Fix Rotting/Missing Grips On Your Telescope

Поделиться
HTML-код
  • Опубликовано: 23 дек 2024

Комментарии • 30

  • @spikebr
    @spikebr 10 месяцев назад +3

    Man you have videos on EVERY little issue and trick related to telescope use. So glad I found your channel. Learned a few things that made me feel like a turd for not having thought of it before!

    • @AstronomyGarage
      @AstronomyGarage  10 месяцев назад +1

      Thanks for watching! I have some more deep-in-the-weeds repair videos coming out soon that address very common problems like this. Clear skies!

  • @jackieblank4249
    @jackieblank4249 2 года назад +3

    That is too cool.Will remember this for the future. Thanks for the tip . Love your videos.
    Saw Mars and Pleiads And Orion nebula Wednesday nite before the cloud s rolled in .From back yard White Castle La.

    • @AstronomyGarage
      @AstronomyGarage  2 года назад +1

      Thank you for watching! Mars is looking amazing right now. Clear skies!

  • @dumpydalekobservatory
    @dumpydalekobservatory 2 года назад +5

    That's a good fix another one I've seen is using a bicycle inner tube & cutting across it the same width as the groove on the focuser, it does need to be quite a narrow one though so it stretches over for enough grip (If any of that made sense lol)

    • @AstronomyGarage
      @AstronomyGarage  2 года назад +2

      That's a really good idea. My worry would be that the inner tube is too thin. Perhaps using two or three layers might be perfect? Clear skies!

    • @dumpydalekobservatory
      @dumpydalekobservatory 2 года назад

      @@AstronomyGarage You're right I think the repair I saw did have a couple of layers at least, I should have added that part.

    • @VA3DSO
      @VA3DSO 2 года назад +2

      I’ve got Orion aluminum focus knobs and replaced the rotting rubber grips with a section of mountain bike inner tube. It is the perfect thickness and has lasted several years so far.

  • @JoeJaguar
    @JoeJaguar 2 года назад +1

    yes i seen soo many of those with the rubbers broken, good fix. I wonder if the company will have a perm fix or use a different option?

  • @DavidMFChapman
    @DavidMFChapman Год назад +1

    I collect rubber bands that come with produce from the grocery store. My fav are the broccoli ones. 😊

  • @titodenny4
    @titodenny4 2 года назад +2

    Awesome idea I was looking for those and I was having the same problem not finding replacements. The only thing I could find at the time that might work but I did not try yet was a pair of 1in. silicone Glow in the dark hollow gages for ear piercings. Just a thought. Keep up the great videos. I appreciate you covering these refurbishing telescopes videos. There's something about taking a dusty telescope that was left to die and bring it back to life. Thanks

    • @AstronomyGarage
      @AstronomyGarage  2 года назад +1

      I'm glad you've found the restoration/fix videos helpful. Since I only use old/used telescopes, I've found that they often suffer from common problems and I figured others might have the same problems. I'm always looking for cheap & easy fixes. Clear skies!

  • @KopLamp
    @KopLamp 2 года назад +1

    In my video about repairing my CEM40 mount, I encountered the timing belts. Perhaps these (inside out) would fit nicely too! The teeth will provide ample grip.

    • @AstronomyGarage
      @AstronomyGarage  2 года назад

      That would be a very clever use for them and I agree the teeth would be grippy.

  • @jons2447
    @jons2447 2 года назад +1

    Hello, Mr. Dreese;
    Excellent video, "THANK YOU!"
    You are so smart, here's a question for you;
    Many focusers have small knobs so it is harder to 'fine adjust' the focus.
    How can we fix the knobs so the diameter is say, 30% larger?
    My scope's knobs are 30mm/1-3/16"(1.1875") diameter.
    I'd like to increase the diameter to 45mm/1-3/4"+(1.77") or 50mm/1-15/16"[round to 2"].
    I thought of drilling 5 or 6 holes spaced evenly around the diameter & inserting dowels.
    But just 5 holes per knob x 2 knobs is 10 holes.
    That may not sound like a lot but every hole is a possible disaster, at least for me.
    My other idea is to use holes saws to cut the larger diameter from 1/2" plywood.
    Then using a smaller hole saw cut the center hole to match the original knob diameter.
    I'd like to hear what you think of this, so please reply.
    Have a GREAT day, Neighbor!

    • @AstronomyGarage
      @AstronomyGarage  2 года назад

      That's a good question, and I've not heard that before. So the knobs are just too small for your fingers? 1.2 inches is pretty small for a focuser wheel. I think your secondary solution is best. Cut a circle out of thick plywood (or a chunk of 1x3 lumber) and then cut a circle out of the middle of that disk that matches your focuser knob diameter. Attachment may be tricky, but you could go with epoxy or a couple of screws. Or.... if your existing knobs are held on by a central screw, use a longer screw and only partially drill the middle out of your wooden disk. Another solution would be to buy a very thick O-Ring that would wrap around the existing knob. Let me know how it goes!

  • @vicamaral
    @vicamaral 2 года назад +1

    Great video tips pro, how about Liquid electrical tape, comes with application brush cap to brush some multiple coats. pure rubber.

    • @AstronomyGarage
      @AstronomyGarage  2 года назад +1

      I've never actually heard of that, but it's definitely worth a try.

  • @coletc
    @coletc 11 месяцев назад +1

    I’m looking at a used scope tomorrow and noticed the grip missing on one knob. This tells me not to think of it as a dealbreaker on an otherwise nice DOB. Wish me luck.

    • @AstronomyGarage
      @AstronomyGarage  11 месяцев назад

      Oh yah, this is an easy cheap fix. The only dealbreaker would be if the mirrors are damaged. Dirty is okay, but etched would mean a re-coating. If you buy the telescope cheap enough, even that is not a dealbreaker. My 12 inch Dob was only $250. The mirror needed immediate re-coating, but even with that cost it was a great deal.

    • @coletc
      @coletc 11 месяцев назад

      @@AstronomyGarage any thoughts on how I can get my best look at the mirror when visiting a resale. The scope is owned by the daughter of original owner. I was thinking removing the mirror is a shop exercise not something I can do at the owners home. Bringing a flashlight but have no idea how effective that will be fill I get there

    • @coletc
      @coletc 11 месяцев назад

      @@AstronomyGaragelooks like removing 3 screws and pulling the mirror assembly out. I’d rather not do that at the owners place. It does have a dust cap and looks immaculate on the outside. It’s 10 min from my house which is a plus.

  • @AmatureAstronomer
    @AmatureAstronomer 7 месяцев назад

    Clever.

    • @AstronomyGarage
      @AstronomyGarage  7 месяцев назад

      Thanks! It's been working pretty well for a few years now.

  • @tomwall8403
    @tomwall8403 2 года назад

    Rubber bands work just fine, too. :-)

    • @AstronomyGarage
      @AstronomyGarage  2 года назад +1

      That would work, but any rubber-based solution would still eventually have the same fate as the originals. The silicone o-rings should last a lifetime.

  • @bowrudder899
    @bowrudder899 11 месяцев назад +1

    Another solution: the rubber bands that come on broccoli

    • @AstronomyGarage
      @AstronomyGarage  11 месяцев назад

      Thank you for the idea! A very excellent way to fix the same problem. The only advantage that the silicone o-rings might have is longevity, but with the cost of produce bands almost zero, your method may be the most cost effective in the long run!

    • @bowrudder899
      @bowrudder899 11 месяцев назад

      You can stack them too, one on top of another.