A Dog's Breakfast .... !!

[FlashDrive]

A work in progress .... !!

Watch this space .

Col...:)

[Outcast]

I'd be careful Col,

If your dog eats that for breakfast he'll be seeing stars.....:rofl:

[StuTodd]

Nice scope Col.
No "Dogs breakfast" at all, more of a Pot Noodle..needs a little help to be awesome.

[ausastronomer]

You can actually end up with an excellent scope using a Meade Lightbridge (made by GSO), or a GSO dob, or a Skywatcher dob (made by Synta) as the starting point.

The critical starting point is decent optics. Most are decent, many are very good, a few are excellent and there are a few lemons, probably in the order of 10%.

The critical things to focus on to lift the out of box performance to the next level are:-

Scope motion. Which you are already onto with new Teflon pads and laminate.

Proper cooling and air circulation. Its already got a fan blowing on the base of the primary, which is a good start. The early scopes made by GSO (which includes the Lightbridge) and by Synta didn't have any fans at all. You could also give consideration to installing a fan to blow across the face of the primary to remove the boundary layer. That isn't so easy to do on one of these scopes but I did it using an "air tube" around 50% of the inside of the tube and installing an air pump on the side of the base. I used a 12v live bait aerator pump. It worked really well.

Tube baffling. Flocking the inside of the metal tube with matte black felt and using a light shroud around the open part of the tube will help a lot with stray light, scattered light and contrast.

Focuser motion. Reworking the focuser and honing some of the internal components with proper lubrication and adjustment on re-assembly, will improve the focuser motion and control immensely. You won't end up with a Feathertouch, but you will end up with something a lot nicer than what comes out of the box.

The above all having been said, considering the price point they actually perform pretty well out of the box, but they can be improved upon a lot, with a little time effort and know how!

Cheers
John B

[FlashDrive]

Thanks Gents ....I have a ' picture ' in my mind how I want this to turn out.

John, you have ideas that have come to my mind also.

I'm taking my time on this project, not rushing it.

I have a new mirror coming and Base to be made also
.
Will strip and repaint the Mirror and Secondary Housing / re-flocking etc.

Also Bob's Knobs / and Shroud .

Col...

[FlashDrive]

Nothing to crow about ... just a small bit done.

Bob's Knobs fitted, with new upgraded heavy duty springs .

3 x ( 4m x50mm ) Secondary Collimation Screws .... longer than the original.

I changed my mind about the Epoxy for the new screws heads .. !!

In my tool box I found in my ' scratch ' Box 4 x small ' feet ' ....then an idea came ....new screws fitted perfectly in the holes ..... so I put a flat washer / spring loaded washer and nut on both sides of each new screw .....one x one and screwed into secondary holder .... bingo ... works as it should without the need of a screwdriver.....all I gotta do is hold the foot in between my fingers and turn to make ajustments.

New Mirror arrives later today I hope :question: ...not here yet.
Col....

[FlashDrive]

New mirror has arrived ... !!

A Big thank you to Alex .. !!

[FlashDrive]

All pulled apart ...!!

Ready to ...Powder Coat / Flocking ... !!

Do you need to ' strip ' the paint before Powder Coating ....or does the Powder Coat business do that ...???

Col...

[Sunfish]

Whenever I have powder coating done the parts are always sand blasted by the powder coated as they really need to be clean fresh metal . You may be able to specify the type of blasting and the medium used but it will always be blasted and treated prior to coating. Check powder maker specification for preparation and finish required for various levels of coatings.

[FlashDrive]

Thanks Ray ...:thanx:

[ausastronomer]

Getting there Col!! It will look like a telescope again pretty soon.

Cheers
John B

[GrahamL]

What colour you going with ?

[FlashDrive]

Was thinking ' Aston Martin ' Grey ;) ..... for a fast f/5 Scope :P

Not Black .... I'll never find it in the DARK ..!!

ANY SUGGESTIONS ... !!

[FlashDrive]

Finally went to see the Powder Coat people yesterday.....was told the metal is too thin for blasting... it would ' distort ' the tubes and cause them to go ' out of round '

So.... a rub back and choose a 2pack colour is where things are going to be.
Should look OK with a few coats .... !!

Just need to choose a colour ...??

Col

[croweater]

How about white Col? All the colours mixed together. ☺ Seriously though it looks good, easier to see in the dark and apparently better for dew and tube current control.
Cheers, Richard.

[FlashDrive]

Still thinking Grey to complement the Varnished Marine Ply Base...:question:

[FlashDrive]

Gun Metal Grey 2PK ... Top part done / Bottom section almost.

New Mirror to go in ....I was going to fit a ' Baader Steel Track 2 x Speed Focuser ' ( which I have here ) ... but IMHO it will be to heavy at the top end of the Scope.... nice bit of gear tho'.....I'll be putting it up for sale if anyone interested.

The ' standard ' Focuser is very smooth , so it goes back on ... !!

I'll put the bottom end together tomorrow.

Col....

[croweater]

Hi Col.That grey looks really nice with the white "trim". Nice job
Cheers, Richard.

[FlashDrive]

Thank You Richard :) ... it's coming together now ..!!

[Hijynx]

That’s a big step finished Col. how will you flock or paint the inside? Also, did you sand the old paint off? Can you share how you did that bit please? I am a few stages behind you.

I have spent all day restoring the Alt bearings on my 12”. My restoration scope was very neglected and they have significant surface corrosion. Cut and polish then polish some more, a deep score mark where the felt has fallen out of the brake but the previous user continued to use it. I won’t be investing time into getting that out. They are not perfect but aesthetically pleasing none the less.

[FlashDrive]

Almost Done .... waiting on New Base ... !!

Altitude Bearings need a good polish .. !! ( not shown )

In the Beginning there was .... http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showpost.php?p=1465560&postcount=1

Col.

[FlashDrive]

Should I paint the ' struts ' a different colour ... or ... leave it as it is.

Col.

[Outcast]

Man, that looks great Col...

If the struts are white (having trouble determining if they are white or brushed aluminium finish) I would leave them white as they tie together nicely with the white trim & the grey tube.

If they are brushed aluminium, maybe consider painting them white..

Cheers

[FlashDrive]

Actually they are ' silverish ' Grey ( more silver than grey tho' ) ... !! .... may leave it like it is.

Just wanted a comment that's all.

[Outcast]

Mate, I think it looks damn fine as is to be honest...

Can't wait to see the final product on it's new mount...

[FlashDrive]

I'll post a pic when I have it done.

[FlashDrive]

Ta Dar...!! It's finished ...!! :2thumbs:

What it used to be ... to what it is now ...!!

[Hijynx]

That looks fantastic. Well done.

[FlashDrive]

Thanks Benn .... hope your 12" is coming along to.

Col.

[Outcast]

Very Swish Col...:thumbsup:

[FlashDrive]

and now it's raining :(

[ab1963]

Impressive Col

[FlashDrive]

Thanks Lads for your encouraging comments.