Mods to GS Dob

[rmcpb (Rob)]

Finally got the camera out to show some mods to my scope:
- GS Crayford focuser
- Telrad between focuser and straight through finder, works really well as its just there when you need it but the finder scope is close as well. Needed to move the finder sideways about an inch for this mod.
- Larger altitude bearings, the standard GS ones are of smooth plastic and tend to stick so I made some wooden ones to go over them with laminate covering and larger teflon pads. Smooooooth.
- Setting circles and bubble level for set up. Have to glue the compass on yet and make the levelling feet, maybe tomorrow as I have a day off

Cheers

[Starkler (Geoff)]

Looks good Rob . Im particularly interested in the detail of how you fitted the larger altitude bearings and what they ride on. Did you have to chop into the base?

[stringscope (Ian)]

Very nice Rob. Did adding the Telrad cause any balance problems?

Cheers,

[rmcpb (Rob)]

Geoff, The hubs are just hollowed out to go over the original ones (they are 8" diameter) and they work well and are attched with some knock down bolts through the original holes in the plastic hubs. These are my prototypes and I am working on some that are attached to the classic box so I can balance the tube better and without the top half so they don't look so darn big. Yes, I had to chop into the base, that was the point of no return

Ian, No the Telrad has never given me any problems. The only balance problems I get are when I am at zenith or using a large eyepiece near the horizon or when I have the solar filter on. Using magnets fixes all those problems but to be safe I remove the Telrad and finder scope when observing the sun.

Cheers

[bytor666]

Nice mods Rob. I myself have bought a GS crayford focuser as well....were you aware that on the GS focuser that you can ROTATE the way the focuser sits on your tube?.

It can be rotated a full 360 degrees anywhere you like it!!!...I have mine on so that it can be racked in and out comfortably when at the zenith or close to 45 degrees.
There are 2 allen bolts on there that you can loosen to change the orientation of the focuser.

Here is the before and after pics .
-------------------
Mark
12" Gso Scope
15x70 OBERWERK binocs on the way

[rmcpb (Rob)]

Thanks for the tip Mark. I'll give it a go

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Wow! I didn't know that!!

Thank you Mark.