TELESCOPE Crayford Focuser Restoration (by Reflactor)

We restore a wrecked Crayford focuser from an 8 inch Dobsonian telescope. Including wrecked metal threads, missing grips, missing screws, and friction adjustment.
#crayford #telescope #restoration #reflactorguy
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//Crayford Focuser History Video: • TELESCOPE Crayford Foc...
KZbin NOTES:
1) This video complies with the KZbin Community Guidelines.
2) The soundtrack in this video was used with permission from my video editing suite, Camtasia.
2) This video does not contain any controversial material, does not show children, and does not contain any vulgar language.
Questions Answered:
1) How do I fix damaged threads on my focuser tube?
2) How do I replace the grips on my telescope focuser knobs?
3) How to I fix the rotted or rotting grips treads on my telescope?
#diy #repair #focuser #knobs #orion #reflactor #reflector

[@johngiromini5745]

It amazes me that the device appears to work so well. You did an outstanding job on the repair; I'm sure Mark will be more than happy with the results.

[@AstronomyGarage]

Thank you for watching. This was a fun one to restore.

[@Stephen-gp8yi]

I’ve seen them selling at 200 pounds new depending on which brand name on eBay!great fix as always!

[@AstronomyGarage]

Wow! Prices for these are skyrocket.

[@deepskymike767]

Top work once again 👍

[@Stephen-gp8yi]

@@AstronomyGarage hi John sorry to bother you but I looked at a star tonight for first time with 8inch dob and svbony 20mm uw eyepiece.when I focused the best I could there were four spikes like an x may have been two more shorter ones but not certain is that good or is collimation required thanks.

[@AstronomyGarage]

It's not too uncommon to see those spikes. They're called "diffraction spikes" and are common for reflector style telescopes. There is one spike for every arm on the secondary mirror (sortof, it's complicated... for example, three arms will show six spikes). Here's a great explanation of them: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diffraction_spike

[@Stephen-gp8yi]

@@AstronomyGarage thanks I thought maybe my scope needed collimation but now I know it’s ok.i used 7mm eyepiece to look at star and I could see yellow orange and blue.wish I knew which star it was! Maybe vega as it was the brightest in bottle 8!

[@jons2447]

Hello, Mr. Dreese; Another great video, "THANK YOU!" I just bought a new Crayford focuser for my Orion 6" mini-Dob on ebay, $90US. I'm waiting for delivery to see how it looks & works. Have a GREAT day, Neighbor!

[@AstronomyGarage]

I wish you the best of luck with your new Crayford! I think it'll provide good service for years.

[@OldCurmudgeon3DP]

Thanks for the repair tips. Barring the availability of a non-metallic bolt hiding in a bin, Ace Hardware might have them. If clearances permit, another (janky) solution could be to use a metal bolt & glue a piece of plastic to the end. My 10" Apertura has been in the box since Dec '23 due to life & weather conflicts. The way things are going it may be Galaxy season before I can contemplate an unboxing video.

[@AstronomyGarage]

Thank you for the tip. As a guy who worked at Ace Hardware for many years, I appreciate their mention. :) I look forward to your unboxing video about the 10 inch Apertura. As far as Dobsonians go, the Apertura brand now sets the standard. Orion revamped their line and I think it went the wrong way from their previous XT series.

[@jeremylastname873]

Good work! FYI: Thread chasing files just need to match the thread pitch. Diameter is of no concern to the file.

[@AstronomyGarage]

Now that you've said that, it seems obvious, lol. I feel silly for thinking I needed a huge one. Hahaha. Oh well. That's why I'm not a machinist. :)

[@FlippinSensation]

This video helped me realize that readjusting the base plate set screw on my used xt8 was all that I needed to do to get the focuser to work. Thanks man!

[@AstronomyGarage]

I'm glad the video was able to help. Clear skies!

[@stupido5944]

You never fail to make me laugh with those little funny bits in your vids John. As soon as I saw you gliding across the screen and the light falling that was it for me. Anyways very informative and nice vid. Clear skies!!

[@AstronomyGarage]

Thank YOU for watching. Hope it was helpful. :)

[@AnotherAmateurAstronomer]

Outstanding work, as usual!

