Loosening slow motion cable?

[Nikolai De Silva]

Hi,

Is it normal for a Slow motion cable to loosen after using?🤔 Our Telescope's Slow motion cables are loosening after using for a little time. Then it is needed to be tightened again. 

Is it really normal?

Thank you for replies in advance.

Nikolai.

Edited January 22 by Nikolai De Silva

[PeterStudz]

If you mean the locking screws working loose then it’s a common problem. 

I solved it by putting a small section of plastic tubing over the tread of the thumb screws. Just long enough so that when you tighten the screw it compresses the tube a little. That extra friction prevents the thumb screw moving and working loose. 
 

[Stu]

53 minutes ago, PeterStudz said:

If you mean the locking screws working loose then it’s a common problem. 

I solved it by putting a small section of plastic tubing over the tread of the thumb screws. Just long enough so that when you tighten the screw it compresses the tube a little. That extra friction prevents the thumb screw moving and working loose. 
 

What a cunning idea! 👍👍

[JeremyS]

6 hours ago, PeterStudz said:

If you mean the locking screws working loose then it’s a common problem. 

I solved it by putting a small section of plastic tubing over the tread of the thumb screws. Just long enough so that when you tighten the screw it compresses the tube a little. That extra friction prevents the thumb screw moving and working loose. 
 

Ingenious 👍🏻

[bosun21]

16 hours ago, PeterStudz said:

If you mean the locking screws working loose then it’s a common problem. 

I solved it by putting a small section of plastic tubing over the tread of the thumb screws. Just long enough so that when you tighten the screw it compresses the tube a little. That extra friction prevents the thumb screw moving and working loose. 
 

 

What an ingenious way to solve this problem. I can remember when first starting out both my slo mo cables dropping off more than lemmings.

[Nikolai De Silva]

Great idea and thanks @PeterStudz!👍 I tried it, but with a black colour tubing. Hope will work!

[PeterStudz]

The tube I used was meant for model aircraft - fuel supply to a glow-plug engines - from the days when I made model planes. It’s flexible but quite stiff. If you put the slow-motion cable back on, tighten the thumb screw, and move it back and forth you should see if it works. 

In fact the idea came via someone else and was used to help prevent fixings vibrating loose from running model engines. 

[Nikolai De Silva]

2 hours ago, PeterStudz said:

The tube I used was meant for model aircraft - fuel supply to a glow-plug engines - from the days when I made model planes.

WOW!😀 I love model vehicles! Do you have any pics of those planes? Really love to see!!!🙂

[PeterStudz]

On 23/01/2024 at 15:03, Nikolai De Silva said:

WOW!😀 I love model vehicles! Do you have any pics of those planes? Really love to see!!!🙂

Somewhere. And a still have a few down my shed. Will see what I can do!

[Nikolai De Silva]

57 minutes ago, PeterStudz said:

Somewhere. And a still have a few down my shed. Will see what I can do!

Hoping to see some 😀