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Other Accessories
Discuss any astro equipment that does not have its own forum, such as focusers, finders, chairs, etc.

Topics: 57

Last post: Re: Yet another diagonal vs r… by KathyNS, Mon Oct 14, 2019 1:34 pm

57 Topics

431 Posts

Last post Re: Yet another diagonal vs r…
by KathyNS View the latest post
Mon Oct 14, 2019 1:34 pm
The DIY corner
See sub forums to discuss "Do it yourself" projects.
Subforums:

Home observatories,

ATM,

Other "Do It Yourself" projects
Topics: 60

Last post: Re: Light Blocking Panels by pakarinen, Mon Oct 14, 2019 12:42 pm
60 Topics

646 Posts

Last post Re: Light Blocking Panels
by pakarinen View the latest post
Mon Oct 14, 2019 12:42 pm

Active topics

Replies

Views

Last post

Yet another diagonal vs reducer related upgrade - Evo 9.25

Last post by KathyNS « Mon Oct 14, 2019 1:34 pm
Replies: 5
by Viktorious » Sat Oct 12, 2019 6:35 pm

First post

Time for yet another cry for help when it comes to choosing diagonal. I have read the many similar threads and gathered some knowledge (too many to...

Last post

Thread closed at originator's request.

5 Replies

92 Views

Last post by KathyNS
Mon Oct 14, 2019 1:34 pm
Light Blocking Panels

Last post by pakarinen « Mon Oct 14, 2019 12:42 pm
Replies: 18
by KingNothing13 » Tue Aug 13, 2019 5:49 pm

First post

Does anyone on the forum use light blocking panels?

If so, do you have plans/photos you'd be willing to share?

I am thinking I would like to put...

Last post

And yet another improvement (?):

I put new cable ties in the shower curtain grommets and left the cable tie loops on the long side. I now hang the...

18 Replies

433 Views

Last post by pakarinen
Mon Oct 14, 2019 12:42 pm
Building a fixed post mirror grinding machine

Last post by Kanadalainen « Sun Oct 13, 2019 1:24 pm
Replies: 30
by Kanadalainen » Thu Aug 15, 2019 12:55 pm
1

2
First post

Hello all,

I'm fascinated by those who can grind and figure their own mirrors for reflecting telescopes. With the availability of kits to finish...

Last post

big glass!

The goal is to make a 20 mirror. Ambitious, but possible I think. I would hog it to roughly f3.5 or f4, and figuring it from a sphere...
30 Replies

513 Views

Last post by Kanadalainen
Sun Oct 13, 2019 1:24 pm
Where O Where Should I Place My Dome?

Last post by jrkirkham « Sat Oct 12, 2019 4:11 pm
Replies: 19
by jrkirkham » Thu Oct 03, 2019 1:54 pm

First post

Now that I have my Pod ordered I want to double check with those of you who have observatories. I have often bounced ideas off the forum and that has...

Last post

I think you are correct, Bob. I am close to some really dark skies, but I am also a year and a half from retirement. I don't think the dark skies...

19 Replies

312 Views

Last post by jrkirkham
Sat Oct 12, 2019 4:11 pm
Looking for an adapter from M42 to a 2" eyepiece

Last post by JimMinCT « Sat Oct 12, 2019 12:16 pm
Replies: 8
by man1 » Wed Sep 25, 2019 11:24 pm

First post

Hi,
I have an old (very high quality f=400mm 1:5.6) camera lens that fits my Pentax Spotmatic-F and I am trying to find an adapter that converts from...

Last post

Very nice setup!
(I'm amazed at how many of us have lathes...)
Perhaps they should be listed in the equipment section along with the other pieces of...

8 Replies

147 Views

Last post by JimMinCT
Sat Oct 12, 2019 12:16 pm
DIY Anti-vibration pads?

Last post by OzEclipse « Fri Oct 11, 2019 11:05 pm
Replies: 13
by pakarinen » Wed Oct 02, 2019 2:07 pm

First post

Not sure if my deck is showing more signs of aging, if the ground has different water content these days, or if I'm just becoming more aware, but...

Last post

I'm a street latin dancer from way back. Salsa, bachata, merengue!

Though I don't go every week these days, you never really stop being a dancer....

13 Replies

193 Views

Last post by OzEclipse
Fri Oct 11, 2019 11:05 pm
ScopeDome 3m observatories

Last post by Bigzmey « Fri Oct 11, 2019 9:47 pm
Replies: 6
by AntennaGuy » Sat Sep 21, 2019 8:43 pm

First post

Ok folks, would owning one of these be just absolutely awesome, or what?

They are made in Poland and sold in the EU, Canada, and Australia. At a...

