Rattle in my Mak 150

[Sirius Starwatcher]

My Mak 150 has a rattle in the OTA, It's actually a nut from the focuser shoe holding bolt. Don't ask me how this happened, just to say it was an embarrasing operator error.

So now I need to get inside the OTA and refit the focuser shoe. Anyone advise the best way to get into the OTA. Should I remove the front of the scope or enter from the primary mirror end. If so is there anything I should be aware of ie miss alignment of fittings etc on replacing the fittings would it be a difficult diy job or do I need professional help. Thanks for reading.

[nightfisher]

remove the whole front, just 3 hex screws around the edge, put a bit of insulation tape against the tube and corrector housing to get it back together in the same orientation 

[Sirius Starwatcher]

Jules. Your a lifesaver thank you.

[dweller25]

Yes as Jules says - and your collimation will probably not be affected

[Sirius Starwatcher]

Thank you Gentlemen Job done Scope back together and appears to be non the worse for my interference as I managed a couple of hours last night on Mars and Saturn and collimation looked good.

Thanks once again for your advice.

[nightfisher]

Glad it all went well, the main thing is to keep it all super clean when working carefully inside

[tonylumley]

As its all back up and working, can we ask what was the "embarrassing operator error ?" or is it best not to ask?  lol 

[Sirius Starwatcher]

Thought the focuser shoe holding screws were self tappers. Removed shoe to reposition it. Did not realise there were nuts on the inside of the tube. Thanks for asking !!!

[tonylumley]

could save an inquisitive from making the same mistake, thanks ,

 

[Sirius Starwatcher]

31 minutes ago, tonylumley said:

could save an inquisitive from making the same mistake, thanks ,

 

No problem Tony it appears most skywatcher scopes have the same system no matter what type of scope.