Nearly a disaster

[Zachariah]

I have been trying to collimate my SW skyliner 150 dob. But when I tried to adjust the secondary I found both the allen screws and the phillips head screw very tight. Anyway as I tried to move one I noticed the spider vanes start to twist! A quick look through the foccuser confirmed that I had indeed put the secindary right out of line. Fortunatly I was able to twist it back again, hopefully without any damage. Not tried using it yet though, but my laser looks ok.

Why make them so tight? Means I cant adjust the secondary, was I doing something wrong?

[tbird]

They do tend to very tight when new. I held the secondary holder tightly with one hand while undoing the philips screw with the other to release the pressure on the adjusting screws.

[Zachariah]

Thanks for that I should have known! Just hope I havnt done any damage.

[Tinker1947]

You could very carefully apply some Coca Cola to the screws, making sure you don't get it on other bits, a load of old sheets or cloth spread about with the scope level so the primary mirror is safe, leave them to soak over night and they will fall out in the morning, and think about it people drink that stuff...