DOB BASE AGAIN !!! :help3:

[frogman]

Yes yes i know ..... but im too lazzzzzy to search for it .,....... i have been told i need to "resurface" my bod base with another type of laminate????? and get some more teflon to make hr slide a little better (ice says "moving her is like doing weights!")

Where can i get the teflon? not the rubbish from mitre 10/bunnings.
What is the name of the laminate im suposed to use on the base ? ? ?

Need an answer quick too please !

Anthony :help3:

[gbeal]

Frog,
teflon should be "Virgin" teflon, whatever that is. I can't remember what virgins look like, too old.
The laminate is Ebony Star. Get to a kitchen laminate shop, and ask nicely, I am sure you will find some.
Gary

[frogman]

Ebony star !!! thank you and its easy to apply to the base do i need any special tools ??? ill google it but thought id ask'
Tah

[gbeal]

For attaching the Ebony laminate to the base, use a simple contact adhesive, stick and forget it.
Teflon I screw, with a decent countersink.
Not sure where to suggest you source Teflon in the OZ, but here I go to a local plastics supplier. Scrap bin is a good place to start with them.

[frogman]

Dont supose you'd like to post some over to me ???? :)
I cant source it here !!! ill keep trying tho.

Anthony

[iceman]

Hey Froggy..

I found another 12" dob as bad as yours! Darren (wombat_in_space)'s 12" dob is about as bad (if not worse) than yours! I needed 2 people to push the scope to move it 1 degree ;)

Hope you get it sorted!

Also don't forget to simply try loosening the centre bolt, put some milk bottle washers on the middle hub, and using armorall to give it some smooth motion.

[janoskiss]

Wasn't it the armorall going sticky that was the main problem with Darren's scope?

Furniture (super) sliders on a vinyl LP record worked really well for me on small home made Dob mount. But of course you'd need something bigger than the standard LP for a 12" Dob.

[RAJAH235]

Anthony, If you replace the teflon pads, make sure they're at least the same size or 'just a little' larger. & as much as 'I like Mike', please run the sufaces dry. Do not use 'lubricants'. They will attract dirt/dust etc.......
As stated by Mike, have you adjusted/loosened, the centre bolt & put spacers between top & bottom boards? :D L.

[Starkler]

You will find ebony star laminate hard to come by. Im told that any laminate with a fine pimpled surface is as good.

I had another tinker with my dob motions on the weekend and am now happy that mine moves pretty well. It was just a matter of cleaning the teflon "magic sliders" that I have on and playing with the number of milk bottle washers around the centre bolt. I dont have any special laminate on mine.

[frogman]

ok...... i have milkbottle jobbies around the center bolt to take up the slack that the 3 "super sliders" make that i have around the outside of my base.

Without the proper teflon i was looking for the best way to get smoothness in my base
i thank you all for the response and have taken the advice on buying the "ebony star" laminate to resurface te base......

Once again i thank all the people that have replied to this post.... YET

I would like to hear from people re: "virgin" teflon source here in Aus land. ?! ?

Anthony

[janoskiss]

BATSC used to sell them I think. They are now becoming Bintel-Melbourne.

[RAJAH235]

Anthony, will check with fellow member re; 'virgin teflon' in Oz. The company he works for, uses a stack of it. Will keep you posted. (always wanted to say that)!.. :D L.

[frogman]

tah duuuuuudy !!!

[gbeal]

Frog.
let me know if you cannot find the Teflon in Oz, seems crazy that you can't, but if not then I will source some and send it across.
The ebony star ditto, but the postage on a couple of pieces about the size I envisage you want may scare you. Keep talking to those kitchen bench top people.

[robinsm]

try your local branch of CADILLAC plastics, they are in all OZ states
Cheers
Maynard

[frogman]

O....K i have found a mob in 7Hills Skidiney called E-Plas. On ringing them they have virgin feflon (virgin P.T.F.E ) AND UHMWPE.... he says is works just like teflon and is 1/4 the price.
Add GST to both
3 mm 300X300 sheet of PTFE $70 (virgin teflon)
3 mm 300X300 sheet of UHWMPE $20 (plasticky looking chopping board)

Will cost around $30 postage to get to me so i might have to do a trip the sydney one day :(
http://www.eplas.com.au/60.html
Hope it helps people..
Anthony

[Orion]

Hi Anthony, I have a roll of "Virgin" Teflon (etched on one side) that I use when building telescopes PM me with your address and I'll send you some or if you can wait I'll bring enough to do your scope next time I see you at Kulnura.

OK.... for anyone that needs to get some Stardust Formica this is where I got it .... Nova & Co Pty Ltd, 93 Munibung Rd, Cardiff, NSW 2285 Ph No..(02) 4956 6626.

And for Etched Teflon and Kydex...Cadillac Plastics Australia, 7 Aminya Place, Cardiff, NSW 2285 Ph No...(02) 4954 5455.

It was around three years ago since I last bought something from them don't know if they're still there? All it takes is a phone call I suppose.

[frogman]

Yeah Yeah ... thanks Orion. im not sure how much i need, but would like to pull it apart and redo the base. I will call Nova and get some of the "stardust" and then look at how much teflon i need to get my little girl runnin smooth like.....
Tah again

Are you or anyone else coming up this saturday or not ???? beautiful night tonight.


Anthony

[Orion]

No problem Anthony,
The size of the Teflon pads are determined by the weight of the telescope, that is everything above the groundboard.

By the way Stardust Formica is not cheap and they might not cut it to size. Be prepared!

I'll like to get there this Saturday but I might have to work that day.