Jump to content

NLCbanner2024.jpg.2478be509670e60c2d6efd04834b8b47.jpg

EQ6 and 250 Newt I bought today

Watcher

Recommended Posts

Watcher

Watcher

Posted
Posted

I was getting frustrated with my Skymax 127 mount and was looking for a new sturdy mount. I spotted an auction on eBay for an EQ6 with a Skywatcher 250mm Newtonian included and decided to watch it as, from the listing, it seemed badly described. I got it for £351 and picked it up this morning. 

Vendors were nice people and had apparently bought it for a son but due to light pollution and moving house they were selling. It was telling that the Dad told me he had tried to set it up pointing through their roof skylight. I think they were glad to be rid of it! They had clearly struggled moving it around as they didn't realise you could remove the mount from the tripod.

So now it's home I've had a chance to have a look. The mount seems to be in good condition. Some very minor surface corrosion on parts of the tripod but mount itself is fine with a couple of minor knocks only. The scope also seems to be good. Someone has tinkered with the adjustment knobs for the mirror at the bottom and has lost two of them (anyone got a spare I can buy?) but other than that and a couple of minor surface marks it is in good order too. Also included were some eyepieces (unbranded - can anyone identify them?).

Possibly one of my best eBay purchases. Once I have the mirror fixings sorted and have collimation done I'm looking forward to giving it a try.

 

 

 

image.jpeg

image.jpeg

image.jpeg

image.jpeg

Link to comment
Share on other sites
spaceboy

spaceboy

Posted
Posted

The bolts missing from the scope are collimation knobs. I think you may get replacements from Bob's knobs in the US.

Other than a wipe over I think you have done OK but be careful as you now only have one bolt holding the mirror in place. You may want to check the alt adjust bolt on the back of the EQ6 to make sure this hasn't been bent. Have you had chance to try the motors on the mount yet ??

Link to comment
Share on other sites
spaceboy

spaceboy

Posted
Posted

Nope sorry just checked Bob's knobs and they don't have any collimation knobs that would suit. You could keep an eye on astroboot but if I'm honest unless someone knows of a place that sell alternatives I think your going to struggle getting some. Without them your not going to be able to collimate the scope :(

Link to comment
Share on other sites
alacant

alacant

Posted
Posted

Hi

Great buy. Exactly what I had. It's one of the old non-goto mounts with the black bitumen glue, greaseless bearings and metal swarf. It's a 2 hour job to pull it to bits, clean and regrease it and make it better than new. The mirror bolts are standard M5 thread. You'd need to remove the mirror to get at the bolts, replace them with longer ones so they protrude and then you can use a washer and wingnuts to tighten against the springs. Use thin rubber tube around the bit that protrudes; you'll notice that the holes are larger than the M5 bolt. HTH.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Watcher

Watcher

Posted
  • Author
Posted
29 minutes ago, alacant said:

Hi

Great buy. Exactly what I had. It's one of the old non-goto mounts with the black bitumen glue, greaseless bearings and metal swarf. It's a 2 hour job to pull it to bits, clean and regrease it and make it better than new. The mirror bolts are standard M5 thread. You'd need to remove the mirror to get at the bolts, replace them with longer ones so they protrude and then you can use a washer and wingnuts to tighten against the springs. Use thin rubber tube around the bit that protrudes; you'll notice that the holes are larger than the M5 bolt. HTH.

Brilliant, thanks. I've put a couple of nuts to clamp the mirror in to prevent any mishaps. Longer bolts is a great idea! I was looking on eBay too as plenty of knurled thumb nuts on there for a couple of quid. Alt adjust knobs are fine (it was set to 10 degrees).

I'm testing the motors at the moment. There's whirring but no movement yet so tonight it might be a strip down to have a look. 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Watcher

Watcher

Posted
  • Author
Posted
11 minutes ago, spaceboy said:

If you remove these screws image_thumb_jpeg_c79c61a583a7831a9dd54fcc7d57068e.jpg you will be able to see if the gears are turning.

Great tip, thanks. Bottom screw hole (RA) I can see going round. DEC doesn't look like it is but when I press the buttons on the controller it's clear it is.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
alacant

alacant

Posted
Posted
37 minutes ago, Watcher said:

There's whirring but no movement

Even on its fastest -I think 16x- it's too slow to see. HTH.

edit: no, hang on. You may be able to see it rotating against the setting circle if you leave the clutch loose...

Link to comment
Share on other sites
alacant

alacant

Posted
Posted
27 minutes ago, Watcher said:

Bottom screw hole (RA) I can see going round. DEC doesn't look like it is but when I press the buttons on the controller it's clear it is.

That's right. The dec only moves when told. I suppose because it doesn't need to track.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Watcher

Watcher

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks for the tips everyone. Took the mirror out and bolts are indeed M5 countersunk screws. I've ordered replacements in several lengths as while they need to be longer I don't want them protruding at the bottom so I can't stand the scope up. I've also ordered some knurled knob things and wingnuts so I can have a play to find the right configuration. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Watcher

Watcher

Posted
  • Author
Posted
7 hours ago, spaceboy said:

How did you get on in the end with the replacement collimation bolts?

Fine. Bought some stainless countersunk hex bolts from eBay and some matching knurled knobs. Cost me about £10 in total as I bought a few different lengths of screw to see which fitted best. They all arrived yesterday so I have put it all back together and I am learning collimation as I have never tried before. 

I rebuilt my 7ah Powertank yesterday too (replacement battery £11) so if the cloud ever breaks I might get to try it all out.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 2 weeks later...
Watcher

Watcher

Posted
  • Author
Posted

First attempt at replacing the collimation knobs failed as I bought the wrong diameter hex bolts. Now rectified. All I needed was 3 40mm countersunk M6 bolts (£1.49 for 5 stainless steel ones), 3 6mm x 25mm washers (£1.49 for 10), 3 nylon washers (£1.49 for 10) and 3 stainless steel 6mm "thumb nuts" which were £4.99 for 5. All bought from eBay and prices included postage. The knobs aren't an exact match for the originals, hence I used longer bolts and the washers to make things run smoothly but they do work really well. 

image.jpeg

Link to comment
Share on other sites
alacant

alacant

Posted
Posted
11 hours ago, Watcher said:

diameter

Hi. Sorry, that's my fault. I said m5. Over here, hardware stores are enormous Chinese import affairs where due to low prices you get the feeling that you may as well get every size they stock whilst you are there just in case you'll need it. I should have checked.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.