Cosmetically challenged Tak FS-102 tube

Hello group,

I'm a first time poster and relatively new FS-102 owner. I love the scope but when buying it used here disregarded my instincts that tell me that I should always hold out for a new or like new scope so that I don't get the urge to trade up and thus lose money on the deal. That's where I'm at now, as I'd like to get one with a tube a lot more new-looking. The previous owner didn't give the scope the respect it deserved and it has many paint chips 'fixed' with (ugh) 'white-out' correction fluid and one large area where the paint came off due to a Rigel bracket (the Tak paingt is far from durable and indeed chips off easily as I discovered when trying to move the Rigel bracket to a different location). I debated trying to get the tube repainted professionally but figured that stripping it and getting it repainted had some serious risk since I wouldn't trust an auto paint guy to do this without, say, getting the baffles painted with overspray or denting the tube. Is it possible to get a new tube or is that just too expenisve to justify, in which case I will try to find a newer scope and sell this one. Thanks for your ideas, -Jason

Check with Art Ciampi at TNR as they may have a new tube available for a reasonable price.

Jason,

There are a couple of reasonably priced options for you to have a "new" tube.

1.) Call Art or Fred at TNR and inquire about purchasing a new tube. Sometimes they have them in stock and they are around ~$135 +/- IIRC + shipping.

2.) Check with a quality auto body shop for a quote for a new paint job. There are a lot of paint guys doing excellent work including custom work and work on high end cars. Look for someone who will get it right, then:

a. Unscrew the lens cell and focuser. Take them the tube only.

b. Request that they mask off the threads on both ends.

c. Request that they completely mask the opening. No spray inside the tube.

3.) You also have one other option for your "bad tube." That is to have the tube cut-down by about 40mm (NSV length) at a machine shop. Cut the focuser end, you have room behind the last baffle, and have them rethread the end.

Then, get it re-painted at the auto body shop. With a little more in-focus travel, you can dump the Tak 1.25" ocular adapter which I detest, install the CAA, install the Tak 2" compression ring visual back, and use a 2" diagonal with 1.25" adapter and have most all of your eyepieces come to focus.

If your FS-102's optics are fine, spend a few dollars to get the tube looking new, and then buy a CASE for it. The FS-102 is a fine scope.

My $.02 on how I would approach the problem,

Jay