1143 replies to this topic

[Astrophoche]

A buddy of mine just gave me his Meade LX3, I’m pretty sure it’s an LX3; however, there is quite a bit missing from it. I bought a power cord but i don’t know what size eyepiece connector I need for the prism. I bought a 2” adapter reduced down to a 1.25” for a 1.25” 90 degree prism I bought but the 2” doesn’t fit the back of the telescope.  Sorry for the blurry photos. 

Nice project!  So it sounds like you need a "Visual Back.(T adapter)" So when you say a 2" that might mean a 48mm with a different thread pattern. My VB opening is 49mm I think. I haven't tried my MTS (Meade LX3ish scope) back on my Celestron C8 but most all things are interchangeable with those old scopes. The only time I have run into problems with the T connection is with newer Celestron products. There is a bunch of threads on threads if you want to hear how sausage is made. I don't have a spare VB but maybe someone else does. 

[norvegicus]

I don't know what an LX3 is specifically, but you need a threaded adapter, probably something from this page:

 

https://scopestuff.c...Visual Adapters

 

Which one depends on which thread you have there.  An SCT thread, or the common Maksutov thread, or maybe the Meade ETX thread.  You need to measure the thread.

 

If it's the usual small SCT thread (2" - 24)then this would be the simplest choice:  https://scopestuff.com/ss_adt2.htm

 

Thread info:  https://agenaastro.c...-explained.html

Edited by norvegicus, 12 March 2025 - 06:05 PM.

[deSitter]

I don't know what an LX3 is specifically, but you need a threaded adapter, probably something from this page:

 

https://scopestuff.c...Visual Adapters

 

Which one depends on which thread you have there.  An SCT thread, or the common Maksutov thread, or maybe the Meade ETX thread.  You need to measure the thread.

 

If it's the usual small SCT thread (2" - 24)then this would be the simplest choice:  https://scopestuff.com/ss_adt2.htm

 

Thread info:  https://agenaastro.c...-explained.html

The "thread info" page needs to be a sticky. Great reference.

 

I doubt it's the ETX thread. That's just its own world.

 

-drl

[Kasmos]

I'm not a Meade guy but doesn't jackiemarieily just need a standard/common SCT 1.25" visual back? The type fits both most Celestrons and Meades?

[deSitter]

I'm not a Meade guy but doesn't jackiemarieily just need a standard/common SCT 1.25" visual back? The type fits both most Celestrons and Meades?

The earliest Meade SCTs did not have what we consider now a standard thread. But that may only apply to the 2080 and 2010.

 

-drl

[oceanoprofondo7]

Does anyone still have some original replacement stickers and other accessories for an astrophysics 152 f12?

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Edited by oceanoprofondo7, 14 March 2025 - 03:57 PM.

[norvegicus]

Here's a prototype.  

 

It looks nicer in person.

 

An unpredicted issue was the size and location of the holes.  I had to adjust the text size and position to work around them, leaving room for a screw head.  A bonus was I could make the DESITTER larger.

 

I can adjust anything, but this is so tiny that it's at the limit of my laser's resolution.  I might try to adjust the text spacing so the letters don't run together so much,  I might have to make them smaller to make it work.

 

I bought ten pieces and have blown through three getting it set up, adjusted, and working.   I can always buy more of course.

 

Cost with materials and laser time will be $3 each plus shipping.

 

Edited by norvegicus, 16 March 2025 - 03:38 PM.

[norvegicus]

Yeah this is a bit better.

 

These are hard to photograph.  It's nice and clean and sharp in person.

 

[deSitter]

Yeah this is a bit better.

 

These are hard to photograph.  It's nice and clean and sharp in person.

 

IMG_4900.jpeg

Perfect! Will PM when back home.

 

-drl

[jragsdale]

Yeah this is a bit better.

 

These are hard to photograph.  It's nice and clean and sharp in person.

 

IMG_4900.jpeg

That's so cool! I need to get a replacement badge for my Lafayette Galactic, I wonder if that technique would work for it?

