Tak focuser - pinion bent

[Lognic04 (Logan)]

Hi all,
I have noticed the pinion on my tak MT-160 focuser is bent. (one area is super hard to push, other area practically falls) Hopefully i could just put it in a vice or something, because its not that big of a deal, just makes focusing a bit tricky. Any thoughts on how to fix?
Thanks!

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

A good machinist with 2 small V blocks and a dial gauge will get it perfect again , I would not try because you will probably make it worse .
Brian.

[FlashDrive (Poppy)]

Originally Posted by brian nordstrom

A good machinist with 2 small V blocks and a dial gauge will get it perfect again , I would not try because you will probably make it worse .
Brian.

+1 .... I had a machinist do exactly that .... it turned out perfect again.

I rolled it along a smooth table and absolutely no ' wobble ' when he gave it back to me .

It cost me a can of coke to get it done ....

Col.

[LewisM]

I have restraightened my own several times - very easy to do. Just do it in tiny increments, rotating the pinion as you do so to even it and not stress it.

The trick is identifying the crux of the bend and to apply the pressure precisely at the crux.

[tempestwizz (Brian)]

Access to a lathe helps too Ive found!

[Steffen]

How on earth does one bend a focuser pinion? Apart from using certain Tele Vue eyepieces, that is...

[Kunama]

Originally Posted by Steffen

How on earth does one bend a focuser pinion? Apart from using certain Tele Vue eyepieces, that is...

Bump the focuser knob against something, that would be my guess. I have also seen many times people using excessive pressure on the pinion to act as a brake instead of adjusting the draw tube glide pressure...

The Tak pinion can bend (much like any pinion) at the thinnest point where it fits onto the bearing surface. Best way to straighten is to clamp it in a lathe and turn the chuck by hand using the blunt end of the tool to press it straight after locating which side the bend is on.

Or send Claude some $$$ for a new one.

[LewisM]

If you bought the Tak from who Logan bought it from, you are destined to have a dearth of issues, sadly, all undisclosed prior to sale as the "unit is in supreme condition".

[sharpiel]

Originally Posted by LewisM

If you bought the Tak from who Logan bought it from, you are destined to have a dearth of issues, sadly, all undisclosed prior to sale as the "unit is in supreme condition".

From Melbourne?

[LewisM]

Good guess Les

[sharpiel]

I was once bitten now twice shy....

[tim.anderson (Tim Anderson)]

Originally Posted by LewisM

If you bought the Tak from who Logan bought it from, you are destined to have a dearth of issues, sadly, all undisclosed prior to sale as the "unit is in supreme condition".

I don't think the word "dearth" means what you think it means.

[Kunama]

He left out the 'NOT' i.e.. you are destined to NOT have a dearth....

[sharpiel]

Originally Posted by tim.anderson

I don't think the word "dearth" means what you think it means.

No doubt an auto correct issue from Lewis' device. He meant to say "cornucopia"...

[LewisM]

Gawd, I meant WEALTH, not dearth.