The ED 66 Project

[Stub Mandrel]

1 minute ago, Gina said:

there's no need for a built-in ball

But making that was the most satisfying bit of the whole project...

[Stub Mandrel]

Confession - sometimes when faced with a tricky new process, I start procrastinating unless something gives me a kick to get started.

So it is with anodising!

Well, I now have everything together and yesterday I cast two big lead anodes, basically long strips about 1/8" thick and 2" wide.

Only thing left is a power supply - my battery charger died leaving me with a smart one from Lidl's that isn't going to be suitable as a power source. I have at least two, if not three, transformers out of failed cheap chargers(!) but I couldn't find them over the weekend and now I have to do some work ?

Anyway, I've got a skip coming tomorrow for some decluttering (after 55 years accumulating junk, I might as well get rid of some!) Hopefully at least one transformer will turn up. Then I will do a test piece or two and start on the scope.

Yesterday I did some tidying up of the focus knobs and used fine wet and dry to give a fine-grained finish to some parts. Just a few simple bits left to do, like vents in the back of one focus knob (mine's going to have temperature AND humidity - eat that WO!)

I've also ordered some teflon rod as I'm not happy with the nylon pad in the crayford - the bit of teflon I used in the 3D printed scope has a much easier action.

[timwetherell]

What a superb job you're making of that! looking forward to seeing the finished scope

[RT65CB-SWL]

I have just seen this post. I salute you sir on a fine instrument you are building. Looking forward to seeing the completed 'scope and firstlight report. 

[Stub Mandrel]

Not a particularly brilliant picture, but you can get the idea:

[Stub Mandrel]

First attempt at anodising, on a very rough and ready dovetail clamp. Judge the colour only!

The black bits are aluminium welding rod I used to fill in a hole.

[Gina]

Very pretty

[Stub Mandrel]

I tried anodising the three knobs together, assuming it would give me a more even finish. In fact one came out under-anodised, so I had to strip it and re-anodise to match the others, which wasn't hard as the die uptake takes 20-30 minutes to reach the deeper colour I want.

The high humidity is because the knob hadn't fully dried inside after being boiled!

The problem now is I feel like I've set the bar high, can I match this for the rest of the scope?

[JamesF]

This is looking lovely so far.  I look forward to seeing the rest as it progresses.

James

[Stub Mandrel]

48 minutes ago, JamesF said:

This is looking lovely so far.  I look forward to seeing the rest as it progresses.

James

Thanks James, hopefully not long now, just a few days!

[Stub Mandrel]

Slide-back Dew Shield. Beats my manky bit of camp-mat for the 130P-DS ?

[Stu]

Wow, looks fabulous Neil.

[JamesF]

Retractable dew shields are very cool.  And exceptionally handy for travelling.

James

[Stub Mandrel]

It's nice, the lens cell has a felt wiper around the outside so I bored the dewshield to fit over it. On end has a very broad lip with a recess for a ring of felt to slide along the main tube. The gold ring is just bling, but I have to work out a way of holding it in place.

[Gina]

1 hour ago, Stub Mandrel said:

Slide-back Dew Shield. Beats my manky bit of camp-mat for the 130P-DS ?

That's a very fine bit of printing! ??

[RichLD]

Just picked up on this thread Neil - fantastic job, well done sir! ?

[Stub Mandrel]

I have to go to the Range tomorrow, to find a tub long enough to fit the OTA but narrow enough I can submerge it in the die/caustic soda!

The annoying bit is I need to make one more part - the eyepiece retaining ring. The one I made is a bit short (about 4.5mm!) I could use a Skywatcher one but they are hard black anodised (and very shiny) My colour scheme demands a gold one!

I could strip a skywatcher one and anodise it gold, but that would be cheating!

[JamesF]

Could you do it vertically?  Might be easier to find something tall rather than long?

James

[Stub Mandrel]

16 minutes ago, JamesF said:

Could you do it vertically?  Might be easier to find something tall rather than long?

James

That's how I've done the dewshield and focus tube ?

I might try a spaghetti holder!

[JamesF]

Or even something like this?  https://www.amazon.co.uk/mDesign-Free-Standing-Toilet-Holder/dp/B01LWIU5EN/

Diameter might be a bit excessive, perhaps.

James

[newbie alert]

On 28/08/2018 at 11:37, Stub Mandrel said:

So it is with anodising!

Well, I now have everything together and yesterday I cast two big lead anodes, basically long strips about 1/8" thick and 2" wide.

Your anodising obviously worked but i had in my head that the anode would of had to be either aluminium or titainium?

Superb machining skills and a project that many wouldn't attempt..keep us updated..

 

[Stub Mandrel]

32 minutes ago, newbie alert said:

Your anodising obviously worked but i had in my head that the anode would of had to be either aluminium or titainium?

Superb machining skills and a project that many wouldn't attempt..keep us updated..

 

Oops.... lead cathodes!

Titanium 'wire' actually rod for connecting to the parts.

[kbrown]

Can I have your workshop, please? :D

Great job so far! Wish I had a proper place to do my work in. My flat is becoming increasingly inhabitable with my projects

[Stub Mandrel]

Find your nearest maker place or men's shed!

[Adam J]

Really nice to see this, you see so many projects that never get finished I can see that is not going to be the case here, really looking nice so far.