Big Telescope Restoration: (PART 1) Garage Find, Neglected For Years (by Reflactor)

I restore a 12.5 inch TeleKit from AstroSystems. In this first of three videos, we do the following: #telescope #restoration
1) Restore the #telrad
2) Restore the QuickSwitch filter box
3) Restore the Crayford focuser
4) Clean the secondary mirror
5) Fix and improve the dust cover plate
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#restorationvideos #astrosystems #telekit #astronomy #Dobsonian #DIY
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#reflector
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@reflactor

[@AstronomyGarage]

What set of filters do you think I should put in the QuickSwitch slider?

[@tjzambonischwartz]

I would go with a UHC, O-III, and H-Beta.

[@leonardvorhis838]

A HEPA filter is always a good idea.

[@wattswheelhouse]

Smooth sailing on this restoration so far, no Wilhelm screams!

[@AstronomyGarage]

Hah! I've mostly retired that sound effect, lol.

[@wattswheelhouse]

@@AstronomyGarage sad days!

[@-vermin-]

I built the 16" Telekit in 2005. I spent quite a while getting a great finish. The instructions were very easy to follow. I added a feather-touch focuser, Argo Navis DSC, ServoCat tracking, motorised primary mirror cell for collimation at the ep as well as a rooster-tail table that bolted to the wheelbarrow handle T-nuts (these were added by Telekit in later models). It was an absolute joy to look at, and more importantly, through. However there was one major downfall of the Telekit. It was super heavy. Way heavier than it needed to be. I'm still remorseful about selling it though. Had some great nights with that scope.

[@AstronomyGarage]

I lifted the mirror box up onto the table last night to work on the mirror and it was irrationally heavy, lol. Mostly due to the mirror which is a whopping 2.5 inches thick.

[@zacharyhudson618]

Wow what a beautiful scope 🤩

[@AstronomyGarage]

It is built really well.

[@bierrollerful]

This is by far the comfiest astro channel there is.

[@AstronomyGarage]

Haha, thank you. That's one of the most unique adjectives I've ever heard.

[@craigsawyer6453]

It has been a day or two since I have seen one of these. Great memories - nice restoration so far.

[@AstronomyGarage]

I've been very impressed with this telescope so far.

[@dalefife9854]

I'm glad I stumbled onto this video! I'm actually completing an Astrosystems Telekit 12.5" F/4.8 It's interesting to compare your restoration to the current design. There have been some modifications but none are major refinements. I believe the difficulty you had in trying to remove the Quick Switch filter Slide was due to the double sided tape that is used on the upper cage - both top and bottom rings, struts and filter slide have double sided tape to affix the light baffle... Looking forward to the next video segment!

[@AstronomyGarage]

I am very impressed by this late 1990's Telekit, so I can only imagine what a modern one must be like. You are correct about the double-sided tape issue. It was very strong adhesive on that tape. I'm editing the next video right now. It'll be a week or so before I can do the last one because I had to order a few parts. Thank you for watching!

[@dalefife9854]

@@AstronomyGarage I'm looking forward to your next video/s as well as your thoughts on performance, once the restoration is complete. Telekit's are very robust telescopes. The majority of wood components are glued with a 2 part epoxy (slow setting) that is an incredible adhesive. Some of the more recent changes that come to mind are: 1.) The upper truss plates are now square which facilitates resting the cage on the truss poles more safely - 2.) The older style Crayford focuser was discontinued and Moonlite or Feathertouch are available - 3.) The older "seat-belt" type mirror sling was replaced with a stainless steel (coated) wire assembly - 4.) The ground board is now round and there is an option to have it powered for accessories I suspect Randy can provide any parts that may be needed for the restoration. The design is well thought out with hundreds of Telekits still in use. They are fairly heavy by todays standard of light-weight Dobsonians but I was more interested in a solid, robust scope that didn't act like a wind vane....

