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Posts Made By: Floyd Blue

June 18, 2007 08:09 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Re: Star Blast bearing failure

Posted By Floyd Blue
Hi Greg,
Well, Orion just might send you a new one, but then will the new one repeat the failure is the question?
If you were to replace it yourself, then a ball bearing will work fine. A ball bearing will take load forces in two directions and a needle bearing is made to take just pressure from the top, but it hold more uniformly to the track.
Either one will work, but the scope is light so a ball bearing might be the better choice.

June 21, 2007 07:24 PM Forum: Meade

Meade 127ED (APO) focuser replacement and Mod

Posted By Floyd Blue
Well, I got the chance to try out the new 10-1 William Optics reduction knob that I adapted to the Wyorock focuser on the 127ED (APO). It really works nicely and completes the modification f the scope nicely. What a difference 10-1 reduction makes when focusing at higher powers!

June 24, 2007 11:38 PM Forum: Eyepieces

Re: Loss of Contrast?!!

Posted By Floyd Blue
I have had something akin to that happen at star parties, it is called the nose print! wink Most definitely a loss of contrast. grin

June 26, 2007 03:51 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Side by side mount

Posted By Floyd Blue
After seeing Pat's new setup, I decided to make a side by side mounting plate for my LSD650 to mount my 127mm APO and the 80mm APO side by side instead of the 80mm on top.

I have been busy. I made a side by side mount for my LXD650 so the 127ED and the 80mm APO could be mounted side by side. This lightens the load by changing the moment of the center of gravity to a lower point.
Here is group of pictures showing the mount and how it works. What do you think?

It is easier to get to both scopes this way, but the balance is a bit different to set up. The 127mm is heavier than the 80mm. I did offset the 80mm so it would help with the balance side to side. It did help a bit, but I could not go to far or it might interfere with the movement and hit the tripod.

June 26, 2007 04:02 AM Forum: Telescope Making

Side by side mount

Posted By Floyd Blue
After seeing Pat's new side by side setup, I decided to give it a try and make a mounting plate for the 127mm APO and 80mm APO for the Meade LXD650 mount.

June 29, 2007 03:09 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

New grab and go

Posted By Floyd Blue
Well, on a whim I bought a Meade one armed fork mount for very little money and adapted it to a good tripod for a camera. The original tripod was not too stable to say the least and I did not trust it to hold my WO 80mm APO and not collapse! wink
Well, with a little work, I made a mounting bracket and a post for the bottom of the Meade mount head that fit the tripod compression fitting. Now it works pretty well, with some vibration but quick dampening times.
It handles 2" EPs like the 17mm Nagler without a problem.
Here is the finish product, it might weight 18-20 lbs.

June 29, 2007 05:18 PM Forum: Takahashi

Re: FSQ (NEW) & Scopeguard Case

Posted By Floyd Blue
You can certainly order the case too any spec you prefer. The standard case is probably set to the actual length of the tube itself.
I had a case made to length for my 127ED, so that I could have the diagonal and all in place. I could not afford to but the Scopeguard, so I bought a less expensive one from another company and it works well.

July 1, 2007 05:52 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Grab&Go completed

Posted By Floyd Blue
Hi all!
Well the Grab&Go is now finished. I made the EP, battery holder and tripod spreader plate yesterday.
Here are a set of pictures showing how it all works.
Hope you like it.

July 2, 2007 05:55 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Updated info on the Meade 2000 mount

Posted By Floyd Blue
Ok, I stated before that the mount would not reach zenith, but that was inaccurate. If warns to check the mount for clearance, but then will slew to the position if you tell it to continue.
Also, if you are using a short refractor like myself, then you can tell it that in the setup. I chose a 70mm scope with 700mm FL and it gave me fewer warnings. It seems that it has an idea of the clearance needed for that scope compared to the 5" reflector that my mount was using. So now it slews higher without a warning, though is still gives a warning when pointing to zenith.
I have no clearance problems with the 80mm F/6 scope now. smile

July 4, 2007 01:57 AM Forum: Eyepieces

Grab and Go EP Case

Posted By Floyd Blue
Well, with the new Grab and Go setup, I needed a Grab and Go EP case that would hold the right EPs for the 80mm APO for an evening of viewing.
I decided to use another of the small Rubbermaid 5 quart cooler that cost $8 at Wal-Mart. These are great for carrying things, well made, double wall and even insulated to keep the EPs from dewing up so quickly.
Thought I would post a picture of a finished one for those who might need something similar.
The plate is made of 3/16 press board and painted to make it look better.
In the case are 22mm & 12mm Naglers, 8mm,5mm,4mm,3.2mm B@/TMB Planetary EPs. This give a good range of power and FOV for the 80mm APO.

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