Laser Collimator

[poider]

So now that I have a laser colimator, and have put it in a v block to test the calibration of the laser itself and found that it is a little bit out.....
1, What tolerance are we allowing?
2, how do I get the laser straight?
Peter

[BeanerSA]

Which laser collimator do you have?

[poider]

It is a cheapie
http://i63.tinypic.com/14mfbye.jpg
Peter

[BeanerSA]

This retailer sells a rebadged model, and they have instructions on their website

http://www.myastroshop.com.au/guides/laser-collimation.asp

[poider]

thank you paul I will check it out

[poider]

I have shone my laser onto a wall 10 meters away and the circle I get from turning the Collimator is 250mm in diameter
Is this too large to collimate my scope?
I cannot see any way to adjust the laser
Peter

[iborg]

Hi Peter

I suspect that you want a dot at ~10 feet (~3m), so I think you need better than your current circle.

See http://www.stark-labs.com/craig/llcc/llcc.html


I think your unit looks like a Seben one, with a 2" adapter. Look at-
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Seben-Laser-Collimator-telescopes-31-7mm/dp/B006FGYWM0/ref=sr_1_11?m=AC0Z9SY209HFV&s=merchant-items&ie=UTF8&qid=1479982600&sr=1-11#Ask

The second review is titled Can the Laser be Aligned? They do misalign or can be slightly misaligned from new! (https://www.amazon.co.uk/forum/-/Tx1IOZAN19PHTQ0/ref=ask_dp_dpmw_al_hza?asin=B006FGY WM0)

And part of it is " The three adjusting screws are sealed and need exposing. As supplied, one of them is under the laser warning label."
By Wheelwrite on 03 April 2015


If you can feel one under the label, that might help locate the others. They may have sealant over them.

Good luck.

Philip

[poider]

Thank you phillip, that was very useful, I thought the unit may have adjustment screws under the silicon but was a little scared to try and get to them now I will give it a go.
Peter

[astro_nutt]

Hi Peter. I adjust my laser collimator by shining the beam onto a mirror on the wall about 3 metres away and mark the beam pattern on a fixed sheet of A4 paper next to the laser. I outline the beam pattern with a pencil then rotate to laser in the V block 180 degrees and then outline the beam pattern again. Adjust the beam until sits in between the two outlines. It takes some practice but it's worth the effort.
Cheers!

[poider]

I have found the adjusting screws and have gotten it down to about 100 mm tomorrow after a good night sleep I will try to get it closer, As a v block I am using my Granddaughter's blocks to keep it all level
Thank you all
Peter