Dovetail removal

[meddyliol]

I have got myself in a bit of a mess. I was trying to mount my starwatcher startravel 102 on a Vixen Porta II. I found that my scope dovetail is upside down (the dimples for the screws are in wrong place). Anyway, I tried to unscrew the dovetail and then turn it around. Unfortunately the two screws just keep turning and will not come out. I assumed that there would be a locking nut on the inside of the tube, seems not to be the case. I am now at a loss as to what to do, the screws will not tighten back up either. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Brian

[Peter Drew]

If the internal nut is not captive then once loosened it wont tighten again.  You will need to undo the backplate/focuser assembly and reach in to either remove the nut or tighten it.  Fortunately it's the 102mm so large enough diameter to do this!.     🙂 

[meddyliol]

Thanks for that. Will take it off now! 

Brian

[meddyliol]

Just done it, easy when you know how. Pity they didn't put captive nuts on the inside. Maybe there's a good reason for not doing it. Whew!!

Panic over.

Cheers

Brian

[Peter Drew]

🙂