Fingers slipping on focuser

[ian61]

Oops the rubber grips on my focuser have perished – As you can see from the picture - a strand of what remains is draped over. This is a Celestron Reflector (Skywatcher Explorer 150P EQ3-2) I was thinking perhaps some strips of bicycle handlebar tape unless, perhaps, some of you out there have any better ideas?

[Steve Ward]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hockey-Adhesive-Sports-Badminton-Baseball/dp/B0D2N8WZ1B/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?adgrpid=58604137132&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.pJA0sOmUmC8V9k-J23QuNcme3HOQDl0YgnJnjhwmkCoAko48QL4G7FFTa53Qs2NH4x6oPLAktLsjxosXt3nkXjMAD1D02i9RpFsmeQn0EySCpEuFxRDqKk1HGG2LG_Q2SPzTqS941ld3QzWTB-Tlso4tTZz0t9XjoviPGHcQ1dHRsM1t48uxKwqtOCrlfRkl3Bvem75AK2qIY2PtfxGyKQ-INViEMQA6ivB-vYry2DB-V-v-wVjFnS6Jatx8xK9PgkBJnKMy-eQZa1xD3EtkQxDXT8z0BfowmMQDaB6yVjU.F9ckuoaJv4mvzvq9_yaM7yXNT4PGKzKiFnDno_JnkhI&dib_tag=se&hvadid=606066442511&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=1006774&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=10890925628001735379&hvtargid=kwd-303422028943&hydadcr=13249_2321827&keywords=hockey+stick+grip+tape&qid=1719669583&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

[ian61]

Thanks Steve, that was certainly the way my mind was working - that looks better than the usual bike stuff for this purpose.

[PeterStudz]

Tape (eg for hockey sticks), a series of o-rings, sticky backed neoprene, trap washers… I’m sure there are others.

And there are people selling spares too…

https://www.microglobe.co.uk/skywatcher-spare-part-rubber-armoring-for-crayford-focusers-p-22634.html

[Elp]

That popular DIY store sells adhesive backed rubber on a tape reel, no way anything will slip off that surface it grips like something else. It may look grubby after a while though due to things sticking to it, easy to peel off and replace.

Or better yet, replace the knob with a knurled one.

 

[ian61]

Oddly the least likely thing I will do is the direct replacement (Good spot though Peter)- Some of the other options above sound much more durable.

[DaveL59]

self-amalgamating tape perhaps? It ain't sticky backed, just stretch it as you wind on a couple layers and over time the layers will merge/bond to each other. Handy for making cable joins water resistant too 🙂 

[ian61]

On 29/06/2024 at 17:38, DaveL59 said:

self-amalgamating tape perhaps? It ain't sticky backed, just stretch it as you wind on a couple layers and over time the layers will merge/bond to each other. Handy for making cable joins water resistant too 🙂 

Thanks Dave, that gave me the thought that we have cohesive bandages (similar concept) knocking about - seems to have worked well, time will tell but a cheap patch if I need to redo as I only used about 20cm and that cut lengthwise did both knobs.