[Clancy Lane (Phil)]

(Apologies to Humayun for using his heading)

I have been advised to post this for the information of other Takahashi owners with a 2.7" focuser. (Mine is a TSA120)

As can be seen in the attached image, this focuser is worn away on the saddle that holds the spindle shaft and that is tensioned by a plate with two screws.

It is such a simple mechanism that it is hard to understand how this wear could occur in such a short time with little use by both owners.

Also intriguing is the black outline around the worn area...who and when did someone take it upon themselves to outline the effected area?

Was it Quality control?

This fault has been brought to the attention of Claude at AEC and he is as horrified as I was.

Claude has been marvellous and is sending images and info to Japan for advice, as the warranty is not transferable.

I used the scope without a problem at Qld Astrofest with manual focusing only.

It was only after fitting a custom JMI motor focuser and having problems with getting the focuser to work that we dismantled the focus mechanism and discovered the wear.

The scope serial number is 130163 which means it was a 2013 model.

If you own a focuser similar to this, it may be beneficial to have a look and see if there is similar wear.

May I stress that the previous owner had no knowledge of this problem when the scope was sold and absolutely no inference should be made that he is at fault in any way.

I hope this post is of help.

regards,

Phil