Old scope, new smile.

[OffGrid (Steve)]

G'day Folks,

I have a smile on my dial tonight after having success in bringing my near 50 year old 50mm refractor out of retirement.
The Ascotron table scope was bought for me by my Dad when I was a lad and presented my first real connection with the heavens.
Alas, by the time I was ejected from my teens it become unusable despite efforts to clean all elements, so it was relegated to the wardrobe.

I had found setting up and packing up of the LX90 8 inch a a bit daunting at times which dampened the grab and look ability such as can be done with say bino's.
A few weeks ago I managed to get a 1" to 1.25" star diagonal out of Bintel Melbourne via the Glebe guru's that I was hoping to permit me to use the eye pieces I have for the Meade LX90.

Disappointment ensured when I could not achieve focus on stars. So, I asked a friend today if he would reduce the 1.25" eyepiece socket depth by 8mm on his very sophisticated lathe, not knowing if that would achieve focus.

It worked and I now have clear star focus with a bit to spare. ( after all, the universe is expanding is it not)
Next task is to see if there are 50mm ato rings and mounts available so I can look at getting this little scope on a grab and go mount and tripod.

[The Mekon (John Briggs)]

Steve,

I used to dream about having a 50mm table scope - all I had was a 40mm one with a fixed eyepiece!

I remember these scopes well, they were $19.50 in 1966 at the AASC in Sydney. By 1981 this had risen to $69.50 but still the same basic scope.

Good to see you have made it into a usable instrument again.

[OffGrid (Steve)]

Cheers John B,
It would have been around 66-68 that my Dad bought me the scope. It was from Sydney as much as I recall.

Making the scope grab and go Astro friendly again is proving a challenge. Getting the optics working was very satisfying but I have had no success with 50mm scope rings.

So here is what I am going to try.

I found these 50mm aluminium clamps that are used for supporting stage lighting etc. Perhaps a bit overkill but they look neat in the attached link
http://www.jdsound.com.au/products/1...0mm-truss.aspx
Once I get them and if successful, then I can determine what I need to attach to a Alt-Az mount.

[The Mekon (John Briggs)]

Steve,

What is the actual diameter of the tube? I have a clamshell from Stellarvue that fits a 50mm finder. Perhaps one of these will suit as a ring. Are you able to remove the yoke pivots?

regards
John

[OffGrid (Steve)]

Cheers John,

Scope tube is 50mm but I do not want to take off what you refer to as the yoke pivots ( ta, now I know what they are called ).

I wish to leave the scope as near to original as possible whilst still being functional.
So, hopefully tomorrow I can get 2 of the stage light clamps ordered which should fit for and aft of the pivots with a suitable bridging bar between the clamps.

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

Great story , thanks for sharing , I am sure the little 50mm will perform well using better 1 1/4 eyepieces.
Brian.

[OffGrid (Steve)]

Yes Brian, I can't wait to get the scope on some sort of stable mount to do a non wobbly visual. So far though, all looking up.

I ordered the 50mm Black Alu light clamps from JD Sound this morning and got an email this arvo to say they were dispatched and on road with Star Track Express. Now there is a name to behold. Hopefully they have a warp drive and the clamps get here soon.

I have had a browse at two Alt-Az mounts that may be suitable.
A Vixen Porta II from MyAstroshop and a Bintel Skyview.
With the dovetail plates it seems the Skyview may be winner by price.
I know little else about the mounts and their tripods.

[OffGrid (Steve)]

Still smiling.
Light clamps arrived and they fit like gloves. Look good to, not as industrial as I imagined. Beats scaffold clamps by any stretch.

I have not posted pics before so I will give it a shot this arvo.

[OffGrid (Steve)]

Here are some pics of progress to date.

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

Looking really good so far .
On the mount,s I had the Bintel one and it was very good for the price at supporting an ED80 solidly .

I also have a mate with the Vixen and yes it is in another league quality wise but for your little sweetie I think the Bintel mount will be plenty enough , they are well made to a price just not as good as the Vixen.

And the slo-mo controls are a real bonus.

My 5c.

Brian.

[OffGrid (Steve)]

Cheers Brian,
Yup, I was leaning towards the Bintel just on price. It does not have to be high end, but better than my interim solution as per attached pic.

Looks like I won't be viewing tonight though. It was sunny here up until the package arrived.

I forgot about the cloud that comes with astro packaging