Couple more mods to the ALT/AZ

[geppetto]

Made some washers from 3mm teflon sheet for all of the "rubbing" surfaces

on the shaft of the ALT/AZ. Now a very very smooth operator 8)

Did an accurate setup of the AZ scale using Arcturus the other night and then

put in a metal peg down to the mount head.

This means that there is now no setting up to do, I just drop the ALT/AZ on the

main mount head positioned by the peg and away it goes...

Also, got two 10mm red LEDs from Maplin and araldited them onto the mount

so that they glow onto the two scales.

Powered them by two AA batteries in a switched battery box.

The mount also works well holding my 130mm F5 Newt so it's a great asset

to the Geppetto Towers collection of weird wooden gadjets

Fingers crossed for tonight for a look round...

[zhgutas]

Blimey Phil, you are a wood genius! looks very nice and reliable.

[jonifive]

Exceptional stuff Phil....wish I had more time to play in the workshop like you. I am struggling to get my hardwood french doors finished at the moment so no chance to make astro projects. I am genuinely impressed by your woodworking endeavours.

When did you get the red dot finder? and is it any good?

Keep it up my friend.

Jonathen

[geppetto]

Cheers guys

JF

AS you've noticed I don't care about looks and finish on these projects

it's them working right that gives me the pleasure

The finder is a standard cheapy plastic one. I cut a bit off the shaped neck that

holds the finder to give me a place to drill a hole for the 5mm screw that fits in

the scope's body.

Works well and is about £50 cheaper than the proper one 8)

It's similar to the one Steve sells...

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/proddetail.php?prod=bskysurfer3

[jonifive]

Phil.............You drilled a hole in your beautiful telescope!!!!! :shock:

I don't think I could do that....

To be honest the views through the 66 are so wide I haven't needed a finder yet.

Still much respect for the design of the mount, and the other mods.

Jonathen

[Kaptain Klevtsov]

JV, I think the hole is in the finder to line up with a screw that was already in the 'scope. Well at least I hope so!

Kaptain Klevtsov

[Astroman]

The red LED's are a great help. I did the same thing with my C8 a long time ago. I had mine on a timer, though. Push a button, they go on for 30 secs and turn off automatically. Saves battery.

[geppetto]

I think the hole is in the finder to line up with a screw that was already in the 'scope. Well at least I hope so!

Correct KK..

No, I wouldn't drill the scope JF, if you look carefully, there is a 5 mm screw already in there

[geppetto]

I had mine on a timer, though

Great idea AM 8)

[Astroman]

I had mine on a timer, though

Great idea AM 8)

I have my moments...

[geppetto]

Lights are just right but the predicted clear sky is wall to wall cloud...

[lunator]

Great work Phil

Same here weather wise supposed to be clear but it's raining..............................

[jonifive]

I wouldn't drill the scope JF, if you look carefully, there is a 5 mm screw already in there

PHEWWWW! I was getting worried!

JV

[geppetto]

Picture of the mount with 130 F5 on top in perfect balance...

Very accurate setup for comet chasing 8)

[tom.yates]

First class mate