Sky-Watcher 12" Flexitube assembly

[Chillie (Henry)]

Hi,

I am still waiting for my Sky-Watcher 12" Flexitube Dobsonian to arrive, but I want to "hit the ground running" and so I have a few questions on assembly.

You may wish to refer to the following manual:

http://www.skywatchertelescope.net/s...b-120508V3.pdf

I have been told that the edges of the timber that butt up to other pieces are bare timber.

1. Should paint these edges with sealer?

2. Since the base is not designed to be disassembled once assembled, should I glue the base together?

3. If I glue the base, what glue should I use? Construction adhesive or Epoxy?

4. Are there any other modifications I should consider at this early stage of the hobby?

An Argo Navis would be nice but a bit out of my price range at the moment.

Thanks for your advice.

[astronut (John)]

Originally Posted by Chillie

Hi,

I am still waiting for my Sky-Watcher 12" Flexitube Dobsonian to arrive, but I want to "hit the ground running" and so I have a few questions on assembly.

You may wish to refer to the following manual:

http://www.skywatchertelescope.net/s...b-120508V3.pdf

I have been told that the edges of the timber that butt up to other pieces are bare timber.

1. Should paint these edges with sealer?

2. Since the base is not designed to be disassembled once assembled, should I glue the base together?

3. If I glue the base, what glue should I use? Construction adhesive or Epoxy?

4. Are there any other modifications I should consider at this early stage of the hobby?

An Argo Navis would be nice but a bit out of my price range at the moment.

Thanks for your advice.

Henry,
Congratulations on the new scope, a friend of mine has one of these and it works very well.
1.Sealer is a good idea. Gluing is not essential.
Once the base is assembled, I suggest that you apply Superglue to ALL the edges of the base.
This will help prevent absorption of water into the base.
If you handle the base carefully it should last a long time.
I've had my 12"LB for three years and the base is still in top condition.

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

John's idea is sound - and then after applying glue to the edges you could run a bead of black automotive silicone just to make sure. Some silicones vent ammonia for a while whilst curing, so make sure that it is a good quality automotive one.

[toryglen-boy (Duncan)]

Originally Posted by Chillie

Hi,

I am still waiting for my Sky-Watcher 12" Flexitube Dobsonian to arrive, but I want to "hit the ground running" and so I have a few questions on assembly.

You may wish to refer to the following manual:

http://www.skywatchertelescope.net/s...b-120508V3.pdf

I have been told that the edges of the timber that butt up to other pieces are bare timber.
No they are not, they are MDF, but the edges have a sealer strip on them


1. Should paint these edges with sealer?
Not really needed, but up to you


2. Since the base is not designed to be disassembled once assembled, should I glue the base together?
what makes you say that?. the base comes with a screwdriver and allen wrench so it CAN be disassembled, although your right, i wouldnt recommend it

3. If I glue the base, what glue should I use? Construction adhesive or Epoxy? if you wanna glue it to help with sealing it then fine, but ifs its to add stability, there really is no need it feels very sold when built

4. Are there any other modifications I should consider at this early stage of the hobby? i dont think so, the 8" and 10" base are slightly different, the 12" base has extra struts on the side

An Argo Navis would be nice but a bit out of my price range at the moment.

Thanks for your advice.

hope that helps

[beefking (Nathan)]

I had been wondering what to do about moisture getting into the wood - that glue and sealer sounds like a good Idea, I think I'll look into it.

now I just have to make sure I disable the automatic sprinklers while the scope's in the backyard.

[Chillie (Henry)]

Thanks guys for your advice. I'm still waiting for it to arrive.

I was on here most of the afternoon (not logged in) reading all 9 pages of the Agro Navis thread. I'll have to look at my credit card but I'm not sure whether to buy one before or after Easter.

I just hope that my Dob turns up before Easter.