9 replies to this topic

[DarthMuffin]

Hello all!  I have a new-to-me Orion XT10g.  The lid (dust cap?) is really loose, like it just rattles around and falls off.  Any idea what I'm missing here?  My first guess is a rubber band or o-ring, second guess is the plastic tabs are just fatigued and worn out.  Nothing looks broken.  Pic attached.

 

Attached Thumbnails

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Edited by DarthMuffin, 06 December 2024 - 09:50 PM.

[mrowlands]

The lids on my GSO dobs fit snugly, but I've used self-adhesive felt pads for other lids/caps.  You can find a variety of sizes and thicknesses.

 

https://www.acehardw...re-pads/5021985

 

Mike R.

[SoCalPaul]

In case it needs to be replaced, I've often used shower caps for my closed-tube Dobs, like this: https://a.co/d/6QolZlw

 

Clear skies,

Paul

[Bill Weir]

Velcro is your friend in this situation. With my 1999 6” the tight fit is long gone. In two spots I have some of the felty bits attached to the tube then I have strips of the hooks glued at one of their ends to the outside of the cap so that the other end can reach to the felt. Easy peasy.

 

Bill

Edited by Bill Weir, 06 December 2024 - 11:01 PM.

[emflocater]

Have tried to gently bend all  the largest tabs toward the outside and see if it will fit more snug after?

 

Cheers

Don

[wrvond]

Hello all!  I have a new-to-me Orion XT10g.  The lid (dust cap?) is really loose, like it just rattles around and falls off.  Any idea what I'm missing here?  My first guess is a rubber band or o-ring, second guess is the plastic tabs are just fatigued and worn out.  Nothing looks broken.  Pic attached.

Nothing missing. My old XT10g and current XT12i did the same thing. A small strip of self adhesive Velcro on the edge of the lids snugged them up nicely.

[cuzimthedad]

Welcome to Cloudy Nights Darth!

[kfiscus]

The loose fit is a common problem.  Here's how I fixed my dust caps on two 12" GSO scopes.

 

I used my heat gun on its low setting and heated several of the tabs judiciously and one at a time.  I held each tab in needle-nose pliers and pointed the heated air at the tab until the plastic just began to soften.  I very gently bent the tabs outward about 1/32".  I only had to do a few of the tabs spaced around the perimeter.

Edited by kfiscus, 10 December 2024 - 07:17 PM.

[DarthMuffin]

Have tried to gently bend all  the largest tabs toward the outside and see if it will fit more snug after?

 

Cheers

Don

I just did.  Heated each up with my heat gun, bent them out about 1/8th inch (with a glove on) and held until they cooled.  Fits perfectly now, thanks.

[Kuba_81]

my lids on GSOs are tight inside the house, but loosen up outside when it's cold.