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Longer Thumb Screws

Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2019 1:34 am
by Don Quixote
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 little knurled thumb screws never seemed long enough and at times collided with one attachment or another.
I found a source of various lengths of assorted screws designed for the several thread combinations on my kit.
These screws are much easier to work with now and in cold weather with gloves they will become even more user friendly.
I can hear someone say, "they are way too long". Well...I have the next size shorted if these get in the way, but even the next size shorter is much better than the little fiddly ones that came with the original equipment.

I found these screws on "Scopestuff" for a few dollars. To me they are worth every penny.

Picture attached with red circle around my new thumb screws.

Cheers.

Re: Longer Thumb Screws

Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2019 1:50 am
by Bigzmey
Thanks for the tip Mark! I will check them out.

P.S. Your BBHS is looking good! :D

Re: Longer Thumb Screws

Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2019 2:38 am
by Juno16
Yes, thanks Mark!

Those screws would really help me get a good snug grip on my camera. I just checked it out and it should work well.
That is an ES compression ring, right? Can you send me a part#?

Thanks!

Jim

Re: Longer Thumb Screws

Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2019 3:03 am
by Don Quixote
Juno16 wrote: Tue Sep 10, 2019 2:38 am Yes, thanks Mark!

Those screws would really help me get a good snug grip on my camera. I just checked it out and it should work well.
That is an ES compression ring, right? Can you send me a part#?

Thanks!

Jim
Yes. And camera set up was one of the areas I found frustrating.

Part number for the ES thread is

SK4M4X25SS.

THEY ALSO HAVE SOME A BIT SHORTER.
BUT THESE REALLY LET ME GET A GRIP BEYOND THE CLOSE CAMERA MOUNTING.
Here is the link.
These are nice quality. The threads fit very nicely.

ScopeStuff
http://www.scopestuff.com/ss_scr1.htm

Re: Longer Thumb Screws

Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2019 3:08 am
by Don Quixote
Bigzmey wrote: Tue Sep 10, 2019 1:50 am Thanks for the tip Mark! I will check them out.

P.S. Your BBHS is looking good! :D
I put the link up for the thumb screws Andrey.

Yes the Baader diagonal is a piece of fine work.

It adds just a mm or two to optical train but everything comes to focus. And if I find one that needs a bit more in focus I will get a bit shorter extension tube to accommodate. So far no issue there.

This "click lock" mechanism has completely spoiled me. 😊

Re: Longer Thumb Screws

Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2019 1:16 pm
by Juno16
A big thank you Mark!

Funny that sometimes you don’t know what you are missing until someone shares a helpful tip!

Ordered this morning. I also ordered a ES finder to dslr mount adapter that I’ve been looking at for awhile.

Thanks again Mark!

Jim

Re: Longer Thumb Screws

Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2019 1:48 pm
by pakarinen
Looks like one or two would be a good addition to my compression ring back. I'm always confusing the compression screw with one of the two screws that hold the back in - Es no bueno.

Re: Longer Thumb Screws

Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2019 2:16 pm
by Don Quixote
Juno16 wrote: Tue Sep 10, 2019 1:16 pm A big thank you Mark!

Funny that sometimes you don’t know what you are missing until someone shares a helpful tip!

Ordered this morning. I also ordered a ES finder to dslr mount adapter that I’ve been looking at for awhile.

Thanks again Mark!

Jim
I am glad this was useful, Jim.
Scopestuff has an amazing variety of "stuff"...😊

Re: Longer Thumb Screws

Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2019 3:36 pm
by Juno16
Got the screws in today and they sure make a big difference in a secure camera mount!

I also ordered a ESFinder bracket to dslr shoe adapter. It also works well. Unfortunately, I can’t go under about 50 mm without starting to see the scope in the view. I will just have to try some wider field with my 55-200 zoom. Looking forward To trying it.

Thanks again!

Jim

Re: Longer Thumb Screws

Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2019 11:43 pm
by Ozypic
Yes their pretty crappy on my skywatcher. I put a slot in them and nip them up with a screwdriver but I just know I'll strip the thread eventually if I'm not carefull... that damn 2 inch diagonal weighs a bit and I just dread the thought of it dropping out Ha Ha ... Phill

Re: Longer Thumb Screws

Posted: Sat Sep 14, 2019 2:57 am
by Don Quixote
Ozypic wrote: Fri Sep 13, 2019 11:43 pm Yes their pretty crappy on my skywatcher. I put a slot in them and nip them up with a screwdriver but I just know I'll strip the thread eventually if I'm not carefull... that damn 2 inch diagonal weighs a bit and I just dread the thought of it dropping out Ha Ha ... Phill
I am ready for this Phill. I have some fine taps used in modeling. When the threads get wobbly I will tap to an M5 thread. 😊

Re: Longer Thumb Screws

Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2019 3:58 am
by gregl
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, knobs and handles. reidsupply.com
Also, there is the inimitable McMaster Carr, the mother of all hardware and industrial suppliers: mcmaster.com