Telescope servicing

[Marc1980]

Good evening.

It's been a while since I've used my scope properly and I'm keen to get it serviced (if that's even a thing). I live in Cornwall. Does anybody have any suggestions of where I could take it?

Thanks so much

Marc

[Peter Drew]

What sort of servicing does it require?    🙂

[Moonshed]

19 minutes ago, Peter Drew said:

What sort of servicing does it require?    🙂

Oil change, new spark plugs, engine de-coke and drive thru wash, that should fix it. A mate of a mate of mine can do it cheap if you mention my name. If you don’t mention my name it will be even cheaper. 

[mikeDnight]

If you haven't used it for a while, it should be in the same condition that you left it in. Scopes don't normally need much in the way of servicing unless something drastic has happened.  What sort of scope do you have and what do you imagine is wrong with it?

[pipnina]

3 hours ago, Marc1980 said:

Good evening.

It's been a while since I've used my scope properly and I'm keen to get it serviced (if that's even a thing). I live in Cornwall. Does anybody have any suggestions of where I could take it?

Thanks so much

Marc

If a mirror-based scope, the only service you can really get is a re-coating, where you send the mirrors away and they remove the old coating and apply a new one to the glass. Mirror alignment is easily handled at home, and would be lost in transport between you and anyone who could do it for you anyway.

For a refractor, the most common need for a tune-up is fungus or re-coatings. Fungus often grows between lenses that get water between them. Happens a LOT in normal photography. Sometimes it can be cleaned off, sometimes it's a bit too stubborn. Refractors can sometimes need adjustment of the lenses, if they are de-centered. This is a bit specialist, especially when you get to triplets. But for the most part refractors stay the line if well built so unless dropped should be fine in that regard.