Takahashi focuser HELP!

[garymck]

Hi
due to an accident with a vacuum cleaner (long story) I have a bent pinion shaft in the focuser of my TSA120. Takahashi have said that I am incapable of removing and replacing the 2 screws that hold the shaft in place, and are insisting that the whole focuser be returned to Japan where their experts will remove the 2 screws, fit a new pinion shaft and reinsert the 2 screws. This is despite the case that I was able to take the pinion shaft out and photograph it. The expected cost is almost equivalent to the purchase price of a new focuser. I actually reckon removing the whole focuser would be much more hassle than the 2 screws :-)

By any chance, does anyone have a spare pinion shaft they would let go?

Whilst I would like to keep the scope original, I'm not going to be held to ransom for a $2 part. At worst I'll fit a Feathertouch unit to the otherwise undamaged focuser.

cheers
Gary

[Kunama]

Gary,
The part is actually not a $2 part, it is a $90 part (included postage) and is available from Claude at AEC in South Australia.
as for fitting it, make sure it has some grease at the contact points before install.

[garymck]

Thanks Kunama,
I admit I may have exaggerated the $2 part - post was written at a time of being extremely *((& off ! To be told I can't remove 2 screws was ridiculous though and I didn't like Takahashi's attitude. Was seriously considering buying another refractor, but this episode has made me seriously review my options.

Putting the pinion shaft it in a lathe today to straighten it. If this does not work, and I can't buy a new one through Claude, I've already worked out how to repair it. Fiddly but doable. I'nm lucky enough to have some hobby machine tools....

cheers
Gary

[Kunama]

I bought one from Claude a few months ago, it was $90 posted to me, took a couple of days to get to me.

You should be able to straighten it in a lathe, only gets tricky if it bent on both side of the cog. In that case chuck it alternately each end till you get no runout. I use a hardwood block while spinning it slowly.

[garymck]

Luckily it is only bent on one side of the gear, so should be doable. If I can't get it straight I'll cut the gear off, bore/ream it and replace the bent shaft with a piece of drill rod. I can then drill/ream the 2 bits that hold the focuser knobs and loctite the new pinion assembly into them.

Gary

[garymck]

Focuser and MF3 are both fixed and as good as new. My scope is back to mint condition!!! :):):)

cheers
Gary

[LewisM]

Was going to say fixing a bent pinion even manually in a vice is simple, but in a lathe is pure child's play.