tube rings for williams optical 132mm OTA And getting it operational

[CeratodusDuck (George)]

Not sure what you mean by not thin or strong enough felt? Spotlight offers 1mm thin felt (self adhesive or non), and the felt doesn't need to be strong, as it is compressed, not stretched. Also, Bunnings sell rolls of 0.2mm self-adhesive felt for around $7, as well as 3mm thick self-adhesive felt in large pads (for automotive use) for about the same price.

Not sure velcro is a good idea even if on the "soft" side as it will still scratch the tube and does not compress like felt (felt adheres by compression, whereas the velcro weave, being plastic, won't and you may get slippage). Using thin felt, you shouldn't need mole grips or cramps to close rings. You are really risking damaging the tube - I'd really suggest getting the WO rings or the TS ones.

Lastly, using an f/7 guidescope on an f/2.2 imaging scope is far from ideal. You want the guidescope to be close in FL to the imaging scope - as is, your guidescope is more than double the FL of the imaging scope.

[alan meehan (Alan)]

Hey Dave it looks like it's coming up very nice indeed ima really pleased ps the smoke is not going to clear in a hurry 56 fires burning up the coast

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by CeratodusDuck

Not sure what you mean by not thin or strong enough felt? Spotlight offers 1mm thin felt (self adhesive or non), and the felt doesn't need to be strong, as it is compressed, not stretched. Also, Bunnings sell rolls of 0.2mm self-adhesive felt for around $7, as well as 3mm thick self-adhesive felt in large pads (for automotive use) for about the same price.

Not sure velcro is a good idea even if on the "soft" side as it will still scratch the tube and does not compress like felt (felt adheres by compression, whereas the velcro weave, being plastic, won't and you may get slippage). Using thin felt, you shouldn't need mole grips or cramps to close rings. You are really risking damaging the tube - I'd really suggest getting the WO rings or the TS ones.

Lastly, using an f/7 guidescope on an f/2.2 imaging scope is far from ideal. You want the guidescope to be close in FL to the imaging scope - as is, your guidescope is more than double the FL of the imaging scope.

well the bunnings i went to only had the thick stick on felt and i didnt find anything usefull in spotlight so i went for the velcro, and dont think that is going anywhere. no will not be the guide scope proper i have a 50mm with a loadstar for that. as for the fit its very snug and no slippage at all. velcro wont damage the tube unless i put it on an orbital sander

as for the guide rings i intend to get the genuine WO ones

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by alan meehan

Hey Dave it looks like it's coming up very nice indeed ima really pleased ps the smoke is not going to clear in a hurry 56 fires burning up the coast

Tuesday going to be bad. so i did some testing today. a little bit of white light solar with the baader wedge and asi174mm and some lunar with the 174 and a wo0.8 reducer then tried the gstarex3 with the moon before the cloud rolled in. manually focusing i need the arms of an orangutan

yep its a good toy to play with Al, though the seeing today wasn't great

[h0ughy (David)]

So I ordered an asi eaf focus motor for the scope . Transformation to the dark side is almost complete

[h0ughy (David)]

TheY are here

[h0ughy (David)]

I am so impressed with how this asi unit fits and operates. It really allowed a complete idiot like me to be able to fit. Best thing since sliced bread. Went to jaycar and bought a 12v power pack for it and it runs like a dream, just faster than a snail on speed but steady and accurate. I will be getting another one for the lunt 60 as the Orion version I have on it is a bit ordinary. Smoke and clouds so no testing, but given the natural deterrent it must be a great astro product lol.

On another note I ordered genuine rings for this today.

[h0ughy (David)]

The genuine wo rings turned up today and we are enveloped in smoke