Spacers wont seperate.

[xelasnave]

Before I get too ruff I thought I would ask.
The zwo has two spacers in front of the filter wheel, 21mm and 16.5 mm and I would like to seperate them, which I presume is possible, however they seem determined not to seperate when I apply all my force.
Does anyone have an approach to this sort of problem.
I expect wd40 is a no no and all I can think is maybe heating them...I dont like the idea of using multi grips or the like.
I am not sure of what way to proceed.
I am trying to put in the coma corrector and it seems it needs a 28 mm spacer but if I can seperate the spacers it at least may be a start...even though I still have different size threads I am hoping there may be something laying around that I can at least put in the comma corrector.
Or should I just try and buy a spacer of approx 28 mm
Alex

[DJ N]

Hi Alex

Try wide rubber bands to give you grip.... hopefully should loosen the thread enough.....


Cheers

Daniel

[billdan]

Hi Alex you can get these from Bunnings for $7 ea, you may need two though.

[xelasnave]

Thanks Daniel you are a champion that worked.

Alex

[xelasnave]

Thanks I got it sortted but I will get a pair of those as I run into this sort of problem with various things.

Chip chip and the mountain becomes a hill☺

Alex

[Merlin66]

The solution I used successfully for the past forty years is a light smear of boot polish on all threaded joints.
Forget the grease, Vaseline, WD 40 etc etc
Works for me and many others.........

[glend]

Anti-seize paste or stick works well, don't need much, can get it in most auto stores.
However, I find that duct tape, or even masking tape, works well on frozen spacers, wrap one way around one, the other way around the other, leave an inch of sticky surface to hold onto, simply twist them apart.

[bojan]

I have similar problem.. I even bought rubber strap wrench (https://www.ebay.com/p/Rubber-Strap-Wrench-Set-2pcs-Soft-Grip-Great-for-Jar-Openers-With-Weak/603139643) (which was useful on other things but not here)... Still waiting for right inspiration :-)


OOPS... Too late, I was slow...

[xelasnave]

Thanks Ken thanks Glen.
I really appreciate these tips.
So I put in the coma corrector it was a little close as I had nothing that I could get the exact distance.
Got everything working and about to take some test shots...the lappy screen then went white...oh no what now☺
Clouds thats what☺
Anyways I achieved something.
But the stars did not look too bad during focusing.
Hopefully a gap may appear for a couple of test shots...
The $100 skywatcher focuser is connected but I was focusing manually...but now that I think about it I dont recall any focuser controls in sharpcap...that the next thing...so a little research while the sky clears...or is ficus automatic when you use the focuser tools???
Thats the problem with the advancing years I am sure I read about ut all when I purchased the controller box...

Anyways I had better eat something I have been so busy I forgot to have lunch and bteakfast or did I have something and forgot☺
Thanks for all the help and I hope onlookwrs have benefited as much as I have with all the great tips.
Alex

[xelasnave]

Thanks Bojan for offering your input.
Alex

[OzEclipse]

Alex,

I diagnose and repair scientific instruments for a living. I am familiar with the
type of problem you are describing.

Many good suggestions already provided though many of them regarding anti-seize products are preventative and won't help you on this occasion.

1. Squeezing or gripping hard can distort those thin rings and lock the threads. Sometimes a gentle rather than rough approach works.

2. As already suggested, place some rubber bands around the circumferences of the two pieces so you can get some grip then unscrew them but without squeezing hard. Multiple thin ones work as well as wide ones if you don't have wides. Grip the bands with as many fingers around the diameter as you can manage. Pressure at two points distorts the ring the most.

A bit of heat applied to the outer (female ) thread can also help release a lock thread. With thin rings, this can be difficult to manage.

Camera repairers have special filter wrenches for removing seized filters from camera lenses.

If you still can't do it, don't get rough, you'll probably damage it. You're welcome to post it to me and I'll get it apart for you. The you can use some of the suggested anti-seize suggestions to prevent re-occurrence.

Cheers

Joe

[xelasnave]

Thank you Joe for your most kind offer but the rubber bands did the job.
Alex

[peter_4059]

I use a couple of rings of Bluetack. One on a benchtop, embed one side in that and grip the top with a second Bluetack ring and twist.

[multiweb]

Changes in temperature will do that. Try to warm them up or put them in the fridge, one or the other and they should be easier to come undone.

[xelasnave]

Thanks Marc.
You and others missed my post that the rubber bands worked.

I separated the spacers and have placed the coma corrector in the optical path.
Not exactly where it should be unfortunately but at least it is in the mix.
Intial testing indicates the stars are round in the corners but the cloud prevented a proper test.
According to all I have read I need another spacer of about 7 mm.
Alex