[@AstronomyGarage]

Randy has been very helpful! This is a rare restoration where I've been able to speak to the guy who designed it. I bought the power upgrade kit and a shroud (they will be here in a week or so). The original builder modified the support plate system, so I've had to reverse some of his changes. This restoration has been a bit tough because several of the small tasks ended up taking several hours out in the heat. Fortunately, most of the hard work is behind me now. I'm looking forward to using this! ONE NOTE: The collimation screw heads stick out the bottom and the original owner must've set that on the floor many times because it poked them up and into the mirror. If you have a chance, make sure that you modify the base in such a way that you can set it on the floor and not crush the collimation screw heads.

[@dalefife9854]

@@AstronomyGarage That's unfortunate on the collimation bolt issue. The ends of the collimation bolts are tapped for a #8 machine screw which connects the flotation pads on my mirror cell. Maybe that would be an upgrade/option on your restoration (unless they are already the same as mine). Good point on the mirror box sitting on the floor on it's collimation bolts. The mirror cell is recessed into the mirror box about .20" but I could see this being a problem if the collimation bolts are mostly disengaged getting dinged up....I think I'll add 4 rubber feet to the bottom of the mirror box to avoid this issue. Will just have to make sure there is enough clearance in the rocker box.

[@AstronomyGarage]

You are correct. The builder of this one modified it away from the bolts that are tapped and used a slightly different method, but I'm going back to the little tapped screws method. In theory, the mirror cell should be recessed at least a half inch or more to make up for the fully extended collimations screw heads. There's no reason for all that weight to be on the collimation screws. I have some wood legs I'm adding, but I'll have to modify the box a little bit.

[@Slartyfartblarst]

Great video! It would also be nice to know how you came by this lovely Dob. I can't wait for the next chapter.

[@AstronomyGarage]

A good magician never reveals his secrets. I'm not a magician though. I bought it at an estate sale.

[@UserMum7512]

Looks like this telescope fell into the right hands and that makes me happy :)

[@AstronomyGarage]

It's been a lot of fun so far. Thank you for watching!

[@TheStevecas9860]

Ha ha, best thumbnail so far John!

[@AstronomyGarage]

Haha, thanks. I had some fun with this one.

[@Stephen-gp8yi]

Well done on 10k the content is superb🤙🏻

[@AstronomyGarage]

Thank YOU for watching!

[@dbgarlisch]

Restorations are the best. It is so cathartic watching something broken become functional again!

[@AstronomyGarage]

Restorations are a lot of fun to do too. Thank you for watching. Clear skies!

[@danmcrae6616]

Very interesting video, looking forward to seeing the finished product. I have a 20 yr old Obsession 18" that is starting to show its age a bit so some of these tips will be useful. Your choice of filters is interesting, on that size scope I would of swapped out the color filters for UHC and OIII filters.

[@AstronomyGarage]

I was thinking about that, but the 48mm seems to be abstrange size.

[@johngiromini5745]

John, glad to see all the views and comments. Some similar features to the other DOB from south FW. The primary.mirror is configured like an Obsession except Obsession uses a wire hanger as opposed to the woven belt in this one. I like this method better.

[@AstronomyGarage]

Hi John, thanks, this is another very nice wooden truss Dob although it doesn't have the connection to John Dobson himself (that I know of). The belt idea is interesting because it's just like the one in the John Dobson documentary.

[@curronhill2744]

Nice video

[@notmyname327]

Yay a new Reflactor video! And it's a restorations series!! And it's a big dobsonian!! This will be so good!

[@AstronomyGarage]

Should have it finished this week :)

[@lastsonofkrypton3918]

These are my favorite! *grabs popcorn * 🥳

[@AstronomyGarage]

Haha, they are a lot of fun to work on. Thank YOU for watching!

[@ericbarnett6771]

I'm not really a Dob fan. I'm more of a refractor kind of guy. I just don't have the space for one in an 850 sq. ft. condo. But, watching this restoration had me dreaming of a place big enough for such a beast. That truly is a beautiful telescope.

