Removing 3" visual back from Meade SCT

[ChrisM]

I can't budge the 3" visual back from my Meade SCT.

I figure that it should just screw off in the usual ACW direction, but I can't budge it at all by using my hands - even with a 'grippy' piece of rubber.

Surely I don't have to resort to stilsens?

Any suggestions welcome!

Thanks, Chris

[LewisM]

Rosin on the hands, have at it :)

Seriously - I had a VERY old scope once where I could not get the ocular off no matter what I tried. Went to a sports store, got some rosin, dusted on my hands, and tried again. Took some grunting, but I got it off!

[BlackWidow]

It should just unscrew as you say. I had the something a day ago with 2 thread extenders. I had to apply a small amount of heat with a butane flame and the use a rubber grip glamp to turn it. It worked and then I used dry lube to stop it from binding again. The rubber glamp is a small version of an oil filter remover used on pipes. Get them from Bunnings. Gentle gentle as not to damage anything.



Mardy

[ChrisM]

Thanks Lewis - That's a good idea and I think I have some resin here somewhere.

Chris

[ChrisM]

Thanks Mardy, that's also a good idea. I could use a hair dryer to warm up the piece and then try the type of clamp that you suggested.

Cheers, Chris

[LewisM]

ROSIN, not resin. You don't want to glue your hands to it ;) Rosin is a white powder, that increases grip for weightlifters etc. Creates a slight adhesive when mixed with sweat etc.

But ya knew that :)

[ChrisM]

Thanks Lewis, and please excuse my spelling! What I have is the rosin for a violin bow; it makes the horse hair grip the strings as it's bowed across them. I could give that a go in conjunction with a bit of gentle heat from a hair dryer.
Chris

[Merlin66]

Chris,
I use a heavy duty BOA rubber wrench for all these "difficult" customers....getting an etalon off a PST can be VERY difficult at times.
BTW Any fine astro threads - to stop them binding just give them a light wipe with shoe polish (your choice of colour!) - works everytime.
http://www.justtools.com.au/prod4247.htm
(cheaper on ebay)

[toc]

Perhaps you could use one of those tools they use to remove oil filters?

[ChrisM]

Ken, that tool looks made for the job. And not very expensive either. Thanks for the suggestion.

Chris

[ChrisM]

Thanks Tim. You can take the prize for offering the winning suggestion!

I wrapped a strip of anti-slide rubber mat around the adapter, and it took only a very light force on the oil filter spanner to loosen the adapter. Job done!

The new adapter and focuser were then on in no time.

Cheers, Chris

[toc]

Awesome :) What's my prize? :lol:

[ChrisM]

Just the satisfaction of knowing that you helped a fellow amateur.

Thanks again.

Chris

[matthewota]

I have never figured out why the back of the older Meade LX series SCTs have that large screw on visual back.

[multiweb]

Tape the thread on the ring so you don't damage it then get a car oil filter wrench (http://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://www.classic-car-magazine.co.uk/articles/images/oil_change/oil_filter_wrench.jpg&imgrefurl=http://able2know.org/topic/139110-1&h=480&w=640&sz=21&tbnid=-0wwpOnS96bUnM:&tbnh=97&tbnw=129&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dcar%2Boil%2Bfilter%2Bs panner%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=car+oil+filter+spanner&usg=__rhLo-We8RPs-EU9ewRHNi7vvgzY=&docid=tknpLazl89MBUM&sa=X&ei=cI0pUbaYOYXLmgXL2ICYBg&ved=0CFEQ9QEwAQ&dur=1992) and yank it out. Bit of WD40 is it's really stuck prior. Then oil it a little when you put it back. Just a wipe with an oily kleenex is enough.
PS: Oops. Already said below. Should read before posting. :P