18 replies to this topic

[Glassthrower]

Well, I found out what my mystery vintage mount is...

drum roll please...

http://www.spacealbe...t/80mm/80mm.htm

It is the same mount seen with this nice Towa 80mm long f/l refractor. Needless to say, when I bought this mount, I thought it was the similar but smaller model that came with the 60mm scopes. I think this mount can capably handle my 100mm f/6 short tube. The page I linked even has instructions on how to modify a Celestron EQ-3 drive to fit the mount.



What real purpose does the azimuth scale serve?

And where can I get a replacement bubble level that will fit the mount? This is one dried up.

Regards and clear skies.......

MikeG

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[Glassthrower]

Another pic. I also have the long, chrome slo-mo cables , big counterweight, and 80mm clamshell with camera shoe.

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[dbledsoe]

Mike,

Do you know how the bubble level attaches to the mount, held on with a screw, glued on, etc.? I have some round bubble levels that I bought several of a while back. I glue them to the mount with a dab of silicon, which works quite well. I'll check if I have one similar to yours. Could you post a close up of the bubble level?

Don

[Glassthrower]

The bubble level is captive under a flange that is screwed down. It looks removable. I take a close up photo of it tonight and post it.

Thanks...

MikeG

[Darenwh]

That mount is exactly like my first scopes mount. It was one of the Sears 80MM's. I sure wish I had that scope.

Daren

[Glassthrower]

Unexpected drama occurred last night, so I didn't get a new pic posted....I will get one up later this afternoon.

Daren, did you click on the "spacealberta" link at the top of this thread? It has some really nice photos and background info on the Towa/Meade/Sears 80mm scope.

I've been using the "little brother" of this mount for some time now, and I liked it a lot. I can't wait to try out this bigger, beefier version.

Regards and clear skies...

MikeG

[GeneDiG]

It's the same mount that my ol' 11T sits on.

[Glassthrower]

Gene,

If you don't mind me asking you a few questions about that mount - since you own it and use it.

What useful purpose does the azimuth scale at the base of the mount serve? I'm a total newbie when it comes to using EQ mounts and setting circles. Up until recently, I have just used them in Alt-Az mode.

You 114mm Newt, what is the focal length on that? I'm trying to gauge how solid this mount is at higher powers when holding a scope bigger than it was designed for. How well does it do with your newt?

And, did you regrease your mount? The grease on mine is about 30 years old and it's very stiff and tacky. Will it free up some with use or should I regrease it?

Clear dark vintage skies...

MikeG

[GeneDiG]

Mike,

I really don't know what the azimuth scale does on this mount. I think it's there to give the mount a "scientific instrument " look about it, frankly. It would make a nice alt-az hub since it has the degree circles already added, all one would need is an inclinometer for dobsonian stlye setting circles.

This was my first equatorial mount and I didn't know how to use it until I downloaded Orion's EQ2 instructions. I mostly starhop, so I can't comment on the setting circle accuracy.

As for my 11T it's the old f/8 OTA at 900mm updated to use 1.25 EP's and I've added a 6x30 finder. I'm good to about 150 x, but I don't think that's because of the mount. I need to learn better collimation techniques.

I've also mounted my 80mm f/11 Firstscope on the mount and I've been able to go to about 200 x without much fuss. I think the 114mm newt was about the limit for the mount. I tried attaching my 130mm Mak using a 1/4-20 adapter on the EQ2, but that was unacceptable.

The biggest problem I have had is that when you loosen the screw to adjust latitude, the whole mount wants to come crashing down to 0 degrees latitude. I have to loosen the screw and raise the mount by hand to the proper latitude while viewing Polaris through the finder. Then I need to really lash that screw down once we get aligned. Heavy OTA's have a tendency to cause the head to swing back down to 0 degrees.

If you notice, later veriosns of the EQ2 have a different latitude adjuster screw which uses a crank to crank the head into the proper position.

I regreased my mount too. I wound up using a professional sample of Teflon lube from Miller Stephensen. ( It was free! )I cleaned the gear train with Miller Stephensen degreaser ( another free sample!)and applied fresh grease.

Hope this helps,

Gene

[GeneDiG]

Here's the link to Orion's instructions on the EQ2...
http://www.telescope..._eq-2_mount.pdf

Gene

[Glassthrower]

Don -

Here are some pics of the bullseye level :

If you have a replacement laying around that you don't need, let me know and I can PayPal you something for it.

Regards

MikeG

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[Glassthrower]

Another....the entire flange is 25mm in diameter. The compass part is 15mm.

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[dbledsoe]

Mike,

I think I might but it'll be chrome rather than black. Let me check tonight when I get home and I'll get back to you.

Don

[dbledsoe]

Mike,

Does this look like it will work? The lower flange on this one is .873" diameter. The bubble level itself is .590" diameter. that may be a wee bit smaller than your 25mm flange diameter but it should work. Of the screw holes don't line up just put a dab of RTV silicon on the bottom and let it sit over night. It won't go anywhere unless someone delibertly tries to pry it off.

If you think it will work PM me with a mailing address and I'll pop it in the mail to you.

Don

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[dbledsoe]

And another photo.

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[Glassthrower]

Don, that looks exactly like it. I'll PM you my address. I appreciate it. I looked all over the web for one of those things. As long as it's close, I'll make it fit. It's nothing a rubber mallet or dremel tool can't fix!

I wish I could get my camera to focus up close like that. I can't get a good picture of something that small and that close.

Clear skies...

MikeG

[dbledsoe]

Mike,

I bought the bubble levels (several different styles) from McMaster-Carr http://www.mcmaster.com/ a couple years ago. MC has tons of stuff that atronomy junkies can use to build or rebuild telescopes and mounts. They are an industrial supply house but they stock all sorts of goodies. I've ordered UHWM tape with sticky stuff on one side in several different thicknesses, a huge chunk of Delrin bar to make spacers and adapters, tubing, various fittings, screws, etc. I go to them for my telescope making stuff as well as car stuff(stuff to help me put a Buick V6 into my Porsche 914). Check them out sometime. Oh, and they ship promptly too.

By the way, the bubble level is in the mail to you.

Don

[Glassthrower]

Hi Don,

I got the level today. Boy that was fast. The flange on the new one is just a hair smaller and the holes don't quite match. But I did manage to attach the level by matching one hole and just using one screw instead of three. It works and holds it tightly. I only notice the two empty screw holes if I look very closely. It's definitely 110% better than the dried-up level that was there before. I might later using the dremel to re-drill some holes for all of the screws and attach it proper. But right now it works and that is the important thing. I will attach a photo when I get a chance to take one.

Thanks again and clear skies in your direction...

MikeG

[Darenwh]

Glassthrower,
I saw the site. It's excellent. The scope is the same as my first one with the exception of mine being one of the Sears rebranded scopes.
Thanks,
Daren