Telescope Storage Question

[austen4]

Hello,

I was just wondering that when your telescope is not in use do you take it off the mount. I have with my new scope and I think its putting stress on the screws? Would anyone be able to clarify this?

Thanks

[nicnac]

most telescopes are made of aluminium, as you know, its not the strongest metal.

even though my TAL is rolled steel, i still store my telescope and mount separately

[JonF]

I've just made a box for mine so I can keep it safe in the garage. I used the plans in Sky at Night magazine. Unlike their wimpy version I built mine out of 18mm pine furniture board. Should keep it nic and safe.

[Tinker1947]

I take my scope of the mount, mainly because i can't move them to there storage room together...

[x6gas]

How funny - I was about to post a similar question.

I have seen advice on here saying that it is better to store the 'scope off of the mount so as not to place strain on the mount gears or, IIRC, for fear of wearing the gears in the same place.

I always store my newts vertically, with the primary mirror end on the floor... but I've recently got an SCT and obviously you can store it with the primary 'down' as it were because of the visual back...

SCT owners, do you store your vertically, scope corrector plate down, or horizontally?

[hayju01]

I too can not move mine setup with out removing the OTA. My carpentry skills are not up to those of others on the thread so I purchase this Buy John Lewis Heywood Linen Bin online at JohnLewis.com - John Lewis as well as some foam to pad it out. A bit of a squeeze to get the OTA in but it's easily manageable and very reassuring.

[austen4]

Thanks guys, looks like I will keep with storing them separately.

[nicnac]

How funny - I was about to post a similar question.

I have seen advice on here saying that it is better to store the 'scope off of the mount so as not to place strain on the mount gears or, IIRC, for fear of wearing the gears in the same place.

I always store my newts vertically, with the primary mirror end on the floor... but I've recently got an SCT and obviously you can store it with the primary 'down' as it were because of the visual back...

SCT owners, do you store your vertically, scope corrector plate down, or horizontally?

CPC's rest with the plate down when in standby, if that is any help

[x6gas]

CPC's rest with the plate down when in standby, if that is any help

Ah! good knowledge, ta!

[LukeSkywatcher]

I've decided to store my 8se seperate from the mount. I'd be afraid of putting strain on either the mount or dovetail.

[Psychobilly]

In very hot weather the grease on the baffle tube can soften and run along the tube...

[LukeSkywatcher]

In very hot weather the grease on the baffle tube can soften and rin along the tube...

So not something to worry about in this part of the world.

[Psychobilly]

I have seen it on my CPC800...

[space3]

I store my mount and scope in their original boxes,

is it ok to store the SCT like this, or should it be corrector down?

[LukeSkywatcher]

Original box is fine. Just make sure you have the polystyrene inset to protect it.

[space3]

Original box is fine. Just make sure you have the polystyrene inset to protect it.

all packed in nice and neat

[LukeSkywatcher]

Same here. I'm gonna drag out a couple of small semi-hard overnight cases tomorrow and see if my OTA will fit into one of them. If not it will be a sports kit bag or something.

[damnut]

No choice with my 70lb sct lump. Off the mount, the base on the conservatory floor and the corrector plate and cover pointing vertically down in the forks.

Cheers