[@AstronomyGarage]

Thanks! This was a fun one.

[@10intexas]

John, Literally the only channel I resist hitting the SKIP button...and wait for the little clock to go all the way around!

[@AstronomyGarage]

Thank you for the kind words! I hope it was helpful. :)

[@JoeJaguar]

John your channel could be called the fix it telescope channel, thanks again. i wish i knew back in 2019 when my skywatcher focuser 100ED totally broke i just sold it for $60 cdn got a new one

[@AstronomyGarage]

Haha, thanks. Ouch that sounds like an expensive broken telescope! I, too, have broken an expensive telescope. Very frustrating. I sold the carcass for $100 (minus shipping).

[@JoeJaguar]

@@AstronomyGarage I could’ve sent you the focus and you could’ve fixed it. Oh well too late now for the next time.

[@haranramachandran4843]

thank you for the video showing how to tighten the tension screw of the focuser. I was able to immediately put that to use with my 8 inch dobsonion. I also enjoyed the video about John Wall and his contribution.

[@AstronomyGarage]

Thanks for watching! I'm glad the video was helpful. Agreed, John Wall was certainly an interesting guy.

[@hednik]

This was fantastic work!

[@AstronomyGarage]

Thank you for watching. Clear skies!

[@Slartyfartblarst]

I love that O-ring fix.

[@AstronomyGarage]

It works surprisingly well.

[@timkellaway8992]

Great, so useful I think I can fix mine now- I thought I had to buy a new one. Thank you. So glad I found your channel

[@AstronomyGarage]

Thanks for watching the channel - hopefully you'll find even more helpful videos. Feel free to subscribe for notifications of the next video. :)

[@OLahh29]

Amazing work John! Appreciate all the help that you do for those that are needing help or guidance with their new found scope and hobby. 🤝👏

[@AstronomyGarage]

Thank you for watching! Clear skies.

[@OLahh29]

@@AstronomyGaragesaw this tonight John. What do you think that was 😮 kzbin.infoYWaOHPS6vSU?si=vu0nDXLLBS1j8cVH

[@walterlewis1029]

John you are a wizard.Awesome Job!!!!

[@AstronomyGarage]

Haha, no, I'm just a cheapskate! (Thank you for the kind words though). Clear skies!

[@ericfrizzell2450]

You have too make sure the focus wheel center bar is totally flush with the draw tube.you can see where it wears on the flat part.usually on the sides.you have to sand it perfectly flat and then it works like a dream. Clear skies

[@AstronomyGarage]

This is a good tip. I had to do this on a Crayford a while back. It had deep gouges on the flat part.

[@perry92964]

the o ring fix is ok but i would try to fine some rc tires, they might cost a little more but they would look nicer. also maybe its the mechanical side of me but im not seeing the metal on metal moving the tube, there is not thin rubber sleeve or shrink tube on the axle?

[@AstronomyGarage]

RC tires sounds like an interesting alternate fix! I think there are many things that might work - even some of those silicone wrist-bands that people use. Regarding the mechanics of how a Crayford works, I think it's the extreme pressure (relatively speaking) that the axle exerts on the tube (note that where the axle rubs has been machined flat). With a heavy enough eyepiece, it will slide though. I have an older Crayford (1998) that does have a rubber sleeve on the axle, but it crumbled away - I had to use some new tubing to fix it.

[@adventuresofanamateurastro804]

Great job!

[@AstronomyGarage]

Thank you for watching - I appreciate your feedback!

[@Will_Nis]

I'm not an audiophile, but the sound was fine for me up until just past the 15 minute mark, when you made the note that you switched. I was watching this without headphones, just using my phone's speakers.

[@AstronomyGarage]

Thank you for the comment. With headphones, the new microphone sounds a bit muffled, with much of the treble cut off. I've not listened to this video with regular speakers though.

