SAO 127MM F/9.4 'BRIGADIER GENERAL RICHARD PIERCE' REFRACTOR OTA PREPARATION

Page 2 of 4

 

The focuser broken down for cleaning and replacement of guides. The focuser broken down for cleaning and replacement of guides. The focuser housing sitting in a jig that will be used to grind away the outer flange. material being removed from the outside surface of the flange with a sanding disk.  With the diameter of the flange reduced in size, it fits like a glove. Here is a image of the new guides being trimmed at the outside end of the focuser housing after installation.
A view of the guides from the focuser housing's inside end. The completed and upgraded Meade 2.7" inch rack & pinion focuser. A side view of the completed Meade 2.7" inch focuser. A inside end view of the completed Meade 2.7" inch focuser. This view shows the holes drilled to attach the focuser. This view shows the holes drilled to attach the focuser.
The main tube is now ready for aligning the focuser. This paper target will be taped to the objective end of the main tube. The paper laser target taped to the objective end of the main tube. Here we have the tube with the mounted target, focuser and laser collimator sitting on a workbench ready to be aligned. With the laser mounted in the focuser and adjusted, the laser beam struck very closed to center. A close-up of the target showing the location of the laser beam after alignment was performed.
A close-up of one of the holes in the main tube used for mounting the focuser. A close-up of one of the holes in the main tube used for mounting the focuser. The main tube after hand sanding with 220-grit sand paper. After sanding, a Scotch-Brite scrubbing pad was used to buff the min tube's exterior. To remove the aluminum dust and residue, Goo-Gone was used to wipe off its surface.
                                                             

In Part 2 of 4, I continued with the preparation of the main tube and in the restoration of the Meade 127ED rack and pinion focuser. To continue the tour of the VSC/ SAO 127mm f/9.4 "Brigadier General Richard Pierce" refractor, please click on the first image (upper-left.) Each thumbnail photo link you click on above will send you to a page with documented details for that image. To go back to the next or previous page of steps, just click on the arrows to the right of this caption. Again, if you have any questions or comments, please email us at: 

vsc-astronomers@vega-sky-center.com
  

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