17 replies to this topic

[fpastro]

Greetings!

 

Just purchased a ES 3001 6in F/6. Secondary mirror coating is toast but the glass is excellent.  I have questions and need some help, please, it's my first restore.

 

1. Secondary Recoat: I don't want to throw the Secondary glass away.  Any recommendations on a service that might be willing and able to recoat it?

Secondary mirror
Minor axis: 47.3 mm
Approximate major axis: 66.48 mm
Approximate thickness: 9.1 mm

 

 

2. Adhesive:  What adhesive is recommended?  I saw on line Dow 732, 3M VMP tape, Aquarium silicone.  While I'm not really building a watch, I do want to get the right adhesive for the job so I don't inadvertently damage the primary.

3. Tripod legs.  I have the fork mount but not the tripod legs any suggestions on where to source them?

 

Primary is in decent shape, I was able to gently and carefully wash it and its come back! Can't wait for the photons to hit it once again like it should.

 

Thanks !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Starman1]

Greetings!

 

Just purchased a ES 3001 6in F/6. Secondary mirror coating is toast but the glass is excellent.  I have questions and need some help, please, it's my first restore.

 

1. Secondary Recoat: I don't want to throw the Secondary glass away.  Any recommendations on a service that might be willing and able to recoat it?

Secondary mirror
Minor axis: 47.3 mm
Approximate major axis: 66.48 mm
Approximate thickness: 9.1 mm

 

 

2. Adhesive:  What adhesive is recommended?  I saw on line Dow 732, 3M VMP tape, Aquarium silicone.  While I'm not really building a watch, I do want to get the right adhesive for the job so I don't inadvertently damage the primary.

3. Tripod legs.  I have the fork mount but not the tripod legs any suggestions on where to source them?

 

Primary is in decent shape, I was able to gently and carefully wash it and its come back! Can't wait for the photons to hit it once again like it should.

 

Thanks !

Where are you located?

There are coaters all over the world, but that is a key piece of information needed.

Since the scope hasn't been made for many decades, it is unlikely you can find the legs.  You may have to make them since the tripod was so low and flat.

I would coat primary and secondary at the same time.  The primary reflectivity is likely to be very poor by now.  Typical coatings last about 10 years.

RTV silicone cement is what you want.

[fpastro]

Where are you located?

There are coaters all over the world, but that is a key piece of information needed.

Since the scope hasn't been made for many decades, it is unlikely you can find the legs.  You may have to make them since the tripod was so low and flat.

I would coat primary and secondary at the same time.  The primary reflectivity is likely to be very poor by now.  Typical coatings last about 10 years.

RTV silicone cement is what you want.

Thanks for the reply.  I am located in Rhode Island. I have seen some but don't know who to trust with this especially if I send the primary.

Edited by fpastro, 23 September 2024 - 01:59 PM.

[Starman1]

Thanks for the reply.  I am located in Rhode Island. I have seen some but don't know who to trust with this especially if I send the primary.

Ah.  Try Majestic in Virginia--cheap, fast, and good.

https://www.majestic...pe-coating.html

 

Pack like it'll be thrown around in the shipping depot.--at least 3" of foam on all sides.

[apfever]

Just a heads up on the unlikely prospect of finding a nice set of extra legs. It looks like I have a set of legs. I am in pm. 

 

fpastro,  pictures would help a lot. The mount assembly has several large parts. The forks, the hub, the RA housing, and the legs are all separate items.  You might need more than just the legs. You don't want to buy legs and be short another major part.   Pictures?  

 

This string would be better placed in the "Classic Telescopes" forum - absolutely.  This scope is a vintage classic that the members in that forum will be all over. 

Edited by apfever, 23 September 2024 - 05:44 PM.

[fpastro]

Just a heads up on the unlikely prospect of finding a nice set of extra legs. It looks like I have a set of legs. I am in pm. 

 

fpastro,  pictures would help a lot. The mount assembly has several large parts. The forks, the hub, the RA housing, and the legs are all separate items.  You might need more than just the legs. You don't want to buy legs and be short another major part.   Pictures?  

