Skywatcher dovetail doesn't accept stock mounting screws

[Victor Boesen]

Together with my Skywatcher 72ED I also purchased the skywatcher medium sized dovetail and when I went to try and change the dovetail, the screw included with the stock dovetail doesn't fit the longer one. The longer dovetail doesn't have the same hole for the screw as you can see in the photo(Stock dovetail right, longer left)

Do I have to purchase another dovetail or some other screws?? Help is very much appreciated here:)

Victor

Edited August 17, 2019 by Victor Boesen

[GlenM]

The one you have hold of looks to be a 1/4" 20 TPI, you may need a standard M6 screw. So could be different cap head screws.

 

Glen.

 

 

 

[Victor Boesen]

1 minute ago, GlenM said:

The one you have hold of looks to be a 1/4" 20 TPI, you may need a standard M6 screw. So could be different cap head screws.

 

Glen.

 

 

 

Thanks for the quick response Glen. Should I provide more detailed images with the size of it? And do you know where I could get a hold of them?

Victor

[GlenM]

Not in Denmark, Victor. Over here WDS is the usual place depending which cap heads you want. You could always try FLO of course.

 

Glen.

 

[Victor Boesen]

1 minute ago, GlenM said:

Not in Denmark, Victor. Over here WDS is the usual place depending which cap heads you want. You could always try FLO of course.

 

Glen.

 

I'll try to send them an Email then:) Thanks for the help

[GlenM]

Sorry I couldn't be of more help, but I don't use Skywatcher gear. No doubt someone will be along with more help.

 

Glen.

 

 

[Anthonyexmouth]

you just need longer M6 bolts to make up for the non-countersunk dovetail. Your better option is a slotted dovetail as it gives more adjustment

[Victor Boesen]

7 minutes ago, Anthonyexmouth said:

you just need longer M6 bolts to make up for the non-countersunk dovetail. Your better option is a slotted dovetail as it gives more adjustment

The only problem is the screw head will be protruding not allowing my to slide it onto my mount or am I missing something?

[Anthonyexmouth]

2 minutes ago, Victor Boesen said:

The only problem is the screw head will be protruding not allowing my to slide it onto my mount or am I missing something?

Doesn't need to slide in. Just open the saddle and drop it in. 

[alacant]

14 minutes ago, Anthonyexmouth said:

open the saddle and drop it in

... with the added advantage that  if  when you forget to tighten the saddle, the protruding bolt heads will prevent the whole assembly falling to the ground as you slew the mount 

EDIT: or, if you'd rather slide it in anyway, just keep the existing screws; you'll need to counter-drill using a 9mm bit to match the short one which came with the telescope.

Edited August 17, 2019 by alacant

[Victor Boesen]

6 minutes ago, Anthonyexmouth said:

Doesn't need to slide in. Just open the saddle and drop it in. 

I'll add some photos here. The dovetail is wider than the saddle itself wide open, so that's why I'm confused... Sorry if I'm just really stupid right now not noticing the obvious

[Anthonyexmouth]

Ok, slide the dovetail in then bolt the scope on

[Victor Boesen]

4 minutes ago, Anthonyexmouth said:

Ok, slide the dovetail in then bolt the scope on

Alright guess I'll have to do that:) thanks for the help!

[Victor Boesen]

A final question, would these do the job??

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/dovetails-saddles-clamps/1-4-inch-socket-head-whitworth-bolts-x2-1-inch-long.html

[Anthonyexmouth]

No, should be just M6 bolts. Is it skywatcher rings you're attaching? 

[Victor Boesen]

Just now, Anthonyexmouth said:

No, should be just M6 bolts. Is it skywatcher rings you're attaching? 

Yes, I'll be using it for the Evostar 72. I just figured FLO would have the screws?

[Anthonyexmouth]

Just now, Victor Boesen said:

Yes, I'll be using it for the Evostar 72. I just figured FLO would have the screws?

They probably do. All my skywatcher rings are metric

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F233157007898

[Victor Boesen]

1 minute ago, Anthonyexmouth said:

They probably do. All my skywatcher rings are metric

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F233157007898

Thanks for helping!