[@Will_Nis]

I tried with earbuds just now and for me with the microphone it sounds cleaner. Like I said, not an audiophile 🙂 but it seems echo-y past the 15 minute mark and on the error message video you posted a little while back. Just my 2 cents 🙂

[@kiscsigabee]

Hi John, excellent video as always! I just happen to have some issues with my own Crayford focuser: 1) When I attach a DSLR, sometimes it cannot move, the focuser just slips through. I though I am going to need buy a rack and pinion type focuser. Now I know how to tighten it, I am going to try that next time. Thx! 2) I have a Baader Coma Corrector with some extension tubes (diameter of 44mm) that I sink into the focuser, but it does not tightly fit in the 2'' adapter. As a quick and dirty solution, I just wrapped the extension tubes with insulating tape to fit into the 2'' adapter, but it is far from ideal. I saw on the net that there are some 2'' adapters with tension rings from brass. Can it be made DIY? Maybe you have some great idea how to solve the problem more elegantly? Cheers from Switzerland!

[@AstronomyGarage]

A DSLR is a heavy beast and will really push the boundary of what friction can hold in place on the tube. I don't know of any DIY compression holders for 2 inchers. I have a compression (spin tight) for 1.25 eyepieces an it works great. Unfortunately, they aren't cheap.

[@Sal-e9k]

I came across this video and hope you may be able to help me or point me in the right direction to resolve with my telescope focuser. I have a 30 year old Celestron C4.5 Reflector and the focuser pinon broke at side outside of the housing. I would like to ask you if there is a way to repair or replace this focuser pinon or do I need to replace the complete focuser assembly. Looking forward to your response as I view your other videos, thank you Sal

[@AstronomyGarage]

Hi Sal, thank you for posting. It sounds like one whole knob side of the pinion axle broke off? That might be tough to fix unless you have access to a welder, but even then it's so thin that it might not work. The best solution might be to replace the focuser with a used one (at CloudyNights.org) or a new one from the likes of alibaba. Feel free to send a photo of your disassembled focuser to me at: JJDreese (at) yahoo dot com. Please sound that out before typing because I've replaced the period with the word "dot".

[@millenialfalcon8243]

👍

[@AstronomyGarage]

Thank you fro the thumbs up!

[@millenialfalcon8243]

@reflactor Big fan of used scopes and tinkering with them... just not enough time to do it. Do you have experience getting a mirror recoated? Just picked up a 16" Meade StarFinder Dob for $500. Not horrible, but mirror could use a fresh coat. Any suggestions at a good price?

[@AstronomyGarage]

That's an incredible deal for a 16 inch telescope! I've had my 12 inch mirror and the diagonal recoated. The best place to go is Majestic Optical, run by Jeff Decker out of Ruckersville, Virginia. Do a Google search for his current contact info. His turnaround time was amazing, like two weeks?

[@Jbpipesandmufflers]

For these fine awkward threats. If you have a tap for id thread. You could use that to gently scrape the threads. Of better. Use a lathe if you have acces. And let the tap follow the trheat by hand.. dont power it on. Buy rotate and follow it. Carefully.

[@lastsonofkrypton3918]

Nice work. Prefer the old mic, this one sounds a bit muffled.

[@AstronomyGarage]

Thank you for the feedback. I agree with you. I had some mixed feedback. Some listeners said it sounded okay on speakers, but it was really muffled on headphones. I only use headphones, so it ended up being muffled.

[@lastsonofkrypton3918]

@@AstronomyGarage Yes, I should have mentioned I am using headphones as well. Keep up the great work! 👍

[@deltacx1059]

I have that style on my homemade refractor and dang they are annoying to mount, there is seemingly no real way to mount them properly.

[@landtechnik4k]

Sound got worse somehow.

[@AstronomyGarage]

Thank you. That's the feedback I need. These new microphones got great reviews, but they just didn't live up to the hype. I'll switch back to the standard phone microphone.

[@wattswheelhouse]

Definitely a bit of clipping there. Sounds like it's just the gain being set too high.

[@landtechnik4k]

@@AstronomyGarage Hi Reflactor, yes unfortunate there are some crackling and Fuzzy noises. Also your overal Volume seems a bit muted. Maybe its worth mentioning i was listening over my big Speakers (stereo) Ill bet on Headphones you hear more of that crackling too. The Old Sound was Fine for me to be Honest. It was quite good actually. ;) Have a nice week.

[@AstronomyGarage]

I'm going back to my original smartphone microphone (the good one).

[@landtechnik4k]

@@AstronomyGarage dont worry the Quality, your Videos are excellent since the beginning.