Can Anyone Help Please?

[Concretedan]

Hello all,

I am looking for some help if possible please? I have a very old Meade SCT which I am planning on giving to my nephew's as an introduction to astronomy (they're not getting my Starwave & EQ6R though!).  The problem is that during a good dusting off and clean up I have overtightened the RA screw on the mount and sheered off the cast metal clamp that locks the RA.  I don't know the name for this part but when I opened the bottom of the mount and removed the black metal plate it looks sort of like a bare metal (perhaps aluminium?) mini tripod with a screw thread at the top which the RA bolt screws into to pull the clamp up against what looks like a disc (could be the gears?). I've tried JB Weld but as the force is linear on this clamp and not rotary it pulled apart when I tried to tighten the RA plastic screwcap thing (clear as mud I know! Apologies).  Has anyone else had this problem or know what the cast metal part is called? Whether I can get a spare? Ideas on a repair?  All suggestions gratefully received as I've run out!

Thank you and keep safe,

Dan

[AstroMuni]

Pics would help others to understand your problem Concretedan

[geoflewis]

Have you tried Steve Collingwood at SCTelescopes? https://sctelescopes.com

[michael8554]

That was never a replacement part, hopefully Steve has an old donor mount he can raid.

Michael

[Davey-T]

I think Steve has pretty much given up scope repairs.

As said pictures would help.

Dave

[Concretedan]

Hi All,

Thanks for your comments so far.  I wanted to avoid any specialist repairs as it's going to my nephew's and they will likely destroy the scope after a while so I don't want to spend loads of money getting this part repaired although it would be a shame for them not to have use of the goto and tracking functions.  As you can see the top threaded part has broken off.  I have tried to pin this together and use JB Weld (hence why it doesn't look great) but as the force is linear it just pulled apart when I tightened the RA screw cap.  If anyone has any ideas I would be most grateful.

Thanks,

Dan

[Nigella Bryant]

Iron monger might make up a new part, my iron monger has made iron plate's for me to my design.

[michael8554]

The image has helped a lot.

Take it to a Welder.

Michael

[Robert Hayes]

Pop to a welder.  Should be able to braze it together. 

[TerryMcK]

Not so sure that can be welded. It looks like cast aluminium to me but the photo isn’t in focus at the break.

Do as has been suggested take it to a welder or fabrication shop to see if it can be repaired. They may be able to recommend an alternative method of repair.

[Davey-T]

Doesn't look beyond repair, maybe you can tap the holes you've made and bolt it together, cast ally doesn't weld very easily, is there a enough room to fit straps to the sides over the breaks to strengthen it in fact you could bend them over the top and bolt down through them.

There are probably more suitable adhesive as well.

Dave

[Concretedan]

Thanks for all your suggestions.

A fellow astronomer friend has suggested the tap method as well so I will try this first.  There isn't enough space within the recess under the mount to fit strapping to the clamp.  It is cast aluminium so won't be easy to weld (though not impossible) and, to be honest, as it's going to a home where it won't last long (but may spawn a life long interest), I wanted a cheapish homemade solution if possible.

Thanks again all.

Dan

Edited July 9, 2020 by Concretedan

[Regular Nebula]

Hi Dan, 

I have the same problem, I overtigtened the RA Cone, its rendered the scope useless for years,  - did you find a solution ? , 

Someone i know has suggested 3D Priniting it? 

Paul