PDA

View Full Version here: : Vixen control knobs


The Mekon
06-12-2017, 07:05 PM
Does anyone know if these knobs - common to Vixen mounts and focusers are available?
I have an old Custom 60M which must have spent too long in a sunny spot. The focuser knobs and the azimuth knob have all cracked.
If I cannot buy new ones, I may have to machine up some aluminium, but I would like to keep original.
Thanks

LewisM
07-12-2017, 12:03 PM
Steve Massey at MyAstroShop.com.au will get them for you - I have ordered gullets of parts for Vixen through him

The Mekon
07-12-2017, 05:39 PM
Thanks Lewis, I have found another solution.

The knob in question was the azimuth locking control, which requires some torque to lock the azimuth bearing so the slow motion can be used.
The focuser knobs do not require the same torque.

After casting around my workshop, I came across a plastic tap nut. The chrome rod fits perfectly in the tap nut, finished off by gluing on a focus wheel from an old pair of binoculars. I can apply a lot of torque to this rig.

(also good to know Steve does Vixen stuff - I still have SPDX mount that I use every now and then)