Couple of questions on screws...

[Gurutronic]

I have a couple of issues with accessory screws for Celestron OTA's I am hoping someone can assist with:

I lost one of the black screws that attach the RDF to a Nexstar 6se OTA. Does anyone happen to know where I can get a replacement?

Also, I purchased a Stellarvue SCT shoe to mount a SV60 RACI finder to an Edge HD800, but the built in accessory screws on the OTA are too short to attach the shoe. Does anyone know where I can get some black screws that are the same thread as those supplied, but maybe 3-5mm longer?

I had a quick look in my local Bunnings but only found silver screws, nothing in black...

Thanks!

[OzEclipse]

I think the Celestrons are made in China, if so it will be a metric thread. Bunnings mostly sell imperial threads. Go to an engineering materials supplier and ask for a socket cap screw. It will probably be an M3 or possibly M4. They come in standard lengths but you can cut and file a longer one to any length you want. If you have a power drill, put the cap head in the drill and with the drill running, you can round the end on a grinding stone. Suppliers of these include companies like Blackwood's, Specialty Fasteners among many others.

Good luck

Joe

[OzEclipse]

I think the Celestrons are made in China, if so it will be a metric thread. Bunnings mostly sell imperial threads. Go to an engineering materials supplier and ask for a socket cap screw. It will probably be an M3 or possibly M4. They come in standard lengths but you can cut and file a longer one to any length you want. If you have a power drill, put the cap head in the drill and with the drill running, you can round the end on a grinding stone. Suppliers of these include companies like Blackwood's, Specialty Fasteners among many others.

Good luck

Joe

[frolinmod]

Here is where I buy screws:

http://www.fastenal.com (http://www.fastenal.com/web/products/fasteners/sockets/button-socket-cap-screws/_/Navigation?term=&termca=&termpx=&sortby=webrank&sortdir=descending&searchmode=productSearch&zipcode=&filterByStore=&r=~|categoryl1:%22600000%20Fastener s%22|~%20~|categoryl2:%22600039%20S ockets%22|~%20~|categoryl3:%2260004 3%20Button%20Socket%20Cap%20Screws% 22|~)

There must be a similar place locally.

[PRejto]

Since you are in Sydney you might not be too far from Brookvale (Northern Beaches). I use these guys all the time as they have a huge range of screws, etc. If you know the sizes you might just call. I often go in with somethng odd and they just figure it out. I've never failed to get something that works though it might not be an exact replacement.

http://mobile.yellow.com.au/nsw/brookvale/the-bomond-group-12497525-listing.html?ref=onlineRedirect

Peter

[Barrykgerdes]

While it is possible that the Chinese manufactured Celestrons now have Metric I think it is more likely to be the standard American small threads.

Barry

[rogerco]

I got some for my C8 from Boltmaster in Penrith, don't think they were black thought.

[leon]

Ernie if you found some in Bunnings that fit just shove then thread first into some cardboard and buy a can of black spray paint and go for it.

Leon

[naskies]

These guys (based in Brisbane) stock an amazing range of screws, but it can be tricky to find the exact thing you're after since everything comes in so many variations. Very reasonable prices too.

http://www.smallparts.com.au