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$30 Marketplace Find: 8" Meade Starfinder

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#1 Jack Day

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Posted 16 February 2024 - 07:41 PM

Missing some parts but perhaps can be salvaged.  Stored uncovered in a barn for 20 years.  Doh!

 

Tube is sonotube, in poor condition.

Secondary is mostly kaput!

Primary needs cleaned and re-coated, but should be usable.

Missing power cords, and not sure if the clock drive works. Hoping we can salvage it.

 

Any tips on restoring the EQ mount?

 

Thanks in advance!

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#2 CHASLX200

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Posted 16 February 2024 - 07:43 PM

Good for that price.


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#3 apfever

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Posted 16 February 2024 - 09:53 PM

So sad. Don't bother, not worth it. It has straps too and straps seriously stink.  I'll take it for $40 and do something productive with it. That's a 30 percent make on your investment. Dang, it's so bad off there's no way to make transport practical.      

 

Oh well, in that case, Nice Score! Check your clock drive to see if it is combination 9V battery with 12V jack, or if it is strictly a 115V version. I prefer the straight 115V version. Try this LINK HERE for more info. There are probably a large number of strings on this if you do a search on CN. 


Edited by apfever, 16 February 2024 - 10:03 PM.

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#4 AstroApe

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Posted 16 February 2024 - 09:55 PM

If nothing else you've got an 8" primary and the base for a future portable pier mount project out of the deal.
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#5 Bomber Bob

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Posted 17 February 2024 - 08:50 AM

Any tips on restoring the EQ mount?

 

The EQ breaks down easily.  Parts with light rust I'd hit with Rustoleum Spray Gel & a vinyl-bristle brush.  Parts with deep rust would go in a wallpaper tray or a bucket with Citrus-smelling rust remover, and stay in until clean.



#6 apfever

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Posted 17 February 2024 - 09:14 AM

"Citrus-smelling rust remover,..."

Hmmmm, is that an acid based rust stripper like the phosphoric acid based paint strippers that are popular in citrus/orange?  

 

I buy the new rust desolvers like Metal Rescue and EvapoRust in gallons. A stiff plastic brush is a good idea to remove excess rust first without damaging any remaining plating or bare surface.  The fluids are reusable so it's a good idea to remove any easy excess rust first.  I'll be brushing these floppies to remove excess rust, then they go into the tube with EvapoRust to soak. I'll usually wash metal parts with Dawn liquid first but I don't want to get water inside the coils. I want the Evapo to work through the floppies full strength. These will also get flexed back and forth in a tray of Evapo in order to open up the weave of the winding.  It will take a few treatements till I'm happy with the clarity of the drained fluid. 

 

The friendly rust desolvers are now available in a lot of versions including powder concentrates. They are all water based. 

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#7 Bomber Bob

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Posted 17 February 2024 - 09:47 AM

If EvapoRust is an orange liquid, then yes.  Otherwise, the last liquid I used is the environmentally-safe & reusable stuff.




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