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

[h0ughy]

due to unforeseen circumstances;):D:D:D:D:D i have mysteriously adopted a WO132 f7 triplet:). it looks like one of the original ones and came with a case but strangely it didnt have rings. so what would be my options for getting rings for this?

i did find something from overseas but it says 140mm dia (https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php?products_id=9772#c s)

[h0ughy]

Just a thought, can you successfully make out of hardwood timber ring blocks.? I already have the top and bottom losmandy bars. So if I made them thick and lined with felt and protected with paint?

[spaceout]

Hi there, nice score.

Wood and felt would work, myself I would swap the solid hardwood out in exchange for hardwood plywood like apple or Baltic birch, as a split in solid wood may cause the ring to fail.

Another option would be to have them 3D printed. It shouldn't be difficult to find a person to print for you, I happen to know there is an enthusiastic base of 3D printers on your continent.

What you'll need to provide them is a STL file. (Forgive me if you know this already)

If you are able to make one out of wood, it would be very similar to draw one out of plastic. There are a plethora of software out there with various reason for choosing them, for various reasons I won't go into here, I would just go with one that is basic, easy to use (TinkerCAD? haven't tried it)and can get you a STL. (Even if you have to use a converter to get from the native output file to STL) Most common printer beds are ~8"/200mm square which should be big enough to print rings for your scope, perhaps even in one piece. (Print in PETG(Polyethylene), PLA will deform in heat, Nylon is extremely difficult to get it dry enough to print properly to enjoy any benefit.)

Either way, go with whatever is easiest. If you don't have the 3D printer physically close to you, perhaps it makes more sense to use wood should you have to reiterate a dimension.

[CeratodusDuck]

The tube diameter of these should be 141mm, so 140mm rings will be fine considering you are merely crushing felt for about 2mm. A few options are out there (besides contacting WO for a set - the 132 is still in production):

Obvious choice:
https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p9772_TS-Optics-CNC-Aluminium-Tube-Rings-for-telescopes-with-140mm-diameter.html

Expensive choice:
https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p10634_PrimaLuceLab-140mm-PLUS-support-rings.html

Alternate choice:
https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p4532_TS-Optics-CNC-tube-ring-set---140-mm-diameter.html

I'd be taking a very close scrutiny of the objective if I were in your shoes - the corrosion on the thumb screws and the black filth on lots of places - degrading black foam by looks of it? - would lead me to believe it has had a life in the hands of someone who didn't take care too well.

[h0ughy]

Thanks for that. It wasn't looked after well and was from a deceased estate however I will give it a good clean

[h0ughy]

So would you use a laminate block?

Never seen a 3d printed part to take the weight before, the scope isn't light.

But thank you for the ideas

[h0ughy]

well someone on IIS has sold me on a set of non genuine rings that measures internally 142mm so i have taken them up on the offer. i did get a price for the genuine ones from williams optics - not cheap but i will get a set for the future.

[h0ughy]

so i managed to clean it up a bit, lots of scrubbing and using some magic Bintel lollie water ;) for the optics and some orange power cleaner for the tube and dew shield. its come up a treat:thumbsup: the amount of crud on the lens was incredible, the magic water from bintel is amazing, it is indeed divine intervention as they come up sparkly and new.

The scope has had a hard life, lots of salt air apparently, then years of being in a shed where it was not loved up the hunter valley and the drought dust was thick. So i vacuumed out the case where there was a heap of red dust and replaced the screw that held a finder bracket on the scope, it was pushing on the focuser and has marked it over the time the last owner used it, so i put on a new finder bracket. the focuser works very smoothly now, no impairments.

The next thing i need is some batteries for the finderscope reticle.

[CeratodusDuck]

Do send the scopes serial to WO and ask if it is one of the 132's that require either a replacement lens cell or complete objective replacement - some of the earlier generation 132's have pinching and other issues and give quite sub-par results. I believe they offered free replacement (postage extra)

[Imme]

You won’t be disappointed, they’re great scopes.....well I think mine is!

[h0ughy]

i suppose i can only ask:shrug:

[h0ughy]

partial of the reply message i got back


Dear David.
First generation FLT132 which was made 8-10 years ago had the aluminum lens cell. If you use the telescope in cold weather minus 10C aluminum will shrink and add some pressure on lens cell as a result the lens will get pinched and you have to loose collimation screws.
................................... ...........

Regards,
Tim

30F,No.29-5,Sec.2,Zhongzheng East Rd.,Danshui Town,Taipei,Taiwan
t: +886-2-2809-3188
e: wo@williamoptics.com
William Optics
www.williamoptics.com

and a second and third email




Dear David.
So how the customer was using the scope without rings and plate?
That means no one was using the scope for many years.
This is your risk purchasing used scope, if the telescope is in perfect condition without defects that's ok, but if it was dropped, damaged, never used I would like to let you know since you are not the original owner and I am guessing that is first generation FLT132 which was made over 10 years ago, in case of any lens defects the lens can't be repaired because new lens design is different now.
Regards,
Tim
WO


Dear David.
From the focuser i can tell this is first generation FLT132, made around 10 years ago.
First we made in 2006.
If the place you live the temperature goes below 0, we strongly recommend to use dewshield heater.
Also, you slightly can loose collimation screws, in case the aluminum shrink in cold weather, it wont add pressure on lens elements.
Regards,
Tim
WO

[h0ughy]

i received ta set of rings today, not quite perfect fit but very very close. it seems stable enough. enough for me to test with the system as is. but wont be for a few days

[h0ughy]

and fitted a new screw to mount the finderscope - the one that was on there left a mark on the focuser drawtube. oh and as usual the weather has changed.....

and had to use some vice grips to get the rings closed enough to do up the bolt

[Wilso]

Sounds like they’re a bit tight! Take care you don’t damage the ota.
If you find it’s a keeper K-astec make superb tube rings to your requirements as do Peter Tan. Enjoy !

[h0ughy]

I can get genuine WO ones which should be the best design :thumbsup:

[fsphotography]

David, what is required is thinner felt,then they will fit very well.
Frank.

[h0ughy]

OK will have a look at that tomorrow

[h0ughy]

well i thought long and hard and spotlight didn't have felt thin and strong enough so i did was any self respecting astronomer would do, i velcroed it;)

i used the soft smooth part of the combination and it made a huge difference. its a very snug fit but it was easier to do up - still used the pliers to finger tighten up the screw.

then i had a thought - i don't want to take the RASA out of the dome so what could I do? I frankenseined it, took apart a set of rings i had to get the bases and did the unthinkable.........

now to mount it.... though no rush as with anything astro the terrifying bush fires and cloud have stopped anything for tonight.

[h0ughy]

Getting it ready, the RASA 8 has a new guidescope , though a little tight in places

[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.

[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

[h0ughy]

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:thumbsup:

[h0ughy]

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:rofl:

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

[h0ughy]

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

[h0ughy]

TheY are here :D

[h0ughy]

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]

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