New TS 8inch Quattro

[Stu Wilson]

Ok so here goes.........

Got the 8 inch version of skywatchers Quattro.

Seems to be the same but apparently better optics focuser added fan etc,

Done all the modifications that the guys on here have said AKA Alicant, and Olly.

Threw springs away, added new ones, )now a 6 spring system instead of 3, coma corrector needs to be the most expensive one, typical lol.

and here is a pic from 1 hours worth of data in 10  min grabs tonight in the horsehead (6x 10 min subs, darks and bias) i have to mention, i was not  going for pic of the century but making sure everything works. And it seems i can see through fine clouds too lol.

Considering its a full moon clouds coming and going im very happy.

 

Stu

Edited January 30, 2021 by Stu Wilson

[tooth_dr]

Great start Stu. You will be hoovering up those photos at a serious rate now 👍🏼👍🏼

[Stu Wilson]

to be fair when i looked outside to take the system down i was actually amazed id captured anything. very hazy sky. Never mind.

[Stu Wilson]

I'll also write up very soon a topic about point of receiving one of these scopes to point of use and as  Olly suggested to me....... unless your skills are in engineering and you have at your disposal a 3D printer steer clear.

I'm nowhere near happy yet.

I will be in the end.

As Olly said..... this setup is NOT plug and play lol.

 

Good comment 🙂

[Stu Wilson]

Tried to process the little data i got again this morning. Still not bad for a full moon.

 

Edited January 31, 2021 by Stu Wilson

[alacant]

12 hours ago, Stu Wilson said:

you have at your disposal a 3D printer

For what do you need a 3d printer? I thought you only replaced the springs and dovetails, no? AFAICT, only a 30 minute job. But do tell otherwise!

Anyway, well done. It looks as though it's gonna produce some great images:)

 

[Stu Wilson]

Just now, alacant said:

For what do you need a 3d printer? I thought you only replaced the springs and dovetails, no? AFAICT, only a 30 minute job. But do tell otherwise!

Anyway, well done. It looks as though it's gonna produce some great images:)

 

I made the plastic thumbscrews etc and a memory sleeve type thing that goes on coma corrector so everything on initial setup is pretty much in correct place.

Im going to mount the guide scope to my aluminium rail later today too, as you suggested.

[ollypenrice]

1 hour ago, alacant said:

For what do you need a 3d printer? I thought you only replaced the springs and dovetails, no? AFAICT, only a 30 minute job. But do tell otherwise!

Anyway, well done. It looks as though it's gonna produce some great images:)

 

I certainly never mentioned a 3D printer either! I scacely know what they are!! 

A few years ago Singlin wrote up a detailed and excellent article on fettling a Quattro. It would be worth finding, I'm sure.

Olly

[Stu Wilson]

4 hours ago, Stu Wilson said:

I made the plastic thumbscrews etc and a memory sleeve type thing that goes on coma corrector so everything on initial setup is pretty much in correct place.

Im going to mount the guide scope to my aluminium rail later today too, as you suggested.

Heres the finder/guider in his new place.

[Stu Wilson]

Forgot to add this last night too.

Focus was pretty easy to do.

And yes Alicant I 3d printed a new mask for both scope and guider lol.

[alacant]

1 hour ago, Stu Wilson said:

guider in his new place

Mmm. Not sure. Ideally it needs bolting directly to the rail: cork or felt padded u- bolts are good. The bracket will allow the guide telescope to wobble. But hey, try it.

Cheers

[Stu Wilson]

Pics not very clear. Its bolted with 2 x bolts directly to the rail. Rock solid. Ie if you put enough force on to move guidescope the mount will lift too.

Edited January 31, 2021 by Stu Wilson

[alacant]

6 minutes ago, Stu Wilson said:

Rock solid

Ah, ok, but I meant rather the guide scope in the sleeve.

 

[Stu Wilson]

Ah right. Wires crossed then.

I'm sure that'll suffice where it is anyway. Certainly better than on ota.

Heres added pic of some of my 3d printed masks for guiders.

[Stu Wilson]

If u want a few f.o.c. of course for your help IM  me where to send them 🙂

[ollypenrice]

Why not put the guide scope on the bracket mounted to the main tube? The main tube carries the mirror and it's ultimately the mirror you're guiding. You're not looking for the stiffest location for the guide scope, you're looking for the one which most accurately replicates the pointing of the mirror.

Olly

[Stu Wilson]

2 minutes ago, ollypenrice said:

Why not put the guide scope on the bracket mounted to the main tube? The main tube carries the mirror and it's ultimately the mirror you're guiding. You're not looking for the stiffest location for the guide scope, you're looking for the one which most accurately replicates the pointing of the mirror.

Olly

Good call. It should do pretty much the same result though from the bracing bar surely.?

[alacant]

17 hours ago, Stu Wilson said:

It should do pretty much the same

If you thicken/reinforce the tube around the clamp so as to spread the load, maybe.  However, with the tube and mirror now being held adequately and unless you really do want to drill and rivet, I'd go for the top rail;)

Cheers

 

 

Edited February 1, 2021 by alacant