Jump to content

  •  

CNers have asked about a donation box for Cloudy Nights over the years, so here you go. Donation is not required by any means, so please enjoy your stay.

Photo

Can someone tell me the gauge of wire was used in classic Celestron finderscope crosshairs?

  • Please log in to reply
7 replies to this topic

#1 Keith Rivich

Keith Rivich

    Cosmos

  • *****
  • topic starter
  • Posts: 8,111
  • Joined: 17 Jun 2011
  • Loc: Cypress, Tx

Posted 12 April 2025 - 03:09 PM

We used to use what we called "Angel Hair" wires that could be dug of of old automotive speed sensors. Very fine wires, just not sure the gauge. 

 

A quick Google search shows .0005 to .0015 wire (in inches) is used in most rifle scopes.


Edited by Keith Rivich, 12 April 2025 - 03:11 PM.


#2 emflocater

emflocater

    Mercury-Atlas

  • *****
  • Posts: 2,505
  • Joined: 05 Jul 2011
  • Loc: Clarkson, N.Y.

Posted 12 April 2025 - 03:33 PM

There was a post with in the last week or so about replacing cross hairs. Do Forum search and you should find it.

 

Cheers

Don



#3 emflocater

emflocater

    Mercury-Atlas

  • *****
  • Posts: 2,505
  • Joined: 05 Jul 2011
  • Loc: Clarkson, N.Y.

Posted 12 April 2025 - 03:35 PM

Found it. Click HERE

 

Cheers

Don


  • ericb760 likes this

#4 ericb760

ericb760

    Apollo

  • *****
  • Posts: 1,086
  • Joined: 17 Apr 2009
  • Loc: Palm Springs, CA

Posted 12 April 2025 - 04:08 PM

My newly acquired HD-102 came with a classic 6x30 finderscope that upon tear down for cleaning I discovered that the crosshairs were broken. I can see where there were apparently glued to the lens housing. I am considering cannibalizing some electrical wire for a single strand, but I'm sure that one of you has run into this problem before. What was your solution?



#5 Overtime

Overtime

    Apollo

  • *****
  • Posts: 1,276
  • Joined: 21 Apr 2024
  • Loc: West of Philadelphia PA U.S.A.

Posted 12 April 2025 - 04:18 PM

Could you use a marking pen ( sharpe)? 



#6 ccwemyss

ccwemyss

    Gemini

  • *****
  • Posts: 3,377
  • Joined: 11 Aug 2016
  • Loc: Massachusetts

Posted 12 April 2025 - 04:31 PM

Long recent discussion here:

 

https://www.cloudyni...r#entry13984183

 

Chip W.


  • ericb760 likes this

#7 rexowner

rexowner

    Surveyor 1

  • *****
  • Posts: 1,632
  • Joined: 13 Aug 2017
  • Loc: SF Bay Area, CA & Twin Cities, MN

Posted 12 April 2025 - 04:53 PM

You might consider splurging on some tungsten crosshair wire, similar to this:

https://www.ebay.com...6d48747c6d56d2c

 

2 feet seems like several lifetime supplies, but there's another CN member whose made his

own crosshair EPs.  He might be able to make use of the extra 20" or so, and he could

comment with more first hand experience.

 

This stuff is 0.0005" but it looks like fatter crosshair wire is available up to at least 0.0025"

 

18AWG fixture wire, which you might find at a big box or electrical supply house has

a diameter of 0.084".  If you rip apart some Cat 5, each 24AWG wire has a

diameter of .0201".  Obviously, these, among the smallest electrical wires,

are way thicker, and you'd have to paint them black.

 

Someone over at Stargazers lounge suggested piano wire, which you might

be able to get locally.  My guess is that it's better to work with than copper 

wire since it has to be physically strong to take the pounding.

 

BTW, there seem to be 5 threads open with the same question, although maybe

the website is having problems today, as many threads appear to be repeated

in the "recent topics" on the right hand of the page.

 

Good luck with your project


Edited by rexowner, 12 April 2025 - 05:02 PM.

  • ericb760 likes this

#8 rachnoman

rachnoman

    Viking 1

  • *****
  • Posts: 555
  • Joined: 29 May 2009

Posted 12 April 2025 - 05:27 PM

Have used a .008 string from my electric guitar with great success. Brand is Ernie Ball super slinky (high "E" string). You might find the high "E" string individually at Guitar Center since the "E" string is the first one to break when using the whammy bar.

You also want the cross hairs thick enough to see at night.

 

Rock on.


Edited by rachnoman, 12 April 2025 - 08:38 PM.

  • ericb760 likes this


CNers have asked about a donation box for Cloudy Nights over the years, so here you go. Donation is not required by any means, so please enjoy your stay.


Recent Topics






Cloudy Nights LLC
Cloudy Nights Sponsor: Astronomics