8" Spider replacement - advise

[PKondalu]

I took the risk of buying a telescope from someone nearby on craigslist. The risk did not work. 

My story so far: The Telescope is a 8" Meade Newtonian telescope. The issue with this telescope was dust on primary and secondary mirrors, and one end of the spider was not fixed tight. First, I removed the secondary and primary assembly, cleaned the mirrors. When I was putting the secondary back, I realized that the bolts that support the spider vanes are very brittle as one of them had broken while tightening the nut. After a DIY hack of fixing the spider, I tried to adjust the secondary  (using youtube tutorials). The disc that was holding the secondary mirror had broken (it was also brittle). When I tried to separate the secondary from the spider, the piece holding the spider vanes at the center had also broken. 

Now, I need a new spider and a secondary holder. Tried contacting Astromaster but, did not get a response. 

Do you think I should spend time in getting a spider and secondary holder for this telescope? If yes, what's your suggestion of a source. I've also seen DIY spider projects. Do you think I should try a DIY spider. Where should I start (homedepot?)?

-PK

 

 

[Shelster1973]

I replaced my standard spider with a twin vane carbon fibre jobbie that I got off eBay iirc. 

Have had no issues with it and was nice and cheap... £22 

I would give it a go and see what happens. If the secondary is still fine then all should be ok

[Shelster1973]

Here is what I bought

Spider

It does appear to have gone up in price since I bought it though....

[PKondalu]

Thank you for a quick response. 

There is one more being sold on ebay : http://www.ebay.com/itm/1800DESTINY-Straight-Vane-Thread-Rod-Telescope-Spider-5-TO-12-INCHES-/272464250080?var=&hash=item3f702284e0:m:mxj0Mb1xMbRfvYlsF_NxzZw

Do you think the screw type rod would cause any issues with the image?

[Shelster1973]

It would depend on the diameter of the rods as that will change the size of the diffraction pattern

With there being three you would also get a different diffraction pattern from the bright stars as opposed to the standard 4 vane spider

Plus, with going with three you would need to drill extra holes in your scope ad they will be in different places

[onlyme]

try this Teleskop-Express.

And this.

Email them before you order to confirm it is the right everything for your particular model, they are very friendly and knowledgeable.