adding radial-arm to R&P focuser

[asimov (John)]

Hi All.

I conducted yet another experiment today.

The concept is: Making the focuser knob [or one in this case] a lot BIGGER in diameter to achieve finer focus control.

I made an aluminium radial arm about 7" long & attached it the right focuser knob. In operation, you un-do the focuser knob slightly, freeing the radial arm...You then course focus with the left knob.. When you have good focus, do the right knob up firm to lock the arm. You can then finely focus the object in view.

The action is extremely smooth with next to no vibration/jiggling from your hand.

If anyone wants to know more about this, PM me if you want....No doubt I'm not the 1st to do this, I think I remember reading about this some years ago..Anyhow, I'm impressed on how well it works....& CHEAP!

Asimov

[RAJAH235]

pssstt. wanna buy an electric focuser?? L.

[iceman (Mike)]

Sounds good John, if you'd like to take a few pics and do a writeup in the form of a how-to, I think it would be good in the how-to section of the website, for those with R&P focusers and want to make them more useable.

[Starkler (Geoff)]

http://www.tomhole.com/Focus%20Arm.htm

[asimov (John)]

Thanks Geoff. As I pretty well suspected, I'm not the 1st to do it...Works great Though! Mine's a little easier to make....no caps or wing-nuts.

[ving (David)]

got motor so no thanks

sounds liek a great idea tho

[asimov (John)]

hmmm. Probably not worth doing a how-to for it seeing Tom hole's link is on-site now. Just finished taking some pics too!