Telescope Gears Damaged? Focuser Missing Teeth? Easy FIX anybody can do at home (by Reflactor)

Stripped gears on a telescope focuser tube is probably one of the most common types of damage. Fortunately, the fix is pretty easy. In this video, I show you a home-grown method that takes about 10 minutes.
#telescope #damaged #gears
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//HOW TO FIX AN UNBALANCED TELESCOPE //
• Video
KZbin NOTES:
1) This video complies with the KZbin Community Guidelines and Terms of Service.
2) Soundtracks used with permission from my video editor, Camtasia
3) Vine Boom used under paid license from Bluezone Corporation.
4) This video does not contain any children, offensive material or language.
Questions Answered In This Video?
1) How do I fix stripped teeth?
2) How do I fix a broken telescope?
3) How do I fix a broken focuser tube?
Summary:
This video shows you how to fix a damaged focuser tube on a telescope
Disclosures: Some links in the description are affiliate links that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a tiny commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

[@nicolasmariotti]

This looks like a great fix. I might now be able to fix my old telescope. It didn't fall, but during a cold night the grease of the focuser got too thick and I didn't realize how much force was put on the plastic rack... Thanks! But if the rack is made out of metal and held by screws, isn't it possible to buy a new metal rack?

[@reflactor]

In theory, yes you should be able to replace just the gear rack, but in practice getting one just the right length with just the right gear ratio is difficult. It's cheaper to buy a new/used focuser tube. Or file it and use some food tubing.

[@zurbannsaito1984]

What size horse pump maybe same my Celestron AstroMaster be fit

[@reflactor]

I'm afraid I don't know what a horse pump is.

[@kamilmoucka6811]

If I could, I would print a new belt on a 3D printer and replace it with the defective one.🙂

[@reflactor]

I would love to do that, but it requires skills that I don't have. :) Clear skies!

[@its_not_me999]

What is meant by "food grade" tubing? Will any plastic tubing work?

[@reflactor]

It's a clear somewhat flexible tubing sold at hardware stores in the plumbing area. Any plastic that is grippy or not hard will work.

[@its_not_me999]

Thanks!

[@ronfreeman4049]

I have a Luvoni telescope that has this issue. Is there some website where I can order the new part?

[@reflactor]

The first step is to contact Luvoni and ask if they'll sell you a spare part. After that, you'll either have to either 3D print it or order it from an online supplier or buy a used broken unit.

[@mindyindyindy4811]

I didn't have the time or tools to do this for an Orion Starblast focuser but I did find that replacing one of the plastic spacers on the tube with a strip of felt (aka moleskin) got the rack teeth in contact with the pinion again. I'll probably need to find another solution at some point but it's working fine for now.

[@running2standstill685]

This is great! Something I may need in the future. May I ask what may be causing my RAP focuser, which is fairly new, to at a certain point stick a bit then jump which throws of my focusing. Noticed it only happen when I have an eyepiece on it and only happens when im turning it in one direction?

[@reflactor]

If it sticks, that usually means it is loose or it doesn't have enough of the shim strips. That's my guess.

[@michaelsamuell9377]

0:39 great picture art is this AI generated?

[@reflactor]

It was. My AI skills are very poor.

[@A0111.]

That was a brilliant idea to generate this picture, you've made my day :)

[@wattswheelhouse]

Campy and informative, as all videos should be. Also, I can't listen to you talk without thinking it's Jeff Goldblum.

[@reflactor]

Haha, thank you. I've heard the Goldblum reference before - that's quite an honor!

[@wattswheelhouse]

@@reflactor it's one of the reasons I keep coming back!

[@AmatureAstronomer]

I have a Bresser Refractor Messier AR-102xs/460 Telescope with Hexafoc Focuser with a bad focuser. Have disassembled it and cannot figure out why it is so difficult to turn. The knobs have been stripped and turn freely without doing anything. I have just about given up. I have tried to find a replacement focuser and cannot find anything that fits. Sad.

[@reflactor]

Have you contacted Bresser tech support? They may have an easy fix for you.

[@AmatureAstronomer]

@@reflactorCouldn't find a number. Contacted Explore Scientific, who distribute Bresser in the U.S.A. and they told me to email photos of the scope. Did so. Never heard from them again.

[@reflactor]

Feel free to send the photos to me. I'll try to guess what's wrong. JJDreese at yahoo.com

[@JoeJaguar]

John great video you the man of fixing telescope. your name now is Mr.fixit scope

[@reflactor]

Thanks, man, I've been meaning to do this one a long time.

[@JoeJaguar]

@@reflactor glad you did because I didn’t know of that trick I thought when you started saw off the teeth that I was going to not work But I figured if you were going to do it, you probably know what you’re doing

[@donaldfiesta8666]

Did you file down all the teeth or only the damaged one?

[@wattswheelhouse]

File all the teeth down to the height of the damaged ones is how I understood it. I could be wrong though.

[@EvenTheDogAgrees]

​@@wattswheelhouse you're right though.

[@SonoranAstro]

the way you stare at the camera 0:13

[@reflactor]

Haha, yes, that part of the video is fast-forwarded, so I had to stare at one point so it wouldn't look fast-forwarded.

[@SonoranAstro]

@@reflactori love it

[@TheStevecas9860]

Another great informative Vid! Thanks John. Posted it to My Local Astronomy Club Page!

[@reflactor]

Thanks!

[@DavidMFChapman]

Ingenious!

[@reflactor]

Thanks. I wish I could claim to be the inventor, but it's an old trick that I'd heard about from time to time.

[@Bigtooth-Forest]

Great idea, will be doing this soon to a little Orion newtonian I picked up on facebook for cheap. Thanks!

[@reflactor]

Good luck and have fun!

[@adventuresofanamateurastro804]

Good stuff!

[@reflactor]

Thanks for watching!