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Coathanger CR 399

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Posts Made By: Stephen Collett

July 20, 2009 05:11 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

What is your dream scope?

Posted By Stephen Collett
If you ever got the 12" Questar, ...
1) YOu would thoroughly test it;
2) You would immediately find numerous annoying little faults;
3) You would modify it (I'm having a fantasy about yellow cooling fan housings); and
4) You would soon decide on a new "dream scope" and offer the 12" Q here on Astronomart.

Regards,
Steve in Bakersfield.

January 6, 2010 03:35 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

anyone use a RF newt for a large finder?

Posted By Stephen Collett
I used a 4" f/5 based on an Edmnunds mirror on my 20" for many years. I mounted it on the back of the mirror box. Very effective. People in line to view could "preview" objects.

August 7, 2010 09:34 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Wax bearings?

Posted By Stephen Collett
What gave you the idea that Ebony Star needs wax on Teflon? You're driving a telescope. Wax, or any other lubricant, is likely to turn it into a weather vane. Years ago, on a hunch, I tried Pledge furniture wax on a scope of mine. Too slick. I took it off with alcohol, back to normal.

March 10, 2011 04:30 AM Forum: Star Parties

Kern County Astronomy Day

Posted By Stephen Collett
Did I mention, it's all FREE ?!?!
Food vendors will be there if you get hungry.

March 30, 2012 04:01 PM Forum: Reflectors

Collimation issue:

Posted By Stephen Collett
Two suggestions:
1) If your mirror is f/8 or faster, the secondary needs to be offset away from the focuser and toward the primary, since the portion of the secondary away from the eyepiece intercepts a larger portion of the light cone. If the secondary seems centered in the eyepiece AND centered in the tube, the laser will give you a small skew. A good check is to see if, when you are "on target" with the laser, does the "return" spot from the laser it the same place as the "input" dot from the laser?
2) Simply rotate the laser in your focuser to see if it gives you an accurate center. If a rotating laser describes a small circle, then you need to compensate for a centering error in the laser itself.

July 25, 2012 12:32 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Junk Yard Dog (Mutt)

Posted By Stephen Collett
You can come tune up my projects any time, Keith.

Steve in Bakersfield.

September 12, 2005 11:09 PM Forum: Polls

ATWB buying and selling used on AstroMart

Posted By Stephen Collett
I find many postings by folks who bought equipment without sufficient knowledge to use it, and are trying to cash out because they've burned out. Since many of these items are not so popular with veteran Astromart users, ATWB might be a good outlet for such folks. My only concern is that ATWB should not "absorb" the friendly Astromart environment too extensively.

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