Swollen SW Dob base! Ideas?

[Paul73]

Hi guys

I noticed that the motion of my 250mm SkyWatcher dob has been getting increasingly jerky of late. The other day this became near seized! On investigation, I discovered that the circular base (top/moving part) has swollen by about 8mm!

Has anyone got any neat ways to resolve this?

Paul

[scarp15]

Use the circular base as a template and remake out of 18mm gauge Birch Pine. 

[Tinker1947]

Would seem to have gotten a bit damp, thereby making the chipboard expand, as Scap15 types for the cure....

[Paul73]

Yes. Remaking is probably the only realistic "non bodge" option.

I was toying with the idea of sealing it thoroughly. Then adding varying thickness Teflon pads to even things up.

Paul