johninderby

Ah but they have good memories and will remember to ask for it back. 😁

Have been wondering how these two scopes compare. The Cassegrain has more aperture and no meniscus lens and should cool down faster and has a crayford focuser and a fixed primary. Made by GSO and the same as the TS and Orion versions. Omegon Cassegrain Pro CC 203/2436 OTA https://www.omegon.eu/telescopes/omegon-cassegrain-telescope-pro-cc-203-2436-ota/p,61487 However not a lot of reviews out there although the few do seem positive. I mean I like my Skymax 180 but would there be any advantage in changing it for the classical Cassegrain. . Hmmmmmmm 🤔

I wouldn’t be adding DSCs for a while anyway so in no hurry to decide. If the encoders are also a DIY fitment then wouldn’t get then right away.

Used to have an Argo Navis on the OD350 dob.

They could easily produce a dual fit top plate with seperate drop in centers for the EQ5 and EQ6 and an adapter from M10 to M12 for the centre bolt. Couln’t find a long enough adapter to enable me to use the stock M10 bolt. Engineering rule of thumb is twice the diameter of the bolt should engage in a tapped hole in aluminium so decided not to use the adapter I found. It probably might do but the thought of a couple of thousand £ of mount and scope depeding on it probably being good enough isn’t good enough. 🙀

Still have the TS-AZ5 mount (Skytee) to sell which would nearly pay for the encoders. Something tells me this mount is going to be slightly in demand. 😁

I was thinking the same thing. Could afford the encoders now but not the Nexus DSC.Would expect they could be fitted afterwards but would like to know for sure.

Great price but unfortunately parking is about £3.00 near the local shop.🤬 Oh well it’s on Kindle at £4.49. 🙂

My EQ5 / EQ6 dual fit Berlebach tripod is ready and waiting. 🙂

Switching to the EQ6 setup will only take a couple of minutes and will not need any tools. Just remove the M10 bolt and the locating peg then drop the new EQ6 adapter ring on the top, insert the three screws and fasten with thumb nuts on the bottom. Then insert the M12 bolt and you’re ready to go. As simple as that. 🙂 If I want to fit the locating peg I have added a threaded hole to screw it into. Very pleased with the end result and think it looks as if this could be a Berlebach option which begs the question how come Berlebach isn’t offering such an option??? 🤔 Ready and waiting for the AZ100. 😎

All done 🙂 Made the new central bolts and drilled and tapped the central bolt hole in the top plate to M12. When set up for an EQ5 type mount the new fully threaded central,bolt is inserted through the hole and an M10 nut is put on the bolt to stop the bolt from falling out. The locating peg is retained using a thumb nut on the underside. Top photo shows the new EQ6 bolt on the left, the new EQ5 bolt In the middle and the old bolt on the right. The new M12 bolt had the middle turned down in the lathe as per the original bolt. You hardly notice the extra holes in the top plate.

Do you mean a Skywatcher Mak? Anyway that helical focuser isn’t very good if used horizontaly. Much better if used vertically in the top of a diagonal. This Baader prism diagonal has a micro focuser on the top. https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/baader-prism-diagonal-t-2-90-with-focusing-eyepiece-holder-and-125-nosepiece.html

No two printers print exactly the same. With all the variables in set up each one ends up a little bit different and you have to learn what works with yours. And get a good slicer. Simplify3D isn’t cheap but can transform the results you get. Well worth it for the results. 👍🏻

Very rarely does something print out the perfect size first time. Usualy needs a tiny tweek in scaleing.

I have a few different sizes of strap wrenches that usually deal with any spacer or filter. Only once have I had to resort to something more brutal to remove a filter. Had a 2” filter that had welded irself to a duagonal nosepiece. Filter straps on their own or anything else I tried just couldn’t do it so decided that I might have to destroy the filter to get it off. Removed the nospiece from the diagonal and clamped the filter in a bench vice so tightly I was sure I was going to crush the glass. Then used a very large strap wrench on the nosepiece and finaly got the filter off. Surprisingly the filter survived and is still used.🙀

Looking better with some paint. 👍🏻 Also repainted the top of the top plate as it was looking a bit scratched up.

Better would be to get a proper 2” compression ring adapter like this one from FLO. https://www.firstlightoptics.com/adapters/astro-essentials-2-inch-compression-ring-adapter-for-sky-watcher-newtonians-and-72ed-refractor-m54.html

Got the mounting ring done. It was laser cut from 8mm aluminium to 120mm OD by 65mm ID. When I measured it it was about 64.9mm and the opening needs to be just over 65mm so using the sanding drum set I got this morning ground the opening out to about 65.4mm then sanded everything down smooth. Then measured for the countersunk,bolts that would hold the ring down. Used the existing hole for the peg in the top for one of the holes and measured for the two other holes. Then drilled and countersunk,the holes using the drill press Then place the ring in posrion and marked and drilled the other two holes in the top. I was going to use M6 screws but the heads were a bit big to sit close enough to the inside edge of the ring so used M5. Instead. Now need to get some M5 thunb knobs. Next measured for the locating peg and drilled a hole in the new ring and marked the tripod top and drilled a smaller hole and tapped it to M6. Now the peg can be screwed into,place if needed. Now to paint the ring black.

Have started a thread in the DIY Astronomer section on the dual fit Berlebach project. 👍🏻

OK the bits have arrived to start the Berlebach Uni EQ5 tripod conversion.. When finished will allow switching between EQ5 and EQ6 mounts in about two or three minutes with no tools needed and no need to buy another tripod top from Berlebach.👍🏻 Total cost will be about £40.00. Will make a start this afternoon.

This may not look astro related but will,be essential to making something astro related. 🔭

Or use some anti-seize compound which is more effective than boot polish but boot polish is better than nothing. Like this jar lid remover strap wrench as it’s easier to use as you tighten it by twisting the handle and the strap won’t fall out while adjusting it.Ideal for unscrewing stuck filters. Not cheap though. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zyliss-StrongBoy-Jar-Opener-Grey/dp/B002KFZKZ8?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_4

You tighten something finger tight and when you come to remove it it seems to have become welded on. 😁

KIt will be a much simpler affair than the Altair. Just waiting on the aluminium plate from the laser cutters that was posted today.

It should allow changing back in a few minutes. 👍🏻 Hopefully the parts will arrive tomorrow.