Last post

So, while I'm dreaming, I'm thinking that the following OTA:

Just one left in stock you better hurry. :D

6 Replies

202 Views

Last post by Bigzmey
Fri Oct 11, 2019 9:47 pm
new lathe project

Last post by yobbo89 « Fri Oct 11, 2019 8:17 am
Replies: 28
by yobbo89 » Sat Sep 14, 2019 10:29 am
1

2
First post

making a diy tilt adapter ,these cost a fortune and are by far the simplest adapters, a few pc thumb screws and some aluminum .

I did not want to...

Last post

What lathe are you using?
I've been puttering around with a Grizzly G0602 10x22 now for a few weeks and love it. (No DRO's on my machine yet,...
28 Replies

442 Views

Last post by yobbo89
Fri Oct 11, 2019 8:17 am
Celestron Auto Focuser

Last post by Greg6498 « Thu Oct 10, 2019 11:31 pm

by Greg6498 » Thu Oct 10, 2019 11:31 pm

Hello all

I have a Celestron 180mm Maksutov and am considering installing the Celestron Motorized Focuser. Do any of you use one and if so, how do...

0 Replies

38 Views

Last post by Greg6498
Thu Oct 10, 2019 11:31 pm
Damn RACI screws out of control

Last post by allisonribeiro « Wed Oct 09, 2019 1:02 pm
Replies: 4
by allisonribeiro » Wed Oct 09, 2019 2:02 am

First post

Hello there.

I own a Celestron 9x50 RACI finder and I've always struggled with the adjustments screws of it.

It seems that the only way for me to...

Last post

I see. Didnt notice them before.

Will try, tks mate

4 Replies

100 Views

Last post by allisonribeiro
Wed Oct 09, 2019 1:02 pm
Nexus II WiFi failing or shutting down randomly

Last post by pakarinen « Tue Oct 08, 2019 1:07 pm

by pakarinen » Tue Oct 08, 2019 1:07 pm

Before I email Serge, I wanted to ask if anybody else has seen or heard about this.

Running 8192 encoders into a Nexus II. Talking to an iPhone 7...

0 Replies

45 Views

Last post by pakarinen
Tue Oct 08, 2019 1:07 pm
Orion IntelliScope Display

Last post by EAGLE 5 « Sun Oct 06, 2019 11:24 pm
Replies: 4
by man1 » Sat Oct 05, 2019 12:55 pm

First post

On my new Orion XT10i - the display on the Object Locator was so faint it was unreadable. I decided to check things out and open the unit.
Inside is...

Last post

Nice fix.

4 Replies

98 Views

Last post by EAGLE 5
Sun Oct 06, 2019 11:24 pm
2" Diagonal

Last post by Lady Fraktor « Sun Oct 06, 2019 5:05 am
Replies: 1
by Astroglide65 » Sat Oct 05, 2019 10:24 pm

First post

Hello everybody,

I have a David H Levy Mak-Newton telescope I'm using with either my ZWOASI224MC or my Sony a6000 cameras. To get them to focus I...

Last post

Diagonals are not designed to work with Newtonian style telescopes, the light path through the 2 would probably be longer than your extensions.

1 Replies

56 Views

Last post by Lady Fraktor
Sun Oct 06, 2019 5:05 am
RACI falls apart in the cold

Last post by man1 « Sat Oct 05, 2019 3:00 pm
Replies: 10
by MrShorty » Wed Oct 02, 2019 5:14 pm

First post

I have an Orion RACI finder. Basically I am finding that, whenever it gets cold enough (as it is starting to do now), the RACI literally falls apart....

Last post

If I had a problem like that I would use the liquid electrical tape that Home Depot, or the local Canadian Tire store sells.
It will dry and stay...

10 Replies

153 Views

Last post by man1
Sat Oct 05, 2019 3:00 pm
Best cheap paint for your OTA - chalkboard black

Last post by Kanadalainen « Thu Oct 03, 2019 2:46 pm
Replies: 4
by Kanadalainen » Tue Aug 20, 2019 1:39 pm

First post

I recently noticed the back of my dob's secondary mirror was not blackened, nor are the spider vane support bolts.

I should blacken them.

IMHO...

Last post

Thanks Alan for your input!

That newtonian is done properly. :)

Ian

4 Replies

158 Views

Last post by Kanadalainen
Thu Oct 03, 2019 2:46 pm
need advise or help with stepper motor controller box

Last post by VenusAstronomer « Thu Oct 03, 2019 1:03 pm
Replies: 12
by VenusAstronomer » Fri Sep 27, 2019 3:49 pm

First post

Hi all -

I have an old-style Newtonian scope (14.5 inches), solid fiberglass tube, on a steel fork equatorial base, set in concrete, in an...

Last post

I was able to catch up with an old friend yesterday. Haven't seen or heard from him in 3 or 4 years, as health issues took him away from astronomy....

12 Replies

245 Views

Last post by VenusAstronomer
Thu Oct 03, 2019 1:03 pm
R&P focuser recommendations?

