Focuser Knobs

[LDW47]

Can I buy refractor replacement focuser knobs similar to the Bob’s Knobs that apparently have gone down the tubes ? Thanx !

[Doug James]

Check this site you may get lucky. https://www.highpointscientific.com/brands/bobs-knobs

[Voyageur]

You could try scopestuff http://www.scopestuff.com/

[LDW47]

I have tried all those sites plus some, its the focuser knobs that they used to make to up grade the existing that I am looking for not the mirror collimation knobs that they still make. I am looking for an alternate company that hopefully makes similar. Clear Skies !

[pakarinen]

I'd think MCMaster-Carr would have something usable:

https://www.mcmaster.com/

[Lady Fraktor]

You can have a machine shop make some for you, they should not be that expensive.
Jim at Scopestuff has a machine shop so may be willing to make something if he has the time.

[GCoyote]

Can I buy refractor replacement focuser knobs similar to the Bob’s Knobs that apparently have gone down the tubes ? Thanx !

Is the plastic knob the only part broken or is there more damage?

Do you have a picture?

[LDW47]

You can have a machine shop make some for you, they should not be that expensive.
Jim at Scopestuff has a machine shop so may be willing to make something if he has the time.

Unless it is a small in home machine shop you probably don’t want to know the cost to make small parts like that, they are in it to make $ and there is no profit in those one time projects. Its not even thinkable, lol ! Clear Skies !

[LDW47]

Can I buy refractor replacement focuser knobs similar to the Bob’s Knobs that apparently have gone down the tubes ? Thanx !

Is the plastic knob the only part broken or is there more damage?

Do you have a picture?

The existing aren’t broken, I just want to up grade them to a much better, all metal, machined set of knobs like we do with a lot of accessories and that I have done on several of my scopes both refractors and one 6” dob ! Clear Skies !

[Lady Fraktor]

You can have a machine shop make some for you, they should not be that expensive.
Jim at Scopestuff has a machine shop so may be willing to make something if he has the time.

Unless it is a small in home machine shop you probably don’t want to know the cost to make small parts like that, they are in it to make $ and there is no profit in those one time projects. Its not even thinkable, lol ! Clear Skies !

I use a local milling shop for many things, I posted a brass 2"- 1.25" adapter I had made, 2 actually and they were cheaper than buying standard aluminium.
Guess I am in a good location for this type of thing

[LDW47]

You can have a machine shop make some for you, they should not be that expensive.
Jim at Scopestuff has a machine shop so may be willing to make something if he has the time.

Unless it is a small in home machine shop you probably don’t want to know the cost to make small parts like that, they are in it to make $ and there is no profit in those one time projects. Its not even thinkable, lol ! Clear Skies !

I use a local milling shop for many things, I posted a brass 2"- 1.25" adapter I had made, 2 actually and they were cheaper than buying standard aluminium.
Guess I am in a good location for this type of thing

You sure are, in my city of 50,000 with a limited number of small machine shops they don’t even want to talk to you about these small jobs. Unfortunately all the machinists that I knew at the railways, mining companies etc that would have turned me some of those knobs have long retired ! Some of the perils of getting older, you buddies did to, lol ! Clear Skies !

[JayTee]

Are you averse to a little DIY project? If not, let me know and you're also not too picky on the looks of the outcome.

Cheers,
JT

[LDW47]

Are you averse to a little DIY project? If not, let me know and you're also not too picky on the looks of the outcome.

Cheers,
JT

Let me think about that ! Clear Skies !

[JayTee]

Just to make sure my DIY is appropriate, are you looking to make your focuser knob larger so you can get more precise movement from it to get a more accurate focus?

JT

[LDW47]

Just to make sure my DIY is appropriate, are you looking to make your focuser knob larger so you can get more precise movement from it to get a more accurate focus?

JT

Yes the Bob’s Knobs are about 1”- 1.5” !

[Lady Fraktor]

For those who have not seen/ heard these before they were available mostly 90s-2000s and were designed to help balance long focal length or larger 6"-8" refractors.
These are the ones that were available through Orion and most just looked like the solid ones.Typically made of aluminium, steel or brass.
They came in 1", 1.5", 2" usually though some had sizes in between those.

[LDW47]

For those who have not seen/ heard these before they were available mostly 90s-2000s and were designed to help balance long focal length or larger 6"-8" refractors.
These are the ones that were available through Orion and most just looked like the solid ones.Typically made of aluminium, steel or brass.
They came in 1", 1.5", 2" usually though some had sizes in between those.


A0036_mm.jpg

Thats the question ! Where are they now ? The past doesn’t count in my case ! Clear Skies !

[Lady Fraktor]

Occasionally a set will come up for sale at CN, maybe put a want ad up there.
There are members here and at CN that own lathes, you could also ask if someone wants to make a set.

[kt4hx]

I don't know if either of the two at the below link will work for you, but thought I'd toss them out for your consideration. They are getting difficult to find nowadays except on the used market, but even there not frequently. So many folks have gone to dual-speed designs nowadays that I think the market for those knobs was shrinking. As a last resort one could take a knob to a machinist shop and discuss with them what you need and they should be able to fabricate a nice knurled one out of aluminum or brass. Or fashion one yourself if you have the tools.

http://starlightinstruments.com/store/i ... ry&path=45

[LDW47]

I don't know if either of the two at the below link will work for you, but thought I'd toss them out for your consideration. They are getting difficult to find nowadays except on the used market, but even there not frequently. So many folks have gone to dual-speed designs nowadays that I think the market for those knobs was shrinking. As a last resort one could take a knob to a machinist shop and discuss with them what you need and they should be able to fabricate a nice knurled one out of aluminum or brass. Or fashion one yourself if you have the tools.

http://starlightinstruments.com/store/i ... ry&path=45

Did you read my posts above about having them machined in my fair city ? The few shops that are here are so busy fabricating that they won’t even take the time to talk about those small jobs, believe me I have had that experience with other small projects ! As I said all my friends that were machinists at the railways, the mining industry etc. have long retired as I have, we are all in our 70’s, lol ! Clear Skies !