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Gary Jarrette
The problem with the installation of the Feather Touch mounting on the C14 is a simple one to solve. It seems that the flat area on the rear casting to which the Feather Touch is mounted by three screws is not perpendicular to the threaded focusing shaft. This is the reason why a rubber washer is supplied. The purpose of the rubber washer is to allow the alignment of the focuser to be tilted when establishing the perpendicularity to the threaded focusing shaft. The problem is the binding of the focuser nut because it is tilted on the focuser rod because of the tilt of the focuser body. By alternately tightening the three screws that hold the focuser while you turn the course focus knob you eventually find do the sweet spot. This ultimately is perpendicularity with the shaft. You keep tightening the mounting screws until they compress the rubber washer to establish a plane that is 90 degrees to the focus screw. Now when I did mine I was not happy with a rubber washer so I went one better. I drilled and tapped three 8-32 threaded holes between the existing mounting holes. The purpose of this modification was simple. It allowed me to establish a perpendicular plane by putting in three set screws in the holes thereby allowing me to tilt the mounting flange on the Feather Touch by alternately playing the set screws against the mounting screws. This was the better solution because once the set screws established the perpendicular plane you would have a very tight connection not squishy rubber. I do not know why Feather Touch does not drill and tap three holes to counter the hold down screws but it would provide a more stable alignment then a rubber washer which can flex. Set screws countering mounting screws is the proper way to this on a focuser which has to be adjusted within a few microns. Mine has been working for 4 years,? no bind smooth as glass. Gary Carpe Noctem Sent From My Spaceship via Nexus 5
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