How much force needed to rotate Skywatcher dob mount?

[JonS]

I've just got a Skywatcher 200P dob, drawing heavily on comments and feedback here as my first scope.

I took it along to my local AS this week and the main comment was that it seemed very stiff to rotate the mount on its azimuth.

Is this normal for this mount? I've actually found the most accurate way to rotate it has been to use the tensioner/handle on the mount rather than to try and push/pull the scope as the scope moves very easily up and down and is far more likely to do this when I'm trying to rotate it if I try and push the eyepiece.

Thanks in advance.

Jonathan

[Cornelius Varley]

The stiffness doesn't sound right. If you watch this

you might be able to compare your mount with the mounts in the review. there is supposed to be some teflon pads between the two parts on the base, check that these are in place.

peter

[JonS]

Hi Peter, thanks for that video. My mount does seem to be significantly stiffer than those in the video. The 4 pads are present. I've also taken a look at the bold holding the 2 plates together just now and this isn't overly tight so isn't the cause.

[Moonshane]

check that the nails holding the pads in place are not protruding. tap them in with a blunt nail if they are. take the opportunity to wax the underside of the rocker box while you are at it.

[Moonshane]

ps the central bolt should be only a little more than hand tight and a small turn makes a big difference to 'stiffness'