Collimation Screw

[Guy Wells]

Hi there.

My collimation was fairly bad. I now notice that one of the screws isnt even attached to anything. It can be pulled out!

I've not had a chance to look in daylight yet... I'm guessing I would need to remove the secondary to resolve the problem?

Any ideas?

Thanks.

[Bioboybill]

I think a few photos might be needed to tell what your problem is, but I definitely wouldn't take the secondary mirror out at this stage. For starters, what scope have you got, where is this screw etc. ?

[Guy Wells]

Hey.

I have a Meade LT6 ACF. The screw is one of the three collimations screws. In the image, it is the one that is about to fall out!

[Peter Drew]

I would tip the front of the telescope downwards as far as possible and then try and re-engage the loose screw. 

[Guy Wells]

The screw will not re-engage!

[michael8554]

Read this description from Bob's Knobs:

http://www.bobsknobs.com/Literature/assets/M6screwinfo2.pdf

It explains how to re-engage the screw, but the concentric spring may have fallen into the interior of the OTA.

In which case you will have to remove the corrector (the glass front of the OTA) to find and reinstall the spring and screw

Hope this helps

Michael

[ChrisLX200]

This happened because you repeatedly collimated by turning the screws anti-clockwise to make an ajustment. Eventually of course you run out of thread!  Screw the other two in (clockwise) to pull the secondary back towards the corrector plate a little, then you should be able to re-engage the third screw. When you've done that  turn ALL the screws inwards all the way until they stop, then you can get collimation by turning the screws outward again. It is good practice to keep the screws turned in as far as possible anyway as this offers the best support for the secondary, otherwise it can end up hanging on the last couple of threads which is not a very stable condition.

ChrisH

[Guy Wells]

Thanks Michael and Chris. I'll let you know how I get on. If I do fix it, I won't get to see the 70mm travel scope, with Atik, atop the NEQ6 anymore

[Guy Wells]

Hey Chris, thanks. That sorted the issue. I would post an image but the site is not allowing me to do so.