It turns out I have a bent pinion bar (is it called an axel?) in the focuser of my 80mm Vixen refractor, and it's making for quite the unpleasant roller-coaster variable resistance ride up and down the drawtube!
Approx 96mm long. Please refer to attached pics. I've currently fitted a shorter (and straight) one from my Custom 60L, which has vastly improved the focus movement, but the quite narrow placement of the focus knobs really is not ideal, and not to original spec.
I tried the one from my Skywatcher 120 f/5 and was amazed it fit and works - quite well actually! Though those brushed aluminium mag-wheel type focus knobs do look rather terrible on the graceful 'scope, and really is not a long term option.
Is anyone parting out a 'scope, or have upgraded their focuser? Do you have a box of bits to rummage through?
Any tips as to where one could be purchased, or even handy hints about how to safely approach straightening the one I have? All info and advice appreciated.
Mods, please move this post to the equipment discussion section if this is deemed to not satisfy classifieds TOS.
Thanks for reading.
Regards, Dean
Melbourne
Last edited by 38degsouth; 15-02-2022 at 12:45 PM.
Reason: Found
To close out this posting, and for the sake of archive search..
Australian authorised dealer (CRKennedy in Melb.) have now arranged for replacement parts to be sent out from Japan. Thanks Victor (at CRK), and Vixen Japan!
