New focuser

[Benno18]

Hi guys. Have bought a micro focuser from the ice trades, thinking that it would fit on to my sw 10 inch dob.
But it dosnt:shrug: it's a bintel focuser

Was thinking of just making a mounting plate out of some sheet metal I have lying around, and then mounting the focuser to that.

Any objections???

Thanks in advance
Benno

[brian nordstrom]

:) That should not be a problem if you are careful in mounting the focuser in exactly the same place as the origonal , but before you do anything check that the two focosers have the same travel , in and out and are the same hight , if not :sadeyes: you may have trouble reaching focus .
If they are the same ( within 10mm or so ) it wont hurt .
Brian.

[Benno18]

yeah checked that brian. They look quite close.
If it needs to travel out a bit more would you think an extra plate would be sufficient?

thanks
benno

[erick]

What doesn't fit, Ben? The Bintel focussers usually come off the baseplate (couple of sunken hex grub screws). If you can get the right baseplate - always worth asking in the classifieds - you might just be able to swap it over.

[Benno18]

The mounting holes of the new focuser dont line up with the old mount holes on the scope tube. The focuser is too small :(

yeah that would be great Erick. good thinking Batman!!

[ZeroID]

Drill new holes or make an adapter plate, no problem. Just do it !! :thumbsup:

I LOVE my workshop !! :D :P

[brian nordstrom]

:thumbsup: Thats it , drill new holes , but use this sequence ,
1st place the tube horizontal then place the new focuser as close to center as you can and mark 1 hole , remove the focuser and drill this 1st hole , then bolt the focuser not to tight with this 1 bolt , this allows a little movement , then mark the 2nd hole diagonally across from the 1st hole , using the with the drill bit as a scribe and remove the focuser .
;) Drill the 2nd hole and bolt the focuser with these 2 fairly tight ( if the hole aint quite alligned drill thru the focuser into the hole to centralise that hole , then bolt it down with 2 bolts ).
Then just drill the 3rd and 4th thru the focuser body and this garentees all holes are in the right place , remove the focuser for the last time and clean the sharp edges , remove any swarf ( bits of drilling ) and bolt the focuser in place for the last time , done :D ! .
Just be sure to do all this with the tube horizontal so you dont drop any swarf or tools onto the main mirror :mad2: .
Easy as that :thumbsup: .
Any chance of a few photos ? or an update when you have finished ?
Brian.

[brian nordstrom]

:) I forgot to mention its easier with 2 people doing this .
Brian.

[Benno18]

yeah brian photos will be on the way. Will be doing it tomorrow morning............. fingers crossed!!!!!

Should be quite easy, juat wanted to make sure i was doing the right thing!!!

cheers guys
Benno

[Benno18]

Just wanted to show those interested this photo.
It is the plate connected to the scope. Now to just attach the focuser!!!!!!

Should i just use the eyeball to align, or something special like a collimator?

cheers
Benno

[brian nordstrom]

:thumbsup: Spot on Benno , a good eyeball line up will be ok as there is plenty of movement in the spider and secondary to compensate a small ( 2mm or so ) missalignment .
Look forward to the finished photos .
:lol: Oh yea , aint it fun tinkering with scopes ? just be very careful around the optics .
Brian.

[ZeroID]

You're onto it Ben. I shifted my focal distance in to accommodate the DSLR and it loused up some EPS but I just got an extender that threads on and bingo we're back in business.
There is always a way ... :thumbsup: