DaveL59

can't help with if it should be there or not, but looks like a 0.5mm thin nylon washer perhaps, which you may be able to source off the bay, tho if anyone does that diameter I don't know. Hopefully someone will be along and say they don't and you'll be able to reassemble as I guess it's a fair bit of work to do it and find you really did need it and have to undo it all again.

thanks Roy, I hope to resurrect the scope if at all possible. I'm thinking that a 0.965 to 1.25 adaptor may be the better solution longer term for flexibility, that way I can use my regular diagonal and eyepieces rather than have to contort to crazy angled with a straight through setup as it currently is. Only thing will be to stop the fine focuser from rotating somehow. I'm looking out for a 0.965 diagonal though, at which point a set of the smaller eyepieces may well be a good idea so I can still use the 1.25 stuff on the TAL at the same time. On those lines, I'd gladly relieve you of them if you're sure you won't want them again

thanks Alan, yeah am a sucker for vintage and giving it a new life and I do like the way it looks and is built. There's hope though from the quick daytime view I did earlier, and of course Peter may well be able to supply an 80mm lens that may well suit. Just heard back from IRPoyser who unfortunately doesn't have anything in that size but has suggested others who may be able. One way or another I expect this one will be enjoying some starlight at some point in the future, I'm not giving up just yet

Decided to take a look and see how bad the lens damage is, daytime of course target a tree about 300M away surprisingly not so bad at all! Tried the 0.965 MA40 and that gives a narrower FoV and a 20mm held roughly on the end of the focus tube even tighter still. I think tho that the MA40 is kinda barlowed as it has a lens in the barrel as well but even so it might just be usable still edit - the spall was at the bottom of the objective in the test view

oh wow, I'd be very grateful for that Peter, thanks very much. Will PM you to sort something.

figured I can't do any more harm, so off with the focuser just to see what's what. one screw and the focuser lock thumbscrew and out it slid. Removing the eyepiece securing screw I could undo the holder and as expected it's threaded so likely acts as fin focus. Some white gloop on the threads, probably to effect a smooth but draggy motion to reduce slop and drift. I notice too the eyepiece screw is plastic with a brass outer, nice touch as it hasn't marked the eyepiece barrel at all. View down the tube shows black thin card between the baffles, the screw that's visible secures the finder base so can be improved for sure tho it likely doesn't impinge at all by this point in the optical path. So plenty of scope to freshen up if I can find a suitable objective, I'd say the previous owner has had this apart in the past, given the later finder and possibly the black card inserted to darken the tube. Might even have built it himself for all I know. For sure one that would be nice to restore so still kicking myself about that lens. Oh well, still hope, maybe

thanks Jeremy, have sent off a mail and will see what he comes back with. There's options I believe, just a case of what it'll cost and so forth. At least it only cost me £20 and some fuel so far

only thing was a C in black pen that I noticed, no other markings tho I've not had the focuser end apart as yet. I'm curious too, it's a well made scope so I'm not giving up on it yet. I expect it was a custom ground lens for that too which makes me feel real bad but what can you do. Probably it tilted slightly when I'd loosened things earlier and that little pressure applied on the edge was all it needed. Might ping astroboot and see what outer diameter the Bresser 70mm cell they list is, tho that's 700mm FL so a big chunk to take off this OTA.

Thanks Jeremy, yeah had to try, at least it's not a big financial hit, so far. Tempted to get some glass cement/glue and stick the spall back in place and see how bad that makes it Am wondering if I can fettle a 70mm objective cell into the end as Astroboot may have something. Can always shorten the tube if a 900mm FL lens doesn't quite give enough in-focus. I wonder if the 80mm scopes the lens is slightly more than 80mm as that'll make getting a modern drop-in replacement somewhat harder. A custom made lens looks like it'd be over £100 to get so that's not an option I think. Not like it has sentimental value to me after all but would be nice to find a way to make it usable if I can do it for a reasonable cost.

just tried it out aiming at some distant trees and there's still a reasonable image, can't say on how distorted tho, but on stars for sure that section will be all over the place I bet. I guess I'll see what else I can do to tidy it up and keep an eye out for a 80/900+mm achromatic scope that's cheap and scavenge the objective to return this to good order once more. Gutted tho, I guess that's the risk with old glass and I lucked out in dismantling this time around.

OH NOOO!!!!! 😢 😢 😢 Seems that grub screw (countersunk as it tirns out not grub) does in fact hold the entire end on the tube and once removed it slides out fairly easy, tho the brass part still doesn't come away. BUT... as I removed it I hear a plink and something flies out of the end Oh bother! Guess that'll ruin the views a bit Anyone got a nice 79.4mm diameter F15 objective going spare? edit: in fact it's likely F12 or F13 given the lens to max extension on the drawtube is 110CM. Thinks maybe I shoulda left this one alone for a while before I decided to go and work on it. DAMMIT!!!

