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RICHARD COFER

VdB 141 Ghost Nebula

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Posts Made By: Bernard Kean

April 24, 2004 06:34 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

My next project along with fans..

Posted By Bernard Kean
Ron, have you used the Majik Sliders? I had the same problem in a 8" Hardin and I added the sliders next to the original teflon pads and just enough milk jug washers to support weight in the middle and it moves pretty go now. If you have all this gunk on there you might try just cleaning it all off before making any changes.
Buck

April 25, 2004 06:15 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Side fans....

Posted By Bernard Kean
Hey Ron
My Uncle used to do a lot of cabinetry and he would say that everytime he cut that board it was still to short...ha. Measure twice and cut once.
I still have my fingers too
Buck

April 30, 2004 01:06 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Vent covers

Posted By Bernard Kean
Hey Ron
Try searching for computer fan filters. Here is one http://tinyurl.com/3xt7u
Some screw right to the unused mount holes and others snap on. I'm not sure about stopping much light but they should stop the bugs and the larger stuff. these look like they have the low resistance foam like used in furnace filters.
Hope this helps.

May 3, 2004 11:14 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

shipping an OTA

Posted By Bernard Kean
Hi Doug
I was in the biz for many years and the advise the others have given is good. Bubble wrap the item with at least a few layers (more is better), then put it in a box and fill in the extra space with loose fill (peanuts)making sure you have peanuts on all sides and bottom, them over fill the top by about 1 inch or 1.5 inches, then squeeze the flaps shut so the loose fill all locks togather (this is important so the item does not giggle around and migrate to the bottom. Tape the center seam and side seams of the flaps. Now drop that box inside a larger box that that will give you at least 2 inches of room on all sides, top and bottom (If the item is heavy or very valuable a double wall box is better) and fill with loose fill and over fill. Double tape ALL seams (center and side seam of flaps).
The reason for all this is obviously is to protect the item but double boxing is about the only way you have a chance of winning a claim is there is a problem in shipment with any of the major carriers.
Hope this helps
Buck

May 12, 2004 12:21 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Question about 2"->1.25" adaptor

Posted By Bernard Kean
Hi Duane
I wouldn't normally consider the adapter as part of a TV85 OTA. If the adapter is the same brand as the diagonal it would be much easier to sell with the diagonal and price accordingly, if it is not the same brand than sell as a seperate line item.
Hope this helps
Buck

May 14, 2004 03:07 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Best mount for Televue 85 ?

Posted By Bernard Kean
Hi Dave
You will have some problem getting to Zenith with the Gibraltar, however you can limit it to about the last 1 or 2 degrees if you add a riser block between the cradle and the scope ring. I made one for my TV85/Gibraltar combo and I think it was about 3/4" thick and this will still leave the center of the scope just at or just below the centerline of the ALT bearings. If center of the scope gets much above the center of the ALT bearings it it shifts the center of gravity above the ALT bearing an it does funny things to the balance when using large heavy eyepieces. Getting to exact zenith isn't usually a big problem because all you have to do is wait a few minutes and the target mill move off zenith.
Hope this helps
Buck
PS the Gibraltar will hold the TV85 very well and can take larger scopes if you get the fever.

May 14, 2004 03:52 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Adding Ebony Star question?

Posted By Bernard Kean
Dang it, I mashed the wrong key and didn't get the question in there. So the question is should the thin laminate be removed before glueing the Ebony Star to the underside of the rocker box, or is it ok to just glue over it, provided it is still firmly attached? Cheap dob so I'm not going to loose much sleep if I do it wrong.
Buck

May 16, 2004 02:04 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Hardin 6" Dob Question

Posted By Bernard Kean
Hi Tim
If yours is made anything like my older 8" DSH, there should be a plastic spacer and washer that should go over the screw. The plastic spacer 1" long and is about 9/16" dia. and stepped down to about 3/8" dia. and provides a surface for the upper spring to mount over. Do you have these parts installed?
Hope this helps
Buck

May 28, 2004 06:22 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Tear-out designer foam

Posted By Bernard Kean
Bob
Do a Google Search for "pluck foam" and you will find more places to find this stuff than you will ever need. Pelican makes replacement sets for all their cases and www.casesbypelican.com/foam.htm has the polyethelene foam also which is closed cell and much firmer than polyurethene.
Hope this helps
Buck

May 29, 2004 09:01 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Plans for making an observing chair

Posted By Bernard Kean
Hi Tom
Must be a run on observing chairs, another site I read has just discussed chairs. A very easy to make and very inexpensive chair is the Denver Chair. Do a Google search and you will get many sites with instructions and plans. Just a few hand tools, a 2x4 8', some simple hardware is all you need. Minde you it isn't as pretty most of the others but you can't beat the price. If you break it or loose it, it's no big deal, if you don't like it you can burn it in the morning to warm up.
Buck

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