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New (old) Scope - TAL 2M


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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 2M

Not 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.

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Cruddy primary mirror

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That's much better

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Cruddy secondary mirror

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Secondary cleaned

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  • 3 weeks later...

OMG what have I done I thought as the paint stripper took hold and started bubbling

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Well 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.

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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.

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Yep, current list of jobs

OTA - powder coat tube, flock, mirror centre spot and install 2" dual speed focuser

Fit red dot finder and replace a many machine screws with hex head stainless versions

8 x 50 TAL focuser - strip, powder coat, flock

Pillar - strip, powder coat and adapt to Skytee 2

New 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.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Finder upgrade now completed

Stripped 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 cleaned

Internals fully flocked (see photos below taken from objective end looking toward the focuser).

Dew shield flocked internally as well.

Before

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After

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The 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.

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  • 1 month later...

Ok so the OTA is now finished

For 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.

Primary

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Spider and secondary

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Flocking

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Focuser and finder

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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)

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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.

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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.

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