What's e best mate for an AstroSlew?

rlow · Post by **rlow** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 1:29 pm

Wee Nghee, nice job on the CG5 adaptor. If you want to retain the wood grain, just clear polyurethane finish would do, like the Obsession.

I am thinking of making teak or NATO wood (a quality hard wood from indonesia) spacer in the near future for every new Astroslew-III made.

You probably meant 'nyatoh'. But actually, future Astroslews just need a wider azimuth base plate for better fit on surveyor tripods. Vixen and CG5 tripods do require a spacer/adapter plate though.

ariefm71 · Post by **ariefm71** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 1:41 pm

I am thinking of making teak or NATO wood (a quality hard wood from indonesia) spacer in the near future for every new Astroslew-III made.

You will need to apply several coats of outdoor finishes to make the wood waterproof, ordinary polyurethane will not hold up in the long run. Why not using aluminum disc?

denebman · Post by **denebman** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 6:01 pm

ariefm71 wrote:
I am thinking of making teak or NATO wood (a quality hard wood from indonesia) spacer in the near future for every new Astroslew-III made.
You will need to apply several coats of outdoor finishes to make the wood waterproof, ordinary polyurethane will not hold up in the long run. Why not using aluminum disc?

Good idea. I have another thought to use perforated titanium that doesn't require surface treatment. It is within my reach now and will soon be used in the 4-inch version of Astroslew-III.

rlow · Post by **rlow** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 6:12 pm

Good idea. I have another thought to use perforated titanium that doesn't require surface treatment. It is within my reach now and will soon be used in the 4-inch version of Astroslew-III.

Wow! How much is that titanium Astroslew going to cost?

denebman · Post by **denebman** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 9:30 pm

Both friction disks and alt-az shafts will be made of titanium, the rest will still be a solid piece of aluminium alloy. The cost may not be too high.

mrngbss · Post by **mrngbss** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 9:33 pm

Does it mean that there will be a slight difference in colour, tone between the friction disks and the rest of the mount?

Will a 4mm teflon be used? Just wondering if there will be an differences? If not why choose a 3mm when 1 or 2mm is already feasible?

denebman · Post by **denebman** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 10:03 pm

Yes, there will be obvious difference in color as titanium adds lots of gray tone.

I will not use 4mm teflon pad, the thinner the better. I recommend to use 1 or 2 mm thickness with some teflon grease applied evenly on the friction face.