Help modding WO focuser for ED80.

[Spikey]

I have recently replaced the stock dual speed crayford focuser on my SW ED80 for one fo the earlier WO models.

The WO doesn't have locking rings or a thread on the draw tube (that I can find) which leaves me with a slight problem trying to make a sturdy connection.

I do have an adapter for my focal reducer which allows insertion into the 2" EP holder but this only has one tightening screw and a small grub screw to hold things in place and it's not adequate.

Would drilling & tapping some new holes for holding screws (at least 3) be a good solution?

To be honest I might even go back to the stock focuser, at least it had threads to screw the FR to.

[jgs001]

Simon, not sure on the fittings, but would one of http://www.firstlightoptics.com/adaptors/flo-adapter-for-skywatcher-focal-reducers.html be of any help ??

[Stephen]

Simon, not sure on the fittings, but would one of http://www.firstligh...l-reducers.html be of any help ??

That's what I use with mine

[Spikey]

Thanks both, yes I have one of those on the FR. Trouble is it's now wobbly in the focuser tube due to lack of grip around it.

[Stephen]

Thanks both, yes I have one of those on the FR. Trouble is it's now wobbly in the focuser tube due to lack of grip around it.

*cough*better focuser*cough*

[Spikey]

*cough*better focuser*cough*

Shame really the WO is a much better made piece of kit but it looks like it will be much better at visual and not hanging a load of stuff off the end.

How does your moonlite grip the tube?

[Stephen]

My moonlite has three screws, a compression ring, and I opted for the draw tube with the compression ring further down the tube (so it grips the 2" part, not the undercut) ....

It's tighter than a very tight thing gripping tightly

[Spikey]

Yeh yeh rub it in.....mines floppier than a floppy thing in the wind.

Any particular reason why you didn't go with the steeltrack in the end ?

[Stephen]

Yeh yeh rub it in.....mines floppier than a floppy thing in the wind.

Any particular reason why you didn't go with the steeltrack in the end ?

Personal opinion is the Moonlite is the better engineered focuser ...

but as of recently, the cost of Steeltrack + Steeldrive against Moonlite + Hi Res Stepper Motor .... is far too close with the Baader price increases to warrant it as "saving" anything.

(Edit) Off the top of my head, I think my Moonlite option was actually cheaper than a Steeltrack/Steeldrive combo?!

My set up can virtually run itself once I've got it all outside, auto focus to rediculous accuracy is awesome

[Spikey]

I think the stock one is heading back on imminently

[Gina]

I find my stock focuser with SW FR/FF, adapter ring and 1100D camera setup to be very rigid - very much better than with the camera straight on the draw tube with SW's adapters. I was going to replace my stock focuser with the SteelTrack but having stripped down the stock focuser and adjusted it, I find it's very much better and even handles my cooling modded 1100D with all the extra bits and plastic box. I set up focus on a bright star with Bahtinov mask then lock the focus and it stays put for hours of imaging session. (Not that I've done much in the last couple of months!)

[Spikey]

To be honest I'm not unhappy with the stock focuser but I'm building a USB controlled autofocuser and fancied a sturdier crayford to plonk it all on.

I've got a FR,SX filterwheel and 16HR hanging off the stock one and it has slipped a couple of times meaning I have to get underneath and tighten it all up.

It's not been so bad since I stripped the focuser and tightened it all up.

[Leo.A]

I fitted a WO focuser to my old modded (custom) 80mm Tasco and though my tube didn't have the screw thread like your tube, I found that I couldn't purchase a suitable adaptor and had one machined instead. It was the much sturdier option.