? Might have a lead on one Part number 5010149

 

Might be a car part!!!! Oh, the search goes on!!!!

Edited by Universe XY, 12 March 2025 - 11:59 PM.

[apfever]

My Carton shaft and weight are both smaller than the Vixen Polaris series mounts. 

 

 

My Carton 60mm X 910mm has a weight shaft with an M12X1.75 thread and a 14mm shaft body.  The threaded end is stepped down from the main shaft body. The threaded end is 27mm long. The smooth shank is 220mm long, total rod length is 247mm. The shaft is tapped for a toe guard. The toe guard screw is a philips M6X1 by 10mm thead length. The trick part is the special sized washer for the toe guard. The outside diameter of the washer needs to be no more than 17.5mm.  The washer has to fit inside the large bore on the counterweight but not slip through the small end of the counterweight.

 

The Vixen Polaris series is a 16mm threaded rod, M16X2 that fits nothing on my Carton.

 

I might be missing some Styrofoam in my box, possibly a top piece that would fit into the lid. I can not find any location for my weight shaft or solar screen. 

Edited by apfever, 13 March 2025 - 01:14 PM.

[Universe XY]

My Carton shaft and weight are both smaller than the Vixen Polaris series mounts. 

 

 

My Carton 60mm X 910mm has a weight shaft with an M12X1.75 thread and a 14mm shaft body.  The threaded end is stepped down from the main shaft body. The threaded end is 27mm long. The smooth shank is 220mm long, total rod length is 247mm. The shaft is tapped for a toe guard. The toe guard screw is a philips M6X1 by 10mm thead length. The trick part is the special sized washer for the toe guard. The outside diameter of the washer needs to be no more than 17.5mm.  The washer has to fit inside the large bore on the counterweight but not slip through the small end of the counterweight.

 

The Vixen Polaris series is a 16mm threaded rod, M16X2 that fits nothing on my Carton.

 

I might be missing some Styrofoam in my box, possibly a top piece that would fit into the lid. I can not find any location for my weight shaft or solar screen. 

There are 3 styrofoam sections. The top fits into the lid. It has the sun screen, sun shaft, weight shaft, tripod tray, manual etc.

 

Thanks for the info on the weight shaft. I'll have to figure it out. I have had a lot of advice but don't want to buy from the aliexpress or amazon.

 

 

My solar screen is white. I think there might have also been a black one with it but I don't have that. Really not interested in the solar screen use so that doesn't matter to me. Wish the solar screen shaft would double as a weight shaft but it is different.

Edited by Universe XY, 13 March 2025 - 04:33 PM.

[Kasmos]

There are 3 styrofoam sections. The top fits into the lid. It has the sun screen, sun shaft, weight shaft, tripod tray, manual etc.

 

Thanks for the info on the weight shaft. I'll have to figure it out. I have had a lot of advice but don't want to buy from the aliexpress or amazon.

 

weight shaft CN missing20250222_135336 red.jpg

 

My solar screen is white. I think there might have also been a black one with it but I don't have that. Really not interested in the solar screen use so that doesn't matter to me. Wish the solar screen shaft would double as a weight shaft but it is different.

I'm not crazy about either of them as well. You should be able to find a suitable replacement on ebay.

Maybe one from a small Celestron GEM. There are a few sellers of new Celestron and other Synta and  Chinese parts that sell that kind of stuff.

 

Because it was a quick search I can't say it's the right threads, but you should be able to find one somewhere on Ebay that either gives the specs or you can inquire for them with the seller.

 

https://www.ebay.com...ZkAAOSweHhkIvoC

[Universe XY]

I'm not crazy about either of them as well. You should be able to find a suitable replacement on ebay.

Maybe one from a small Celestron GEM. There are a few sellers of new Celestron and other Synta and  Chinese parts that sell that kind of stuff.

 

Because it was a quick search I can't say it's the right threads, but you should be able to find one somewhere on Ebay that either gives the specs or you can inquire for them with the seller.

 

https://www.ebay.com...ZkAAOSweHhkIvoC

My head is swimming with that weight shaft. It seems it's not common & from what I have been informed the original weight & weight stop won't work on other shafts but there is one set that might screw into my mount. Just makes the scope seem botched. There are a few who have posted the exact specifications of threads etc but matching it is going to be a gamble. 

 

I have to find the post. Someone said I think a Sky Watcher weight setup might work.

[k5apl]

I have this CW and CW Shaft surplus to my needs.  It is from a Sears 4 6305-A scope.  The shaft is 11.9mm dia and about 8.25 inches long.

Wes

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[apfever]

I have the black screen for the solar set, but I'm missing the white one. 

Make a rod from 14mm stock. Drill and tap one end for the toe guard. The hard part would be turning down the other end to 12mm, then run a die down it. 

[Universe XY]

I have the black screen for the solar set, but I'm missing the white one. 

Make a rod from 14mm stock. Drill and tap one end for the toe guard. The hard part would be turning down the other end to 12mm, then run a die down it. 

Beyond my skills...Thanks

I have this CW and CW Shaft surplus to my needs.  It is from a Sears 4 6305-A scope.  The shaft is 11.9mm dia and about 8.25 inches long.

Wes

Looks to be similar but think the orig is longer. Hoping to find some parts old classic Japanese with a shaft that would work. A shaft should be cheap enough.

 

I think they came with both a black & white screen. There is a smaller empty spot on top to the left of the white screen. 

Not really interested in the solar screen. would rather have the weight. The seller must have lost it somehow. Really bums me but I got a reduced price.

Edited by Universe XY, 21 March 2025 - 09:55 PM.