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Posts Made By: Stuart St. Clair

April 22, 2005 08:44 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Piggyback Ranger on C9.25

Posted By Stuart St. Clair
How would I piggyback a Ranger on a C9.25?

Would a CG5-GT mount be stable enough for visual use with the extra 4 to 5 pounds of the Ranger/diagonal/eyepiece on there?

Thanks.

April 23, 2005 08:06 AM Forum: Binoviewers

Stellarvue Binoviewers

Posted By Stuart St. Clair
Has anybody tried the Stellarvue binoviewers, or heard anything about them?

May 2, 2005 09:58 AM Forum: Telescope Making

Mirror Cell Advice Request

Posted By Stuart St. Clair
I'm building a 12.5" dob, using ideas from several different sources. The 9-point mirror cell is based on Kriege & Berry's design, and has three metal triangles with three mirror support points per triangle. Originally, I was planning to use a sling to support the bottom edge of the mirror, like K&B describe. However, based on some things I've read lately, it sounds like maybe a better method is just to use silicone adhesive to glue the mirror to the triangles. I'm looking for advice one way or the other. Also, if I glue it, should I put something hard (like a bolt head) at the corners of the triangles to provide a support? Any other ideas out there on what to use as the support point under the glue? Thanks very much.

May 6, 2005 10:36 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

PST on Nexstar Mount?

Posted By Stuart St. Clair
I'm thinking about getting a Nexstar 5i. If I do so, does anybody know whether I would be able to put my PST on the Nexstar mount? If anyone has done this, I would be very interested to hear your comments. Is this a fairly simple process, or does it take some time?

May 25, 2005 11:56 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Reducer/Corrector with Nexstar 5i ?

Posted By Stuart St. Clair
I can't seem to get a straight answer on whether Celestron's f/6.3 reducer/corrector will work with the Nexstar 5i for visual use. Does anybody know?

May 30, 2006 04:04 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Bolts with Plastic Knobs

Posted By Stuart St. Clair
What's a good source for bolts with integral plastic knobs. In particular, I'm looking for 1/4-20 x 2" long bolt with a 1" to 1.25" plastic knob. Thanks.

June 7, 2006 04:01 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Tube Connectors

Posted By Stuart St. Clair
Thanks to all who provided info on the plastic knobs for bolts. I ordered some from Reid.

Now, can anyone tell me where to get the flower-shaped tube connectors that place a female thread inside aluminum tube. I see them on the Obsession website for $3 apiece. And I know Superior Components sells them, but they have a $50 minimum order. Does anyone sell small quantities at a reasonable price? I only need 8.

Thanks in advance.

June 8, 2006 09:37 AM Forum: Telescope Making

Focal Point

Posted By Stuart St. Clair
I'm building a 12.5" dob, and I will need to cut my poles to length soon. Where do I want the focal point to hit in relation to the top of the focuser tube (i.e., the rim on which the eyepieces rest)? Thanks in advance.

June 10, 2006 06:51 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Blackening Aluminum

Posted By Stuart St. Clair
Is there a good way to blacken aluminum?

June 12, 2006 10:53 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Inserting Tube Connectors

Posted By Stuart St. Clair
I'm looking for tips on how to insert those flower-shaped tube connectors into aluminum poles. I tried a test piece today, but I wasn't real happy with the results. I attached a bolt to a piece of wood, and then screwed the tube connector onto the bolt. First, I tried pushing the connector into the tube, but I couldn't provide enough force. So, then I hammered the back of the bolt and was able to get the connector into the tube, but it wasn't quite straight, and the tube seemed to be tweaked out of round a little by the hammering. Is there a better way?

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