[@AstronomyGarage]

I completely understand. Generally speaking, I have to eventually find new owners for my biggest Dobsonians just because I don't have the storage space. The 8 inch Dobsonian seems to be the ideal solution (and the one I use the most). When stored vertically, it takes up very little space. It's big enough to capture a ton of light and still be carryable by one person.

[@RoofMonkey911]

This restoration video has renewed my SO wanting a telekit for my old 13.1” coulter. May just have to contact Randy at Astrosystems!

[@AstronomyGarage]

Please let him know I sent you! :) Randy has been very helpful with some technical questions that I've had.

[@TheStevecas9860]

Fantastic restoration John I love the filter system I will look into how to do it on my 12-inch dob!

[@AstronomyGarage]

I think they make rotary versions of these that fit into existing modern telescopes. They use 1.25 inch filters which are much cheaper.

[@TheStevecas9860]

@@AstronomyGarage I have many 1.25 and 48mm I just love the slider it is so simple!

[@ptonpc]

That is nice :)

[@AstronomyGarage]

Thanks for watching!

[@StuffyToaster]

Another great video. I too would be interested in how you came by such a find.

[@AstronomyGarage]

I found this one at an estate sale last year.

[@leonardvorhis838]

Nova Optics' primaries are high quality mirrors. The secondary mirror is likely also high quality. So the primary is marked with date of manufacture, focal length or focal ratio? With a F/5 system or longer a Parracor is not necessarily required. F/5+ also allows smaller secondaries which improves system contrast. The F/4.8 is right there. Thnx for vids. L

[@AstronomyGarage]

For the age, the mirror was in great shape.

[@deltacx1059]

Would love to test one if these for astrophotography, it would ve brute forcing it so much.

[@AstronomyGarage]

I'm looking forward to testing it.

[@janomacko5764]

Big mirrors gather not only a lot of light, but a lot of dust too :-)

[@AstronomyGarage]

That's a fact!

[@RKClements]

How about adding some small magnets to hold that little white cover in place a bit more securely?

[@AstronomyGarage]

You are reading my mind! Over the weekend I tied the handles together with just enough rope so it couldn't fall off and damage the mirror. I have some small magnets on order. :)

[@JoeJaguar]

John why is that people always drop stuff on your sidewalk? LOL. BTW that sliding filter focuser is something i haven't seen.

[@AstronomyGarage]

Haha, I'm just very lucky? (I bought this from an estate sale)

[@JoeJaguar]

@@AstronomyGarage great find im looking for a cheap 16 dob if i find

[@AnotherAmateurAstronomer]

Neat!

[@Dark-Light828]

Does that collimation laser have a bullseye target on it? I’m curious if it functions differently.

[@AstronomyGarage]

No, just a simple laser. It has a 2 inch barrel and a 1.25 inch barrell.

[@Dark-Light828]

@@AstronomyGarage in that case how is Collimation confirmed? With no target to align with how does this design work?

[@AstronomyGarage]

@@Dark-Light828 That's a good question. It is only used to line up the secondary with the primary. Normally I'd say that the final step has to be done "by eye" (with a helper). However, this is such a big open truss, that you could probably see the return dot on the secondary mirror. In theory, adjust the primary collimation screws until the two dots meet in the middle of the secondary mirror. I'll give that a try once I'm done with the restoration.

[@ivolol]

Why did you paint the middle handle white? Won't that have a chance of reflecting more incident light when using the restricted mirror?

[@AstronomyGarage]

Good question. When I first made it, it wasn't connected by rope, so it would be completely gone. I guess with the rope, it can't go far and could possibly reflect some light (especially on a bright moon). I'll test it out. If that's the case, I'll paint it flat black too.

[@dantexas4571]

I can't believe someone would just leave that on the sidewalk!

[@AstronomyGarage]

Hahahaha