Converting 8” Solar Filter to 6”

[AMcD]

Having sold my Celestron Celestar 8 I wanted to keep using my 8” Thousand Oaks 2+ solar filter on the TS152.  For obvious reasons, I also wanted to make sure I can use it safely. This meant ensuring an 8” filter can fixed securely to the front of a 6” scope.  So, I carried out the following modifications...

The idea was to ensure that the filter could be held securely with a three point fixing system on the rim of the filter.

As the rim is aluminium I began by drilling three guide holes before drilling out step by step to the required size for tapping (a 5mm hole for an M6 tapping bit).

I then tapped each hole with an M6 x 075 tapping bit.

I then inserted in each hole an M6 diameter knob.

On the end of the knobs I put a silicone cap to ensure that the knobs did not damage the telescope dew shield.

This gave me a solar filter with a three point fixing system.

This allows me to mount the 8” filter very securely, and therefore safely, on my 6” telescope.