mirror cell help

[sasup]

I was going to make an upgraded cell for my 12lb, as it is horrid but no time. I was hoping someone may know of a place to buy one here in aus. Thanks

[mental4astro]

Hi Stacey,

You can call Bintel and see.

Otherwise, have a look at this really simplified cell design. It is identical to the one in my 17.5" which was fashioned by the mob at Bintel before I got my hands on it. It has all the elements that make it work the way it should, but without the glamour. It doesn't get more basic and effective than this. The section on the mirror cell is about 3/4 down the site:

http://www.swashastro.co.uk/dobsonian.html

[Waxing_Gibbous]

Was poking around for the same thing - no luck. Really depressing as there seems no end of talented tinkerers here.
The best alternative that I can see, is a cell from Orion Optics UK. They work out to about $250 posted.
Peter

[sasup]

found a guy in the states, his company was dar-astro but he has stopped making them; however he has said he has some in his garage so there could be some light at the end here. Really nice guy named dave.
PS thank alax
http://www.oneilphoto.on.ca/oneilatm.htm

[mental4astro]

There is no lack of tinkerers. There is a lack of value for money in materials and labour!!! Everything is so expensive here in Oz. I'm just sick to death of the cost of making just about anything being more than importing the bloody thing.

Even the most basic of things, like aluminium plate, is stupidly expensive. We export the stuff and reimport it value added, and it is cheaper than just buying the material HERE!! GO BLOODY FIGURE!!!

Then to import specialty items, retailers can hold you to randsom.

Stacey, I can make something for you, but how deep are your pockets??? Even astro retailers no longer carry many of the items for ATMers. So Dave is really your only option.

Importing from overseas directly is so saddly the only way to go for so much. And then we continue to sell everything, including the kitchen sink, to overseas interests. DUMB!

My rant. Sorry.

[sasup]

All very true, Alex. It makes me sick the costs of some things but if you think its bad in the astro hobby try mountain bikes Its bordering on criminal. I second the rant. You know my pockets are deep but just not holding anything. hehehe

[astro_nutt]

Hi Stacy.
A friend of mine and I did the following work on his 12lb.
Remove the mirror and cell from the tube.
Remove the mirror and let it soak in warm soapy water prior to cleaning.
Replace the springs in the cell with stiffer ones which can be purchased from Bunnings. You will have to cut them shorter and place washers at the cut ends when you reinstall them.
Give the Bolts and threaded sections, (some kero on a cotton bud) of the cell a good clean then use "Drylube" (available from auto shops), on the bolt threads prior to assembly.
We have found that the stiffer springs help greatly and the locking screws (which are a pain!) only need to touch the cell.
The only other suggestion is to move the locking screws closer to the collimation screws to prevent the mirror cell from warping.
I hope this helps.
Cheers!

[sasup]

thanks for that. Thats interesting about moving the locking screws closer to the calumniation knobs to stop deflection.