Is this mounting method correct?

[dazzystar]

Hi All,

I'm trying to figure out a way of mounting my Stellere Hiper 80 refractor on to two Skywatcher rings then on to my EQ3 Pro saddle. Below is an image off a YouTube video where one guy shows how to do it. Is this correct first of all?

 

Next, is an image of the parts I have. The reason why I'm asking is that in my mind the most amount of metal for the ring to sit on would mean the dovetail would be upside down and therefore wouldn't fit in the saddle of my EQ3. Could some kind person or persons advise on the 'correct' method of mounting these rings please?

[fozzybear]

Your first image what is the U shaped black bracket for? as per the dovetail rails you would mount the tube rings onto the dovetail rail as per pic 2 long bar upper one (longer) in its current orientation 

[dazzystar]

Hi @fozzybear

The first image is from someone else on a YouTube Video. The black square thing is the bottom of a tube ring. Did he put the washers in the right place?

[fozzybear]

Just now, dazzystar said:

Hi @fozzybear

The first image is from someone else on a YouTube Video. The black square thing is the bottom of a tube ring. Did he put the washers in the right place?

I don't use washers there as serves no purpose as the lip on the dovetail takes the (whats the english word) strain/rigidity

[fozzybear]

1 minute ago, fozzybear said:

I don't use washers there as serves no purpose as the lip on the dovetail takes the (whats the english word) strain/rigidity

anyway looks like a spring washer so the user can rotate the bracket for your purpose not needed

[dazzystar]

Cheers!

[Stu]

That first image looks fine to me. The base of the rings is supported by the two sides of the dovetail so that’s fine. I would just put a flat washer between the bolt and the dovetail but not essential. Just make sure the bolts don’t go too far up and damage your tube. They look like they might be a bit long so the washer would be a good idea.

[dazzystar]

what I also don't understand is that my small dovetail bar (in the picture above) came with the Startravel 102 scope and has 4 small bolts on it (2 each end) which are for cone error correction but as they are directly underneath the tube rings they can serve no purpose at all?

[Stu]

2 minutes ago, dazzystar said:

what I also don't understand is that my small dovetail bar (in the picture above) came with the Startravel 102 scope and has 4 small bolts on it (2 each end) which are for cone error correction but as they are directly underneath the tube rings they can serve no purpose at all?

Isn’t that where they should be? They would push up against the base of the tube ring and allow you to correct for cone error. Where do you think they should be?

I actually always assumed these were just safety stops to prevent the dovetail sliding out of the clamp but what you suggested does make sense.

[fozzybear]

5 minutes ago, dazzystar said:

what I also don't understand is that my small dovetail bar (in the picture above) came with the Startravel 102 scope and has 4 small bolts on it (2 each end) which are for cone error correction but as they are directly underneath the tube rings they can serve no purpose at all?

they are there because that is there purpose underneath the tube rings

 

 

[fozzybear]

2 minutes ago, Stu said:

Isn’t that where they should be? They would push up against the base of the tube ring and allow you to correct for cone error. Where do you think they should be?

I actually always assumed these were just safety stops to prevent the dovetail sliding out of the clamp but what you suggested does make sense.

as per Stu

[fozzybear]

and the hole in the middle of the 2 screws is for a dead man switch (install a bolt there ) as if you ever loosen the dovetail in the mount and you are not on the ball the scope will slip backwards and hit the deck ouch

Edited March 23, 2022 by fozzybear
added text

[dazzystar]

Please tell me how the cone error screws could have any effect on the tube's position seeing as the rings are held tight on to the dovetail or is there some magical engineering involved?

[fozzybear]

As per the attached image 

[vlaiv]

10 hours ago, dazzystar said:

Please tell me how the cone error screws could have any effect on the tube's position seeing as the rings are held tight on to the dovetail or is there some magical engineering involved?

Think of it as push / pull system

Loosen central screw that holds ring to dovetail bar and then "adjust" it with other two screws and when those are in position - tighten central screw again to hold it all together.

Two screws on the side don't do the bolting - they just serve as "shims"

[dazzystar]

Cheers...obvious when you know!

Only issue for me now is that I'm using my long SW dovetail on my Stellere which means only one pair of cone bolts are in contact with one of the rings...oh well...