Revamp of club 12" Dob scope commences.
Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 7:33 pm
Hi,
Frank and I started the long awaited revamp of the clubs 12" scope last night, we cleaned both mirrors as best we could. We centered dotted both mirrors to aid collimation.
We put a hatch in by the primary mirror so that we can get access to the mirror, this hatch also acts as a lid/cover for the primary mirror.
Here is a list of what I think should be done to the scope to get it fully operational and in this order also (all the easy stuff first)...
1, Put in another hatch in by the secondary so we can properly collimate it using the laser as its very difficult to see if the laser is hitting the center dot on the secondary mirror at the moment, we have the hinge and lock for it.
2, We need to get a sheet of marine ply and remake the rockerbox/ground base of the scope.
3, We need to get some telfon and new Formica (I have some spare) for the the azimuth axis bearing and get a cheap bolt and nut to hold it all together.
4, We really need to get some wood preservative and varnish on all the woodwork.
5, I think it would be cheap and easy enough to make up a new primary mirror cell using square metal tubing and a sling, like an obsession cell, the one that is there at the moment is a disaster and is fit for the bin as it is unstable.
6, We need to get a new 2" focuser, as a 1.25" focuser is not adequate.
7, The primary and especially the secondary mirrors are in need of re-coatings.
Well, what do you think ??
Frank and I started the long awaited revamp of the clubs 12" scope last night, we cleaned both mirrors as best we could. We centered dotted both mirrors to aid collimation.
We put a hatch in by the primary mirror so that we can get access to the mirror, this hatch also acts as a lid/cover for the primary mirror.
Here is a list of what I think should be done to the scope to get it fully operational and in this order also (all the easy stuff first)...
1, Put in another hatch in by the secondary so we can properly collimate it using the laser as its very difficult to see if the laser is hitting the center dot on the secondary mirror at the moment, we have the hinge and lock for it.
2, We need to get a sheet of marine ply and remake the rockerbox/ground base of the scope.
3, We need to get some telfon and new Formica (I have some spare) for the the azimuth axis bearing and get a cheap bolt and nut to hold it all together.
4, We really need to get some wood preservative and varnish on all the woodwork.
5, I think it would be cheap and easy enough to make up a new primary mirror cell using square metal tubing and a sling, like an obsession cell, the one that is there at the moment is a disaster and is fit for the bin as it is unstable.
6, We need to get a new 2" focuser, as a 1.25" focuser is not adequate.
7, The primary and especially the secondary mirrors are in need of re-coatings.
Well, what do you think ??