thought I'd try ease the brass dew shield off as it seemed to move with a little pull to get a better look at the lens and give the objective a clean. Is very very tight on a white metal tube under it. I notice tho that the objective lens is also moving with the shield, not quite what I was expecting. Think this is going to take a while to tease off as clearly not something I can afford to distort or damage if its integral to the lens "cell". Not sure what that grub screw does, didn't change anything when I backed it off, guess I'll know once I get the shield and lens free. Looks like there may be some sort of ring to secure the lens tho so maybe it should be separate to the brass shield, just age has got them seized to each other. ack I've a few things I really have to get done by Monday, knew this scope would end up diverting me if I bought it

changed the topic heading since I now have the scope

Thanks Geoff, will have a scan around and see if I find something that suits. A nice brass cap would look good I think but not so easy to find. Could fashion one out of lead sheet I have kicking around, tho perhaps not a good material for long term given the health implications of lead these days plus it'll deform way too easy Do want to order some tethered objective covers for the Swift HR/5's I'm repairing at some stage too, or find a case that suits them perhaps. Methinks I've hit the limit on projects I can juggle for the moment, not to mention room for them all lol. Still need to overhaul that EQ5 mount it's attached to as it's very sticky on the RA axis. Wouldn't mind fitting an RA motor to it one day just for more relaxed viewing but that's one for a future day perhaps.

Yep, it's an astro scope. Pretty pleased as it seems very well made, there's even a small level indicator on the end of the wood carrier. Am wondering if I can polish up the brass and somehow prevent it tarnishing, clear lacquer coat maybe? Thinking on the diagonal/eyepiece side, think I'll get a 0.965 adaptor so I can use 1.25 inch bits with it, saves trying to collect a load of older 0.965 components that are a bit like rocking horse poo for good ones. Do need to sort end caps for it and perhaps better rings/caps and a finder that suits the scope a bit better. Not planning to get it set up on a dual rig like Stu has done with his peashooter/telementor setup tho, famous last words maybe

may not help recovering it, but have you checked the electrolyte levels in the battery cells? Even sealed batteries can be opened and topped up, just a case of popping off the inspection panel and lifting the seals. 10A is quite a high drain but no more than a mobility buggy I guess. Was your battery one of the deep discharge mobility type?

wow so in fact it's not in bad shape, drawtube very stiff tho. 80mm objective diameter tho likely more 75/76mm and what looks like a brass plossl type eyepiece which is the smaller 0.96 type. All the metalwork is non-ferrous and looks to be leather covering the tube. Will check at some stage if the EP carrier can be swapped to allow 1.25-inch ones to be used, not sure tho as it rotates with a pin limiting the turn, fine focus perhaps. Sadly he didn't know when his dad has bought it etc so no history other than it's old. Managed to fit the EQ5 small plate onto the wooden affair and set it up on the spare EQ5. Does need some TLC but am quite happy for the price paid. Had a quick peek propped on the rotary washing line at distant trees and optics look reasonably clear, out of focus but not so easy to mess with that one-handed lol. A few pics. Man that is a long scope 😮 45 inches in that pic, tho the TAL100RS will be about the same once the focuser extends and the diagonal fitted. Guess I may need to look out for a 0.96 diagonal and eyepieces now. I do have a Meade MA40 one already tho and no clue what the one fitted is FL-wise. Ah well, another adventure awaits... added: Figured why the drawtube was so stiff - there's a lock thumbscrew on the side of the OTA, DOH! So it slides nice and easy then Seems well made and thought out and likely cost a fair few bob back in its time, what 40+ years ago maybe?

how low were you running the battery as that's a pretty short lifespan? Load rating that the hairdryer draws when running would help too, could be it's too much on a long use and causing the plates to warp? Not sure that the LiPo types would really suit tho I could be wrong, LiFePo maybe if you want to spend that amount, would be a lot lighter and perhaps stand the drain/charge cycling better than lead ones. You might get away with a lower Ah rating too since the volts wont fall away as you drain the battery.

and I just cut a deal and bought it lol. Will see how it is when I collect it and what the views are like if the cloud ever clears

thanks Steve, can't say the paint finish is perfect but it looks pretty reasonable and will be nice to get her back looking at the stars. Not so much left to do and it's been theraputic given the times and being stuck at home. Always good to keep the mind ticking along with a few little projects

Does look ok Mark so long as the mirrors are still good, almost tempted but so can't do that trip at the moment, tho I am getting more tempted by the old refractor that's not so far from me lol

Came across this one, cambridge way but its the smaller Alcor (65mm) as Stu has (the peashooter). Even has the nice fully fitted wood case too tho the foam has had it and stuck to the tubes. Different design to the M but likely just as solid. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/303623383926?ul_noapp=true

well I thought I'd ask for some measurements... Seems its a 3-inch OTA approx 36-inch long, covered in maybe leather, brass ends. hmmmm... can you tell my resolve to pass on it is wavering...

seems you blighted kent too JOC 😛 Know the feeling tho, here from the upstairs front bedroom there's a chance it should come into view, but v bright LED streetlight glare sure hasn't helped so far. Hopefully it'll be clear one night and will get to see it once it pans toward N...

a bit closer - coat of hammerite black on top of the matt paint so off with the other arm it is then and see if I can get them to match... or madness sets in first 😉