Screw caps for Skywatcher Saddle Dovetail

[Oddity (Andrew)]

Howdy!

I picked up a 2nd hand Az-eq5 and noticed there is nothing to protect the saddle screws from digging in and scratching the dovetail plate. Does anyone have a solution for this, or is this expected?

[Merlin66 (Ken)]

Sounds pretty standard.....

[bojan]

Originally Posted by Oddity

Howdy!

I picked up a 2nd hand Az-eq5 and noticed there is nothing to protect the saddle screws from digging in and scratching the dovetail plate. Does anyone have a solution for this, or is this expected?

Yep, that's how it is..
If you want to prevent scratching, place suitable aluminium extruded flat bar (Bunnings, Aluminium Trade Centre) in the slot.
https://www.aluminiumtc.com.au/catalogue/flat-bar/

BTW, I replaced all metal screws used to hold eyepieces in place with nylon ones...

[xelasnave]

Replace the plate with a rubber one...
Alex

[Oddity (Andrew)]

Thanks folks, wasn't entirely sure if it was expected. I'm paranoid that I might be breaking things/doing things wrong with other components of the mount. I'll leave it be then.

[xelasnave]

Originally Posted by Oddity

Thanks folks, wasn't entirely sure if it was expected. I'm paranoid that I might be breaking things/doing things wrong with other components of the mount. I'll leave it be then.

I hope you did not take my comment as a snide remarkk...I was joking ..in fact most all the time I am joking but I do realise my sence of humour is a little strange for some.

You wont break anything I am pretty sure of that.

Good luck with your astro journey.

alex

[jimmyh1555 (James)]

If the screws dig in to the dovetail plate, then that's great! Your scope will be gripped better. A bit of grawnching on the ends of the screws will not do them any harm

[raymo]

Put fibre washers under the screw heads.
raymo

[RobF (Rob)]

Or you could replace the saddle with something like this.
Not cheap, but ADM is pretty good gear.

http://www.admaccessories.com/produc...azeq-g-mounts/

[AstroApprentice (Jason)]

I agree with Rob, an ADM saddle is a huge improvement to such mounts. Makes loading an OTA easier and safer as you can slide it in the groove. Plus no more mangling dovetail bars. The Vixen-only option is cheaper

Originally Posted by RobF

Or you could replace the saddle with something like this.
Not cheap, but ADM is pretty good gear.

http://www.admaccessories.com/produc...azeq-g-mounts/

[Oddity (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by xelasnave

I hope you did not take my comment as a snide remarkk...I was joking ..in fact most all the time I am joking but I do realise my sence of humour is a little strange for some.

You wont break anything I am pretty sure of that.

Good luck with your astro journey.

alex

I did pick up on that it was just a little late at night at the time so had little chance to respond in kind. That said it’s entertaining to think you were worried I might take the suggestion seriously

I appreciate the levity you add to threads here

[Oddity (Andrew)]

Thanks for suggestions all. Those ADMs do look rather nice! However given I’ve already unloaded the budget on just about everything else (especially eyepiece fever!) I might save it and deal with the “well-loved” look on the dovetail.

Cheers all, and clear skies to you