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[Garyth64]

I like the idea of making replacement badges.  There's a couple I'd like to have made and remade.

[jkmccarthy]

That's so cool! I need to get a replacement badge for my Lafayette Galactic, I wonder if that technique would work for it?

I like the idea of making replacement badges.  There's a couple I'd like to have made and remade.

+1 from me also ... great work, Sean and DeSitter !    As found, my cherished Vixen SP-90L OTA was in great (unblemished) condition, except it lacked its Vixen red-print on brushed gold-tinted (aluminum or brass?) badge --- its only notable flaw in its debut on CN (see: https://www.cloudyni...6#entry12629877).  Longer-term, in my projects queue are two rescue-OTAs (one Polaris-era SA-70S, one GP-era Vixen ED102S) that likewise are both currently Vixen-badge-less.  Simply for illustration purposes, from his Dark Star web site in Italy, here is Paolo's Polaris-90L badge:

 

 

Would probably be simpler to reproduce with black print left behind on a brushed gold-tinted background (e.g., this https://www.jpplus.c...-aluminum-sheet or else https://www.jpplus.c...-aluminum-sheet ? ... and the badge on my SP-DX mount actually is black-print on a brushed gold-tinted background ...), but locating starting material leaving red print behind would require more exhaustive searching --- *not* a search I'm asking anyone here to undertake simply on my behalf !

 

But if anyone here may be searching on-line for related / other purposes of their own, and might happen to run across material that would yield red-print left behind on a brushed gold-tinted background, please do kindly pass along any starting-material-supplier(s) offering this combination.  (... At present I'm definitely *not* in any rush to pursue this ...).

 

Clear Skies,

 

        -- Jim

Edited by jkmccarthy, 17 March 2025 - 02:55 PM.

[norvegicus]

Jim, your application is more difficult as that is a big decal that conforms to the tube. I will shop around though.

The metal plates are simply anodized aluminum.

I don’t have a way to laser cut metal to shape, so I am using premade blanks. Decal material may be doable depending on its nature. Vinyl is no go for laser cutting.

Jragsdale, no problem. Look at the link I posted above for the engraving plates vendor and choose a size. Probably best to work from a scan or photo and use the image.

 

Edit:  here's the link:  https://customengrav...graving-plates/

Edited by norvegicus, 17 March 2025 - 05:05 PM.

[norvegicus]

I like the idea of making replacement badges.  There's a couple I'd like to have made and remade.

Happy to.  Figure out what you want.  The various laser engraving blanks are here:  https://customengrav...graving-plates/

 

I used black on aluminum for Desitter's project, 1 1/2" x 3/4"

 

I can generate them from scratch like his if it's simple text and maybe a simple logo, or I can use an image, or a combination.

[norvegicus]

I just realized I can probably cut aluminum sheet precisely with my CNC router....  Jim if you find some material let me know. 

 

 

 

Edit:  just found this acrylic product that I can process completely with the laser.  It's flexible and you can get it with adhesive backing.  it's out of stock at Johnson's and expensive.

 

https://www.jpplus.c...?sku=602657-QTR

 

Jim if you can find some and send it to me I'd be happy to try some Vixen labels.

Edited by norvegicus, 17 March 2025 - 05:20 PM.

[Mike W]

Need a Polaris, Super Polaris or Great Polaris "STYLE" tripod hub. 

Edited by Mike W, 18 March 2025 - 08:06 PM.

[Kasmos]

Need a Polaris, Super Polaris or Great Polaris "STYLE" tripod hub. 

My Polaris has a smaller hub than my Super Polaris so you might want to be more specific.

The the tines are different in size as are the legs.

[Mike W]

I wondered about that, thanks!

[ngc4910]

Hi! I have a 1970s C5, that was originally supplied with a metal dust cap. It's this C5:  https://www.cloudyni...try/?p=14017848

 

I am looking for the original metal dust cap for this model. Long shot, but worth a try -- please send me a message if you've one of those in your 'spares' drawer!