Skywatcher weights

[wookie1965]

Can someone tell me what the bolt size is on the skywatcher weights please I dropped mine last night and smashed the knob off thanks.

[Knighty2112]

Ones on the weights I use on my Skytee 2 mount are M8 and length of bolt up to bottom of plastic handle 55mm, although the thread is only on the last half of that 55mm bolt shaft.

 

[johninderby]

The bolts are M8 and the most common lengths are 55mm and 75mm depending on the diameter of the weights of course. Replacements can be ridiculously overpriced though.

[wookie1965]

Here is mine not sure whether it is M8 but it looks to be 80mm long.

[johninderby]

Think the 75mm should  be fine as when they say 75mm there is a couple of mm extra for the bolt shoulder at the top. How much does the bolt stick out of the weight?

https://www.astroshop.eu/other-spare-parts/omegon-m8x75-screw-for-eq-6-counterweight/p,51421#tab_bar_1_select

[wookie1965]

To the shoulder 10mm with the end just on the inside surface.

 

[johninderby]

The 75 will be fine then as expected.

Bought one of the bolts recently and found Astroshop was the cheapest of those that actually had stock.

[wookie1965]

With delivery £10.30 for a bolt expensive and yes that is the cheapest I have seen. 

Thank you for your help much appreciated.

[david_taurus83]

Can't you just glue a top onto it anyway? They don't need to be tightened up much anyway.

[wookie1965]

I was thinking that going measure the top now see if I can find some king of knob to fit it. Anyone got any ideas where I could get one from.

[Knighty2112]

Gorilla glue and a new plastic knob of a similar size should work OK.  

[wookie1965]

Finding a similar knob thats hard searching Ebay now needle in haystack

[johninderby]

Where I buy knobs, handles etc. Not sure if it will be worth it for just one knob though.

http://www.wdsltd.co.uk/categories/65/hand-knobs-thumb-screws/

[wookie1965]

2 minutes ago, johninderby said:

Where I buy knobs, handles etc. Not sure if it will be worth it for just one knob though.

http://www.wdsltd.co.uk/categories/65/hand-knobs-thumb-screws/

Cheers I will check now.

 

[david_taurus83]

£1.29?!

 

What's the distance from inner face to outer face on the weight?

[johninderby]

Only problem with those fully threaded knobs is that the hole in the counterweight isn’t usualy threaded all the way through.(look at the bolt photos above) so you would have to thread the hole fully first or remove part of the thread on the bolt in a lathe.

[david_taurus83]

3 minutes ago, johninderby said:

Only problem with those fully threaded knobs is that the hole in the counterweight isn’t usualy threaded all the way through.(look at the bolt photos above) so you would have to thread the hole fully first or remove part of the thread on the bolt in a lathe.

Ahh yes, I see what you mean now. Good point.

[david_taurus83]

What's the diameter of the grip that the knob sits on? Could find something and drill the centre through same diameter and glue into place? M10 nut?

[Stub Mandrel]

I could 3d print you a knob, if you let me know the diameter across the knurls so I can make it a 'hammer on' fit.

[johninderby]

There might be a simpler solution. Cut the plain part of the bolt off and put it in the hole and and then use a readily available threaded bolt/knob to push down on the plain bit. The threaded bolt would stop the plain bit from falling out when not in use. 

[wookie1965]

That would be very good of you I would reimburse you of course for postage and materials. Here is the diameter you will know it's right.

[Stub Mandrel]

Cost is negligible, pm me your address (Care of the Cantina Bar, Tattooine?) and if it works chuck something in a charity box.

I can do PETG which is stronger but white, woudl taht be OK, PETG is black, but more brittle which may not be a good idea...

[Stub Mandrel]

Printing one of these now... Designed in Alibre Atom3D, which I ought to credit as I've been given a free copy!

[Stub Mandrel]

I'm going to do a couple with different size bores, just in case...

[Knighty2112]

7 minutes ago, Stub Mandrel said:

I'm going to do a couple with different size bores, just in case...

 Now that’s what I call service! Excellent!