Last post by fatboy1271 « Tue Oct 01, 2019 5:49 pm
Replies: 4
by KathyNS » Mon Sep 30, 2019 2:14 pm

First post

My Orion 200mm f/4 Newtonian astrograph came with a GSO LF Crayford focuser. While it is a good unit, it doesn't quite have the traction to support...

Last post

I've been using the ZWO EAF and while it's my first AF, I like it.

4 Replies

84 Views

Last post by fatboy1271
Tue Oct 01, 2019 5:49 pm
need help with stepper motor problems

Last post by KathyNS « Mon Sep 30, 2019 1:44 pm
Replies: 1
by VenusAstronomer » Mon Sep 30, 2019 12:25 pm

First post

Hi folks -
so - I posted this last Friday and haven't had any responses so far. I am wondering if I maybe put it into the wrong category; DIY, other....

Last post

I replied on the other thread.

1 Replies

127 Views

Last post by KathyNS
Mon Sep 30, 2019 1:44 pm
Sky Quality Meter

Last post by DeanD « Mon Sep 30, 2019 5:37 am
Replies: 8
by Star Dad » Wed Sep 25, 2019 7:43 pm

First post

I am a ranger for The Last Green Valley (in CT - a National Heritage Corridor) and TLGV is looking to purchase Sky Quality Meters to measure and...

Last post

Thank you. I tried using it last night in my dark area at home. My hometown is rated at 19.95 - I got 20.12-20.14; so it was pretty close. Guess I...

8 Replies

142 Views

Last post by DeanD
Mon Sep 30, 2019 5:37 am
Flocking Focuser draw tube

Last post by Ylem « Mon Sep 30, 2019 1:17 am
Replies: 2
by Don Quixote » Sun Sep 29, 2019 11:01 pm

First post

The draw tubes on my fracs are 2 and 2.5 .
On my AR152 f/6.5, which has a 2 focuser, I notice some dull light circle coming from the inside of the...

Last post

Thanks Mark
Cool thinking 8-)

2 Replies

50 Views

Last post by Ylem
Mon Sep 30, 2019 1:17 am
Side-grade

Last post by Greenman « Sun Sep 29, 2019 6:53 pm
Replies: 5
by Greenman » Sat Sep 28, 2019 6:15 pm

First post

My pawnshop special 80AT worked OK for a while, but now I get consistent ‘motor failures ‘ roughly at the same positions. I was toying with the idea...

Last post

Nice one if anyone else is considering this see the bottom of this page on weasner:

5 Replies

105 Views

Last post by Greenman
Sun Sep 29, 2019 6:53 pm
Upgrading Focuser For Refractor Telescope

Last post by pakarinen « Wed Sep 25, 2019 1:06 pm
Replies: 19
by Refractordude » Mon Sep 23, 2019 9:46 pm

First post

Besides smooth focusing, what other advantages are there in upgrading from a stock focuser? I googled/binged this question. However, could not find...

Last post

If the focuser to tube adapter is the same size it will fit, another adapter may be needed.
I think Astro Agena has a chart of which ones fit which...

19 Replies

234 Views

Last post by pakarinen
Wed Sep 25, 2019 1:06 pm
DIY stuff and getting ready...

Last post by bladekeeper « Tue Sep 24, 2019 12:10 pm
Replies: 5
by man1 » Mon Sep 23, 2019 9:05 pm

First post

Finally I got my Telescope last Friday and I have been busy doing some of the DIY stuff that I wanted to do. What better way to learn how to...

Last post

Thanks for your advice to give enough time to let the mirrors cool down enough. I am planing to run the fan all the time and just vary the fan speed...

5 Replies

132 Views

Last post by bladekeeper
Tue Sep 24, 2019 12:10 pm
Longer Thumb Screws

Last post by gregl « Mon Sep 23, 2019 3:58 am
Replies: 11
by Don Quixote » Tue Sep 10, 2019 1:34 am

First post

FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH.

I have always found it a tedious fumble to tighten and adjust accessories in and around the focuser on my telescopes.
These...

Last post

By the way, if you can't find what you need from an astro supplier, there is an outfit called Reid Supply that has a boatload of various setscrews,...

11 Replies

246 Views

Last post by gregl
Mon Sep 23, 2019 3:58 am
New Star Diagonal Question

Last post by Arctic « Sat Sep 21, 2019 3:31 pm
Replies: 5
by Greg6498 » Fri Sep 20, 2019 10:42 pm

First post

Hello all!
I have been observing for a couple of years and just upgraded my diagonal on my Celestron 180mm Maksutov to the Williams optics 2” SCT...

Last post

An ornamental thermometer...

5 Replies

124 Views

Last post by Arctic
Sat Sep 21, 2019 3:31 pm

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