Cosmetically challenged Celestron ED80

[Chris]

Well I would say stage one was a success:) even a very small brush didn't look accurate enough to fill these flecks so I used a large wooden tooth pick instead. The pick seemed to hold just the right amount of paint, I would recommend it:)

[jnc71106]

did you manage to get some paint on the scope as well or just the table

[Chris]

luckily the black patches on the cardboard cover are from a previous painting session, I'm trying to remember what it was I painted?

[Chris]

Ah just remembered what it was, it was my home made pier adapter:)

[Chris]

Just placed the following order. these dimensions should also leave plenty spare for other scopes just in case I decide to pimp out my ST80.

**3D Carbon Fibre Vinyl Sheet Wrap Sticker Film** Bubble - Free 0.20mm

Qty:1

£9.99

1520mm x 300mm

[jnc71106]

That should do the job nicely and leave you some for the ST80 which you know your going to do as well

[Chris]

Well its nice to have things matching:)

[Chris]

I got out of work about 6pm this evening and the sky looked crystal clear with no Moon so I rushed back to test out the ED80 for imaging and also to image from my obsy for the very first time as my pier adapter has had a good 6 days now to set in the concrete:)

I got everything on charge ready whilst I wolfed down a pizza but when I looked out again it was thick cloud! checked forecast thick cloud and rain all night! Still, I guess this is what astro DIY is for so I've spent the time covering my scope with carbon wrap instead:D I've taken some pics along the way which might be helpful if anyone else wants to give this a go, I quite enjoyed it myself:)

[jnc71106]

That looks just the job well done, did the washing up liquid trick help ?. Shame about the cloud though

[Luke]

Looks good! Well done.

Hopefully there'll be some clear tonight?

[Chris]

That looks just the job well done, did the washing up liquid trick help ?. Shame about the cloud though

Thank you I'm really pleased with how its turned out, and thanks for your advice:) I used something similar (a baby wipe) to dampen the tube, I think I was also lucky in that it rolled on really straight so I didn't really need to move it about much:)

I'm just looking at other little mods now, I can't do the Astro shed mod to the focuser because thats for a Crayford and mines an R&P, but I have tuned this up a bit. One little mod I've thought of doing is making a little plastic compartment inside the lens cap so I can place a small packet of silicon, I don't want any mould forming on those lovely ED elements:D

[Chris]

Looks good! Well done.

Hopefully there'll be some clear tonight?

Thanks:) should I send the guy I bought it from a picture of how it looks now:D Fingers crossed for some clear skies later:)

[jnc71106]

One little mod I've thought of doing is making a little plastic compartment inside the lens cap so I can place a small packet of silicon, I don't want any mould forming on those lovely ED elements:D

I have done that with my scope. Picked up a small plastic box on eBay that is full of reuseable silicone beads stuck it to the inside of my lens cap

Happy days

[Gina]

I can certainly reccommend the SteelTrack focuser and the SW 0.85x FR/FF