Rust on G11 Counter Weight Shaft

[Logieberra (Logan)]

Guys

I'm lovin the new G11, but after my Fri and Sat imaging sessions - rust has developed on the counter weight shaft.

I'm using the stock 21pound weight.

The rust wipes off, and has not left permanent marks.

What do you recommend to combat this (ok...here goes!):

- wax the shaft?

- silicone spay WD/40 on the shaft before imaging sessions?

- sand and re-paint with rust prevention paint inside the 21 pounder (this is the culperit spot)?

Cheers,

Logie.

[telemarker (Keith)]

Hmmmm, this could be serious. I think you'd better give the mount to me for a thorough try out. .

PS Sorry, can't help.
Keith

[allan gould]

The rust is not from the shaft as it's stainless steel. Its coming from your counter weight. Give it a wipe with WD40.

[troypiggo (Troy)]

There's nothing like Quality Assurance. Better leave it with me for testing after Keith has finished his checking...

[spearo (Frank)]

I'm kinda with Keith on this one, rust on stainless could mean you have a serious problem.
Feel free to wax the shaft but meanwhile I could look after the G11 for you
in case its radioactive or something like that
frank

[spearo (Frank)]

Ahh look, Troy also offers to help

IIS community is great and supportive of each other

I'm the only one willing to take the risk with a radioactive G11 though
:]

frank

[Peter Ward]

Take the mount to a scrap metal merchant and scrap it.

....you might get $2.00 for the counterweight alone

[TrevorW]

Buy stainless steel counterweights from

Astro Accessories from RobinCasady.com

[spearo (Frank)]

Originally Posted by Peter Ward

Take the mount to a scrap metal merchant and scrap it.

....you might get $2.00 for the counterweight alone

[Logieberra (Logan)]

Hhahaha, thanks guys. Looks like Keith got in first, you better come and collect her this afternoon... bring a crane! hahaha

We get LOTS of fog and dew here in cold Canberra. It's to be expected.

Anyways, a simple fix (thank Allan): I now keep a can of WD40 in the astro-tool box, and apply a small amount to a rag and coat the inside of the 21pounder. I'll do this before every imaging session. Myth Busted!

P.S. when you get a mount this nice, it's appropriate to be a little OTT

Logie.

[Logieberra (Logan)]

Trev, I checked out your RobinC counter weights. Shipping gold ingots from the US is prohibitively expensive! I wish

I went with a local engineering firm:
- 3kg and 5kg (I now have the complete Losmandy line)
- 3/8 threaded
- $125.00 + GST
- Bunning sells fantastic 3/8 threaded knobs, and I grabbed a length of 3/8 threaded rod while I was there. Drilled out the end of the rod, 1cm deep and press-fitted a bit of black plastic in there to prevent scratching (looks like the stock knob)
- Painted the weights with special enamel / rust proof paint

Done.

Logie