44 replies to this topic

[jragsdale]

I’m converting mine over to alt-az. I got rings and a Vixen rail for it, made a stainless steel and aluminum handle, and plan to use it with my modern Japanese Sightron alt-az mount and tall wooden tripod. It’s also been converted to 1.25” with a Vixen visual back. It will be fun to compare it with my Takahashi FC-76. I plan to use it as an outreach scope when the moon is well placed. They are an impressive length and such a classic look. It will be fun to do some outreach solar white light viewing with my Lunt Wedge while we have a lot of sunspot activity. I figure folks would get a kick out of seeing it in action.

Gorgeous! I love the wooden legs on it, the black metal legs aren't very attractive (and are wobbly to boot).

[rcwolpert]

Once again my Mayflower 814, 815, and 80mm 816. I have since given away the 814 to a friend, who has basically ruined it.    The 816 has the best optics of any telescope I’ve viewed through. 

 

[Bomber Bob]

Bob, that is one Tremendous Trio!!

 

I followed-along with your restore work eagerly -- and The Proof of your Labors is in the pudding.

[Terra Nova]

Gorgeous! I love the wooden legs on it, the black metal legs aren't very attractive (and are wobbly to boot).

Thanks but those legs haven’t been on it for years. It’s back to the original metal legs. One difference is that it has a black metal Vixen triangulation tray which seems to add a little stability, (when legs and tray are locked tight with their wingnuts).

[Bomber Bob]

Long Live this Yamamoto!

 

Whew!  I think my SYW 60 F7 finally has a Home:

 

 

This MIZAR Yoke Mount suits it to a Tee.  Very smooth motions - a good thing as there's no Slo-Mo gearing.  Should be fine for low to medium powers.  Hoping to find that out this week.

[Bungee]

Since y'all are Yamamoto owners, I'll "ask" this here (I may have already answered my question).

 

My first views through my new to me 815 were disappointing to say the least. First with the supplied ep's, then adapting to 1.25's, I could only achieve focus at the lowest magnifications as the draw tube was racked all the way in. I set it aside for a while to sleep on it and concluded the glass had been tampered with.

 

This evening I took out the glass, marked it as it came, then flipped it and put it back. Kapow, now it works! I still used the 1.25's, but I can run through all sizes with phenomenal results. I even ran it up to 303x on the Moon with no disappointment. Out of a 6" drawtube, it only uses about the inner third, but it doesn't seem to matter.

 

So, my "question" is, did I do the right thing? I should add the objective clearly had been taken apart sometime in the past.

[jragsdale]

So, my "question" is, did I do the right thing? I should add the objective clearly had been taken apart sometime in the past.

Absolutely! Just make sure the spacers stayed put and check the Newton rings and collimation if you can. But if you got 300x+, you're probably on the money.

[Kasmos]

Since y'all are Yamamoto owners, I'll "ask" this here (I may have already answered my question).

 

My first views through my new to me 815 were disappointing to say the least. First with the supplied ep's, then adapting to 1.25's, I could only achieve focus at the lowest magnifications as the draw tube was racked all the way in. I set it aside for a while to sleep on it and concluded the glass had been tampered with.

 

This evening I took out the glass, marked it as it came, then flipped it and put it back. Kapow, now it works! I still used the 1.25's, but I can run through all sizes with phenomenal results. I even ran it up to 303x on the Moon with no disappointment. Out of a 6" drawtube, it only uses about the inner third, but it doesn't seem to matter.

 

So, my "question" is, did I do the right thing? I should add the objective clearly had been taken apart sometime in the past.

If it didn't work before, and it does now, you did the right thing.

 

[Bungee]

Thanks for the reassurance. At this point I think I should just leave well enough alone.

[Werckmeister]

And another SYW Yamamoto Model CA-60. This one is labelled Denkar with the same label as the one from Brazil. Beautiful telescope. Two spacers were missing and the finder is not original. The hay is still fresh. Have not had the opportunity to use it yet.
Greetings
 

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[Astrokg]

I have the same model, marketed as Sport Master here in New Zealand. It's a nice scope with pinpoint stars etc...

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Edited by Astrokg, 21 January 2025 - 08:15 PM.

[deSitter]

I have the same model, marketed as Sport Master here in New Zealand. It's a nice scope with pinpoint stars etc...

That looks very much like the casting and knobs on my Sears 6344, a 76/1200mm SYW scope. I would say the AO scopes with that spec are just a tiny bit better optically - not enough to matter on sky targets. The mechanics are superior to AO - it is lighter weight and has better castings.

 

-drl

Edited by deSitter, 22 January 2025 - 05:24 AM.

[LukaszLu]

Here is my example. This model has already appeared twice in this thread under different brands. Mine is marked with the MILO brand and differs from them in the design of the tripod. The tripod is made according to the design used with, for example, larger Royal Astro refractors - i.e. the lower element has a round cross-section. As for the appearance, this is my favorite type of tripod, pleasing to the eye with its elegant form. The paintwork is typical of older Japanese tripods - white base coat and transparent coloring varnish. However, the JTII sticker suggests that this is a specimen from 1973-1976.

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Edited by LukaszLu, 23 January 2025 - 02:53 PM.

[Werckmeister]

Yes, the rounded legs are very nice Lucas. Alas, my specimen's are rectangular.  It comes not with a JTII stcker but wit a cardboard lable, numbered F557054, perhaps 1970?

The wood wool in my box predates the styrofoam in yours I'd say. 

It seems the SYW model CA-60 was availale in at least five continents, Africa may yet show up, Antarctica unlikely, Mr Yamamoto got around!

[LukaszLu]

You're right, the styrofoam in the box also indicates that this is not the oldest version. From the previous owner's account, my specimen was originally purchased in Italy.

[Bomber Bob]

Yes, the rounded legs are very nice Lucas. Alas, my specimen's are rectangular.  It comes not with a JTII stcker but wit a cardboard lable, numbered F557054, perhaps 1970?

JIT k.jpg

The wood wool in my box predates the styrofoam in yours I'd say. 

It seems the SYW model CA-60 was availale in at least five continents, Africa may yet show up, Antarctica unlikely, Mr Yamamoto got around!

IF the JTII round badge numbers are alphabetical...  your F could be circa 1960 -- my Sears 6336 started with a Y...

[Napersky]

How do we know that the SEARS 6344 are made by SYW?

[deSitter]

How do we know that the SEARS 6344 are made by SYW?

It is marked on the little metal cover over the pinion gear. It is one beautiful OTA.

 

-drl

 

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Edited by deSitter, 26 January 2025 - 01:09 AM.

[PiSigma]

How do we know that the SEARS 6344 are made by SYW?

Here's a pic of the stamping on mine, although they didn't stamp it very well.

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[Werckmeister]

IF the JTII round badge numbers are alphabetical...  your F could be circa 1960 -- my Sears 6336 started with a Y...

Confusing business these stickers and badges! I came across a post you made about dating and badges.You are dead-on there as I have a Jupiter /Pentax badged #B7123 like on your badge and a date: 4. 4. 1956 as you proposed.