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hookedonsaturn
05-07-2007, 09:53 PM
Well even though the newtonian isnt perfect in collimination i could wait no longer so went out for a trip through the stars. The sighting scope was out of kilter so i decided to adjust it while the scope was nearly vertical.Why didnt someone tell me this was a definate no no:sadeyes: . I loosend it a bit too much and away she went right into the eye:screwy: .Fortunately no damage to it or me.Definately made mental note to do things on a more horizontal level.
The second episode of the evening was while i had the mount released so i could pan across the sky without useing the controls.Suddenly I had the scope in my hands totaly detached from the mount:eyepop: .When i examined the allen head bolts i found that they were way too short.Only 3 threads went into the mount.What i have learnt is check and double check.
I knew that bigger was better but left one factor out of the equation and that was price.I now realize that $600 for a brand new 8 inch reflector is cheap.You pay cheap you get cheap.
Good lessons tonight but realy hard on the ego.

ballaratdragons
05-07-2007, 09:56 PM
We live and Learn. That's what makes it all fun, as long as we can laugh at ourselves. :lol:

iceman
06-07-2007, 05:23 AM
I don't quite understand what happened to the mount?

hookedonsaturn
06-07-2007, 07:35 AM
the flat piece between the OTA saddles and the actual mount.where the 2 allen head screws co through and into the actual mount. these were way to short so pulled out of the mount just a minor stripping of threads which i retapped and put in longer bolts

iceman
06-07-2007, 08:37 AM
That's no good - i've never had a problem like that with my dob base.

Was yours a skywatcher or GSO brand?

KG8
07-07-2007, 06:38 PM
Doesn't seem to matter how much you spend on a scope HOSaturn, you will always find something that is not right. Scopes, mounts, even eyepieces will dissapoint a lot of the time. You tend to tweak a lot, or work around things and accept them as they are. My C11 tube is worth thousands but that doesn't stop the mirror flopping side to side a tad when it wants to. A common problem.