moriniboy Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 With the idea that if you can't look through them you might as well fix them I have just collected my new (old) scope - a TAL 2MNot really fussed about the TAL mount at the moment so I will get a long dovetail and use it on my Skytee 2.Needs a bit of TLC as the photos show, so I'm going to make it my pet project over the next few months and hopefully have it ready for when the clouds break lol.I plan to clean the primary and seconary tonight as a quick view at some trees out back shows that whilst the crud is not immediatly visible it is losing a lot of contrast.Cruddy primary mirrorThat's much betterCruddy secondary mirrorSecondary cleaned Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crunchard Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 Some nice mirror cleaning I hope you don't have as much "fun" as I did collimating my TAL150P! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moriniboy Posted July 6, 2012 Author Share Posted July 6, 2012 Just checked the collimation and its way out, so far out in fact that I'm not even going to attempt it tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Nordstrom Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 What a cool scope ! , these were never released down here in Australia , i have never seen one anyway .Look forward to a report when it complete .Brian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicnac Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 nice great job on the clean up too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moriniboy Posted July 27, 2012 Author Share Posted July 27, 2012 OMG what have I done I thought as the paint stripper took hold and started bubblingWell too late to turn back I thought so on I plodded, the final result is a scruffy looking tube which will need some TLC before being sent to the powder coaters.The reason for this drastic step was I noticed some aluminium rot underneath the original paint and as this scope is going to be a keeper I decided to treat the problem early before it gets any worse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hex Posted July 28, 2012 Share Posted July 28, 2012 Brave man...respect Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hex Posted July 28, 2012 Share Posted July 28, 2012 I take it you're going to go the whole way and flock it too? Powder coat paint job perhaps? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moriniboy Posted July 28, 2012 Author Share Posted July 28, 2012 Yep, current list of jobsOTA - powder coat tube, flock, mirror centre spot and install 2" dual speed focuserFit red dot finder and replace a many machine screws with hex head stainless versions8 x 50 TAL focuser - strip, powder coat, flockPillar - strip, powder coat and adapt to Skytee 2New wooden box for OTA and finder, theres nothing wrong with the original TAL one its just a tad too big for the available space in my garage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hex Posted July 28, 2012 Share Posted July 28, 2012 Ace, looking forward to seeing the finished scope, and it will be very much your scope when you're done too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightfisher Posted July 29, 2012 Share Posted July 29, 2012 good luck with the tal project, i did one ota, a towa 339 f15, had it repainted in mercedes white, very tidy job Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eigen Posted July 29, 2012 Share Posted July 29, 2012 Looks like a great project, please keep the thread updated. I'm a fan of TAL and their no non-sense approach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hex Posted July 29, 2012 Share Posted July 29, 2012 I'm a fan of TAL and their no non-sense approach.Indeed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sodejm Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 This looks like an awesome project. Please keep us updated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crunchard Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 Just out of interest, roughly how much is the powder coating likely to cost?I only ask as my TAL150 needs a spruce up, and I was going to rub down and spray myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moriniboy Posted August 19, 2012 Author Share Posted August 19, 2012 Finder upgrade now completedStripped and cleaned the focuser end optics fully, it comprised 2 x lenses, 2 x spacers and a cross hair element.Removed original grease from focuser thread and replaced with a less viscous grease, it now moves very smoothly.Objective lens removed and cleanedInternals fully flocked (see photos below taken from objective end looking toward the focuser).Dew shield flocked internally as well.BeforeAfterThe outer white circle is the end of the white OTA, needless to say its now been painted black as well.Have decided not to powder coat the tube. I was advised that as the powder coating is a thicker finish than the original it may not allow the 2 x external black finder mounting rings to be re-used so it was a non starter.Just been out for a quick 10 minutes to check all is well and despite the low lying misty conditions, M31 and the double double cluster near to Cassiopeia were easily located, overall a worthwhile upgrade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moriniboy Posted September 29, 2012 Author Share Posted September 29, 2012 Ok so the OTA is now finishedFor info the powder coat colour is RAL9010 with 30% gloss and it is a very good match to the finder which is still the original paint.Focuser is a Skywatcher low profile on a TS newtonian focuser base (160 to 205mm tubes)Currently fabricating a base for a red dot finder shoe so I can swap to the TAL 8 x 50 finder and back again easily.Replaced all main fastenings with stainless allen ones.Just need to centre spot the primary, collimate and star test, fingers crossed.Very pleased with the outcome, just the pier converting to a Skytee 2 to go now.PrimarySpider and secondaryFlockingFocuser and finder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightfisher Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 You have done the old tal proud, she looks sweet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allcart Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 Hey great jobhat was the scope I first wanted when I took an interest in astronomy a few years back. I ended up with the same scope as in your sig. ( I've still got it now ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sloz1664 Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 Excellent work on the old gal. For a 6" mirror the views are amazing.Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyH Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 Lovely job, MB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moriniboy Posted October 4, 2012 Author Share Posted October 4, 2012 Just out of interest, roughly how much is the powder coating likely to cost?I only ask as my TAL150 needs a spruce up, and I was going to rub down and spray myself.For info the OTA tube and white mount pillar cost £35 to powder coat (I did the paint stripping and prep beforehand) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eigen Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 Splendid job! Really nice to see the scope get a second life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musherrob Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 Hi Folks,Back after an 18 month layup ! Tal 2 must need collminating but did not seem to get it smack on using a laser collminator on the last set-up.So.....is there a more reliable one you could reccomend ? ta all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeB Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 Love doing old scopes up, did a smaller tal last year, its a great little scope, i went for the red paint job, I know its not politically correct but couldn't resist. Did a carton refractor and about to overhaul the 7.5 inch newt on the sig. Also got an old 60mm frac in need of tlc. Would love to do a really old one next , or a steampunk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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