Just got my 150 Dob is there any mods

[kernowstargazer]

Hi every one thanks for the advice on getting a scope i am the proud owner of SW 150p dob and was just wondering if there was any cheap mods i can do to it to make life easier for my scope like making the Azimuth movement a bit more smooth as found it a bit stiff. My wife came in after i put it together and said "blumming size of that thing were you going to put it":eek:

[spaceboy]

Buy Lazy Susan Bearing from Axminster, fast delivery for the UK for AZ

[kernowstargazer]

That looks quite good how do you fit to the dob base? Does anyone know of any websites or tuts on modding a dob.

[brantuk]

I just flocked my dob - it's a great move for higher contrast viewing and eliminating stray light, and dead cheap to do. You can also get a Wixey magnetic angle guage and an Azimuth setting circle for an accurate pointing system (get coords from Stellarium or Circ du Ciel).

You can add levelling feet, a Telrad finder, right angled finder, low power wide angle eyepiece, low profile focuser, dual speed focuser, dew shield, rear fan, magnetic counterwieghts, levelling feet, secondary dew heater, push to knobs, etc ......

[stevetynant]

and read this thread on the pitfalls of what your contemplating lol

http://stargazerslounge.com/beginners-help-advice/176956-true-cost-beginner-salutory-tale.html

[scogyrd]

That looks quite good how do you fit to the dob base? Does anyone know of any websites or tuts on modding a dob.

I posted this yesterday.

http://stargazerslounge.com/diy-astronomer/177296-lazy-susan-dob-brake.html

[kernowstargazer]

Cheers for the replies that some serious food for thought. Stevet ive read the true cost post and all i can say is . All the mods is something to research and ill have to queue them up first is a dew shield camping mat style, then i want to make the azimuth motion smoother. Flocking the OTA scares the C A R P out of me as it requires dismatling the OTA.

[stevetynant]

Cheers for the replies that some serious food for thought. Stevet ive read the true cost post and all i can say is . All the mods is something to research and ill have to queue them up first is a dew shield camping mat style, then i want to make the azimuth motion smoother. Flocking the OTA scares the C A R P out of me as it requires dismatling the OTA.

I must admit I've pit off Flocking and even Colimating for the same reason but the day is fast approaching

[Tiddles]

Cheap and easy, makes a big improvement - cost = nothing!

http://stargazerslounge.com/discussions-mounts/172222-skyliner-150p-dobsonion-stiction.html

[kernowstargazer]

That sounds a great idea cheers tiddles we drink milk for a past time in our house and recycle bin is always full. Do you have to remove the teflon pad and stack the plastic cd size discs to the same thickness as the original pad or a little taller.

[Tiddles]

I've removed the central teflon washer and stacked several (8 I think) until the action feels right and doesn't rock.

Whilst at it I also used car wax to polish the outer edge of the upper plate where the 3 pads slide.

[kernowstargazer]

Ideal i know what im doing tonight then. what type of wax you use turtle solid or liquid to polish the outer ring.

[Tiddles]

I used some Tcut but I think anything will help. Taking some of the weight off them with the milk cartons has a bigger effect.

[spaceboy]

By far the best mod you can do to the SW dobs is make the pivot bolt fixed. Basically the same as in Scogyrid's link. This stops the lateral play in the AZmovement.

[kernowstargazer]

Now ive got to source some steel to make the blocks does one have to be nylon and one steel or can both be steel. How the hell do you fit the lazy susan bearing as they screw to both surfaces and theres only a small gap or do you leave it free with the ground board and rocker bottom resting on it just using the weight of the scope.

[spaceboy]

One nylon, one aluminium (no worry of rusting) I will try to find the link tothe guide explaining.

[spaceboy]

Sky-Watcher SkyLiner 200 Dobsonian Telescope There you go.

[kernowstargazer]

Nice one your a very helpful chap its good to see as my only experience with my local astro club was not a good one.