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I finally made the first of 3 lateral axis spring devices for my telescope.
The first picture shows the device placed under the primary mirror but
not bolted on with the wing nuts yet.
The next 3 pictures give different views of the mechanism.
I had to make many parts - including the L brackets with 2 holes -
one hole is a slot type to allow tension adjustment of the spring
when all 3 are finally fitted.
The wooden block is made out of very hard wood.
I had to use calipers to draw a radius on some paper and transfer that to the rounded end
to match the inside radius of the carbon fiber tube.
It fits the tube perfectly and took ages to get the curve right.
A flat blade Speedbor was used to make an 18mm hole for the spring to fit.
A piece of copper tube and some cloth tape was used to make
a bushing for the end of the bolt closest to the L bracket.
A brass bush would have been nicer but only a machine shop
could make that and it's not critical.
A spring bucket would be nice inside the wooden end piece but
once again I don't have a lathe to make one and
I don't think it's critical either.
Now I have to make the other 2 and then drill 3 holes in the mirror cell to mount them.
I'm hoping this will be the answer for millions of people out there who have no lateral control
of the movement of their primary telescope mirror
which causes their collimation to change when the telescope is in different positions.
cheers
Allan
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