 

This string would be better placed in the "Classic Telescopes" forum - absolutely.  This scope is a vintage classic that the members in that forum will be all over. 

apfever thanks very much for your help.  I will take some pictures and post.

[Bomber Bob]

+1 for Majestic.  Excellent work on my Tinsley 6" Cass mirror set:

 

 

 

[fpastro]

Hi All,

 

I wonder if anyone has documentation, manual etc., for this scope?

 

 

[upwinddan]

I have the manual for both the fork mount and the OTA. Send me your email via PM and I’ll send you a copy. I believe the fork mount is very cool to look at or to display at a star party. However it is very difficult to assemble, polar align and operate. I found myself not using the scope because the mount was such a hassle. I made a dobsonian mount for mine that makes the scope very usable. I had my primary and secondary mirrors recoated and the optics are very good. 

I had a pedestal mount GEM version back in the mid 1970s which was a reasonable mount . 

Attached Thumbnails

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[apfever]

I have 8 pages of the "Assembly Instructions" for the 6" and 8" fork mounts. They are 8 pdf files with one page per file. I can email those if different from a manual or regular instructions.

Attached Thumbnails

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Edited by apfever, 24 September 2024 - 05:08 PM.

[fpastro]

I have the manual for both the fork mount and the OTA. Send me your email via PM and I’ll send you a copy. I believe the fork mount is very cool to look at or to display at a star party. However it is very difficult to assemble, polar align and operate. I found myself not using the scope because the mount was such a hassle. I made a dobsonian mount for mine that makes the scope very usable. I had my primary and secondary mirrors recoated and the optics are very good. 

I had a pedestal mount GEM version back in the mid 1970s which was a reasonable mount . 

That’s such a great setup.  I just sent my mirrors out for coating.  I can’t wait to capture first light!

[fpastro]

+1 for Majestic.  Excellent work on my Tinsley 6" Cass mirror set:

 

Tinsley - Mirrors Recoated T01.jpg

I agonized over this until I saw your post.  Sent mine out today.  Can’t wait to get them back.

[Bomber Bob]

Did ya tell 'em Bomber Bob sent ya??  [Probably a good thing if you didn't, now that I think about it.]

 

I think you'll be pleased with the results.

[Terra Nova]

I have the manual for both the fork mount and the OTA. Send me your email via PM and I’ll send you a copy. I believe the fork mount is very cool to look at or to display at a star party. However it is very difficult to assemble, polar align and operate. I found myself not using the scope because the mount was such a hassle. I made a dobsonian mount for mine that makes the scope very usable. I had my primary and secondary mirrors recoated and the optics are very good. 

I had a pedestal mount GEM version back in the mid 1970s which was a reasonable mount . 

I think that is a wonderful mod! It all looks so consistent that know one wouldn’t know it wasn’t all original unless they knew the original design. I can understand how you will get so much more use out of it!

[Starman1]

I think that is a wonderful mod! It all looks so consistent that know one wouldn’t know it wasn’t all original unless they knew the original design. I can understand how you will get so much more use out of it!

Though the original tracked and had no problem with the zenith. It did have some issues with eyepiece position at different places in the sky.
The main issue I saw in the field was polar alignment.

[Kasmos]

Though the original tracked and had no problem with the zenith. It did have some issues with eyepiece position at different places in the sky.
The main issue I saw in the field was polar alignment.

or tripping over those crazy wide spread legs! 

[Starman1]

or tripping over those crazy wide spread legs! 

or the legs on this mount:

https://www.cloudyni...ike/?p=10494168

I hope that person didn't buy it for $90.  Mine was $69.95 when brand new in 1963, and came with setting circles, a couple eyepieces, a planisphere, and a variable Barlow.

[deSitter]

Did ya tell 'em Bomber Bob sent ya??  [Probably a good thing if you didn't, now that I think about it.]

 

I think you'll be pleased with the results.

I'm going to now!

 

-drl