Skywatcher pillar for AZ EQ6,

[Moorefam]

I bought this pillar a week ago but the Az EQ6 mount keeps working loose with respect to the adaptor plate. It came with no instructions. I assume I have to tighten the knob underneath (which acts through a roller bearing) enough for rigidity, but not so tight that Az adjustment cannot be made. A complication is that the short post gripped by the 2 opposing Az adjusting knobs is too long and prevents the 2 rotating surfaces from mating flush with each other. I could always file it down 0.5mm. How do other users prevent the mount working loose on the pillar? The 3 retaining screws hold the adaptor piece in place well enough though and otherwise the pillar is very sturdy. This is my first post here by the way. 

[CraigT82]

9 hours ago, Moorefam said:

I bought this pillar a week ago but the Az EQ6 mount keeps working loose with respect to the adaptor plate. It came with no instructions. I assume I have to tighten the knob underneath (which acts through a roller bearing) enough for rigidity, but not so tight that Az adjustment cannot be made. A complication is that the short post gripped by the 2 opposing Az adjusting knobs is too long and prevents the 2 rotating surfaces from mating flush with each other. I could always file it down 0.5mm. How do other users prevent the mount working loose on the pillar? The 3 retaining screws hold the adaptor piece in place well enough though and otherwise the pillar is very sturdy. This is my first post here by the way. 

Welcome to the forum! I have this pillar tripod for my EQ6 and I had the same problem with the mount coming loose as I rolled it back and forth over my drive. I used the have the hand knob just nipped up, but found that actually if I really tightened the hand know down I could still do the Az adjustments (just) and it didn't come loose any more. I did sand down the interface between mount and adapter plate to allow them to slide a little easier. 

Not sure on the Az pin, mine fits fine. If it were mine and it is preventing a good flat contact between mount and adapter then I would definitely file it down as it would prevent the Az adjustements working properly I would have thought? 

[Moorefam]

Thanks for replying. I have used PTFE tape on the thread to stiffen things up and make the knob less lighten to loosen. I will try that. I don't know why they didn't use a threaded rod touching the mount and at the other end us 2 lock nuts instead of the knob. I am asking the supplier if I can file down the excess on the post so that the rotating surface are flush and still send it back if everything doesn't work out.