Small mod on 5" Skywatcher OTA secondary collimation screws

Here is the place to talk about all those equipment(Telescope, Mounts, Eyepieces, etc...) you have. Not sure which scope/eyepiece is best for you? Trash it out here!
Post Reply
depardeuz
Posts: 87
Joined: Sun Sep 02, 2012 1:17 am
Favourite scope: 60x 80mm Spotting Scope
Location: Toa Payoh

Small mod on 5" Skywatcher OTA secondary collimation screws

Post by depardeuz »

Just some small mod I finally did on my Newtonian OTA secondary collimation screws. Sharing this here just for kicks [smilie=evil-smile.gif]

Bought 3 x M5 socket screw caps from Fan Sheng (located along King George's Ave, opposite People's Assoc HQ).
Image

Image

They will need to be tapped by a hammer to affix. Try to use a piece of cloth while tapping to prevent damage on your M5 socket screw leading track.

Image

Now the 5" Skywatcher OTA has become tool free collimation tube! :)

The distance between each cap is about 10mm. But due to the spaces around the 3 x screws, most fingers can access and turn the screws without much trouble or fear of getting stuck inbetween the screws.

Each plastic cap costs $1.50; one M5 socket screw costs about $0.70.
Seize the day!
User avatar
Gary
Posts: 3790
Joined: Tue Sep 30, 2003 7:06 am
Location: Toa Payoh
Contact:

Re: Small mod on 5" Skywatcher OTA secondary collimation scr

Post by Gary »

Good stuff! Thanks for sharing your research and DIY.
http://www.astro.sg
email: gary[at]astro.sg
twitter: @astrosg


"The importance of a telescope is not how big it is, how well made it is.
It is how many people, less fortunate than you, got to look through it."
-- John Dobson.
depardeuz
Posts: 87
Joined: Sun Sep 02, 2012 1:17 am
Favourite scope: 60x 80mm Spotting Scope
Location: Toa Payoh

Re: Small mod on 5" Skywatcher OTA secondary collimation scr

Post by depardeuz »

@gary: Thanks!!

@Mystiq,

I discovered that last night while changing out the screws. I was using socket screw for a while. Same thing. I guess the inner threads and the screw threads are ultimately not in perfect fit. I took out my secondary mirror and used the stock collimation screw to clear the inner thread of the metal bits hidden inside. Kinda like doing a "pull through" macam rifle cleaning.
Seize the day!
ggodetucsamoht
Posts: 88
Joined: Sun Jul 31, 2011 9:17 pm
Location: Woodlands

Re: Small mod on 5" Skywatcher OTA secondary collimation scr

Post by ggodetucsamoht »

I just found I have 2 similar screws on my telrad base. Anyone with this finder can check it out for sampling.....
Post Reply