fitting a GSO 10:1 to a Tak focuser pinion

[monoxide]

after finding out the cost of importing a micro focuser for the FS-102 i thought there had to be cheaper option.

i pulled out my old 6" newt and thought there has to be a way to fit the fine focus part to the tak pinion and after a few hours of mucking around i finally got it, really wasnt that hard to do AND is completely reversible leaving no marks etc on the OTA or focuser.

now i have 10:1 fine focus on my Tak that works with my Motofocus/PC Focus = im very very happy
not that the tak focuser is a pile of junk or anything but i really did miss my motorised focuser when it comes to imaging.

i can make a step by step guide if anyone is really interested.
heres the photos:

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Got your PM, thanks, and what a fabulous idea Tony. I just happen to have a couple of spare GSO 10:1's floating around - and a WO one as well. I'll certainly give them a go!

[monoxide]

all you really need is a spare screw that has the same thread as the one that holds the focuser knob on, heres a short how-to..

1) pull out the gso fine focus part of the gso focuser
2) undo the 2 small grub screws holding the shaft in and pull it out
3) replace the shaft with a screw that fits the tak pinion (flatten out 2 sides going into the bit the shaft came out so the grub screws dont just slip on the thread)
4) put the plastic spacer bit on and screw the new 'shaft' into the tak pinion (use some loctite so it doesnt undo when you turn the knob)
5) make up a bracket to hold the whole thing so it doesnt just spin around in circles (mine is just thick white plastic)

hope that makes sense

[Zuts]

Hi,

I put one of these on my Meade 5000 ED 80 and it worked fine. A very cheap option.

Cheers
Paul

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Great stuff Tony.

My effort:

[bmitchell82 (Brendan)]

looks like it was ment to be

[monoxide]

Originally Posted by Omaroo

Great stuff Tony.

My effort:

looks good Chris, i might have to find a bit of tube
would look spot on with a bit of tak green paint.

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Tell you what - they really bind at the slightest excuse. Also, adjustment of the roller bearing tension is so critical, it either grips or it doesn't. Weight of the camera affects it badly. Not sure if it's going to stay.

[monoxide]

hehe, i had to adjust the nut on the brass thread a little.
makes the motion a bit stiffer but its still very nice to use and can handle the weight (i installed mine while the camera was on there)

edit: pic added
i did pull the whole fine focus part to bits and clean it out/re greased it too, yours might be binding if the nut is too tight?

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Nah Tony - I always adjust that tension nut during a focusers' normal course of duty anyway. The R&P tension coupled with the 10:1 bearing tension makes finding the balance between very difficult. That and the fact that my shaft is a little out of round means that it hits tough spots up and down the length of travel. I need to replace my shaft, and if I do that I should just get a complete Feathertouch draw tube assembly for this scope.

[monoxide]

ahh i see, yep you'll need the whole focuser since the tak micro needs the (perfectly straight) pinion from the original focuser.
sounds like your out of luck

i was worried about mine binding too but i racked it all the way in and out a few times with the motofocus and it worked a treat

you'll probably want to be sitting down when you get the price of a full feathertouch focuser for it, just the micro was expensive enough

ah well, you might be able to get something to work atleast until the $ recovers but like i said before, i wasnt so much interested in the 10:1 part, i just wanted my motofocus back!