Collapsing a collapsible - is lubrication ok?

[guggle]

Hi,

I have an 8" Saxon collapsible and I'm finding that when I go to collapse it, it can get a bit stiff and hard to put away. Is it ok to lubricate the collapsible mechanisms, and if so, what is the best type of lubricant?

Cheers, Michael.

[GraemeT]

I've used some white teflon grease on the sliding bars (not very much) on my 8" dob. Makes it easier and allows a positive click at the full extension point. I rarely have to touch the collimation after setting up.

[mozzie]

hi michael
when collapsing the three bars have a large bolt at the base just give a little release maybe a 1/4 of a turn that will make it easier to lift and collapse your scope

[Astroman]

I wouldn't put any grease on anything that is open the the elements, it may attract dust or dirt and act as an abrasive and wear the parts down so they don't work as good as they used to. Maybe it just needs a good clean.

[overlord]

funniest thread ever.

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl ::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rof l::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::ro fl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::r ofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:: rofl::rofl::rofl: hope i don't get baned for this haha

[astronut]

Chucky, you and I have the same corrupt mind!!:lol::lol::lol:
Now to be serious, Michael, any grease may have a problem with dirt and grit, as already mentioned.
I would advise that you clean the poles with soapy hot water, dry and then apply (with a cloth) some furniture polish, like Mr Sheen.
This will help the strut poles move easily.:)

Cheers, John.

[mental4astro]

A clean of the poles and the runners they go through should do it. Metho on a tissue and a bit of elbow grease. It dries very quickly with no residue. This should reduce any resistance you're finding. DON'T use turps!

The only type of lubricant I've ever seen used, and have used myself, has been good quality car wax on the bearing surfaces (not the Teflon pads, but the surface they run over). You may want to apply this to the corresponding surfaces of your dob. The difference this makes is amazing. Just clean these surfaces first too before applying the wax.

I apply this car wax to the altitide and azimuth bearings of my 17.5" dob once a year. How it restores its original silky smooth movements is extraordinary!

[mental4astro]

WARNING: Never, ever spray an aerosole around optics, be it your scope, eyepieces, cameras, what ever. Aerosoles contain solvents that WILL damage coatings.

John, I'm not sure if Mr Sheen is the best product for a scope. It leaves too much of an oily residue that will be picked up by fingers. I really wouldn't be applying any type of lubricant, wax or Mr Sheen, to any surface that isn't a bearing. Well cleaned, the truss poles of a collapsible scope is all the performance enhancement they should need. That's how they've been designed to work too.

[asimov]

I know my 14" collapsible came with some sort of coating on the poles. It almost feels like CRC or possibly WD40 or something similar. They feel real slick & slippery to touch.

[mental4astro]

I'm surprised that it did. I'm game enough to say that it is just a commercial gimick to make it slick to new buyers of the scope. They, the poles, should not need lubricating. When 'dry', and you pull too hard, yes there will be some binding, but that is a sign that you are pulling/pushing too hard on the pole mechanisms. Back off the instensity of your effort, and the components will move much more freely. Do it nice and slow. You are less likely to introduce fatique into the parts aswell, which is probably more important.

If you really, really want to lube up the poles, I'd also just use the car wax I mentioned earlier.