How to keep your fingers from going raw

[that_guy]

Hi guys, I've noticed that every single time I set up my telescope, my fingers are always raw and sore from all the tightening of bolts and screws on the mount/telescope. Do you guys use gloves or something cos at this rate, I'll have stripped my finger prints off by the end of the year! :eyepop:

[PCH]

Your fingers need to get used to clamping round a bigger knob mate. I suggest you take a crafty look at Bob's before eyeing up any others ;)

[jenchris]

I think you need to work on toughening up.
Try laying some bricks or something.

[that_guy]

touche ;)

[LewisM]

Better check the thread title lol. Pesky finders lol

[Orionskies]

Save your skin and give anti-slip matting a try , the stuff you put in kitchen cupboards that you can get from bunnings . Just cut a few 10 * 10 CM squares this should do the trick.

Cheers Julian. :thumbsup:

[that_guy]

got it! ;)

[Hoges]

I occasionally have small bolts that I find hard to do up as tight as I'd like - I swap them out for allen key head bolts and use the allen key - although I'm careful not to over tighten them. When I'm working I use some MaxiFlex gloves that I get at my local safey shop - these are thin and tight fitting enough to give some grip and protect dainty pinkys!

[Atmos]

https://www.bunnings.com.au/makita-18v-lithium-ion-cordless-driver-drill_p6240253

Replace everything with bolts and go for your life ;)

[Steffen]

After years of white-knuckle tightening of the screws and bolts on my mount I found that things actually work better without it. Reasonable (and painless) force is all I apply now.

The clutches on my HEQ5 Pro in particular don't take kindly to over-tightening, it throws out the orthogonality of the mount. I now just tighten them so they can still slip when necessary. When something or someone bumps the scope it's easier and cheaper to realign than to replace bent hardware.

Also, I managed to break the tripod by over-tightening the spreader bold. One of the legs just broke past its stop. While that seemed devastating at first it provided the perfect excuse to replace the junk-pod with the Berlebach I'm now using :)

[LewisM]

Buy a refractor :)

Oh you have.

Hmmm.

Buy Vixen, Takahashi or AP mounts.

Problem solved :)

[astro_nutt]

Try cleaning the threads with a cotton bud dipped alcohol and clean the bolts/screws with some kero and an old toothbrush. Dry thoroughly and smear a little Goss dry lube, (available from auto stores), on the bolts/screws. Sometimes the original grease from the factory goes tacky. Cheers!