Now I have the collimating down pat another problem shows up. The friction bearings sort of stick when I move the OTA on my SW 10" Dob, then let go and everything shudders. Has anybody come up with a solution to this annoying problem? thanks
Evan
Thanks all. I'm still new to this excellent site, and have just discovered the search engine. I had seen reference previously to "milk jug washers" and imagined some great technical marvel. So I typed that into the search engine and hey presto.... all my questions and more are answered. So simple I'll have the modifications done this arvo.
Evan
I went a bit further and stuck some pimply laminate to the underside of my rocker box. I still wasnt satisfied until buffing the laminate with turtle wax paste car wax. Now its schmick !
Hi Evan....... I did the same as Geoff, years ago with my Meade 10" dob.
The laminate used is called 'Ebony Star' Formica. There might be someone in here with a 1/2 sheet? or so, left over... L.
ps. But I run mine totally dry...no lubrication at all, just the very occasional clean.
It's a Formica product, not a laminate.
Wilson Art 'Ebony Star'. To be stuck on with a good contact cement such as KwikGrip.
Clean Ebony Star with any teflon/ptfe cleaner such as Armoural.
ALWAYS buff the surface to finish off.
A central load bearing can be made from another piece of teflon, all the milk container rings are doing is easing the load. Once you put on the Ebony Star you will find that you may not need the central bearing.
When I was looking for ebony star I was quoted about $130 at Bunnings to buy it in, and around $85 from a cabinet making business. The sheet was big enough to be able to do three 10 inch gso dobs.
I didnt want to wait, so i bought a sheet of pimply formica of another type that had a split in it for $15
The centre support will help with distributing the load slightly. For minor adjustments of thickness, use shims from 'Coke' cans or shim brass. L.
ps. Also, do not have the centre bolt/pivot too tight. Adjust so that you have ~10 mm play at base edges..
I know it's a few day's ipso facto, but for those in Melbourne's eastern suburbs the best place for the Ebony Star is Ringwood Laminates, they have kinda got used to me over the last 15 years. I've been sending ATM's there for about the same length of time. If you say that you need it for a telescope bearing they will look after you.
To do an 8" base (340 x 340mm) cost me about $10. At the same time I got some for my 13.25" base (400x400mm) for another $25. These were taken from offcuts.
.... I did the same as Geoff, years ago with my Meade 10" dob.
L.
If you say that you need it for a telescope bearing they will look after you. 
