On Mon, Jan 27, 2025 at 02:22 PM, Michael A. Covington wrote:
Where does one get the kind of washer you recommend?
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On Jan 27, 2025, at 16:33, Chip Louie via groups.io <chiplouie@...> wrote:
[Edited Message Follows]
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The use of flat thrust bearings is really not needed, there should never be that much force on the lock knob/lever.? If you really feel compelled to mess with the adjustment locks a good cheap compromise modification is to put a ground SS washer under each of the lock knob/lever with a thin plastic washer between the new SS washer and the GM8 or G11 base.? This promotes easier adjustment movement while reducing the undesirable mount movement when the knobs start to get snugged down.?
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I mention using a precision ground SS washer because they will introduce less movement during tightening of the lock knob/lever.?
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Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?
Astrospheric Forecast - South Pasadena, CA?
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Any good hardware store will carry flat ground washers as well as various plastic washers.? Use a slippery plastic, like most types of polyethylene, PTFE or in a pinch I've cut slippery washers from white plastic gallon milk jugs LOL.?
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Also McMaster Carr has these parts as well as nice adjustable handles and knobs to substitute if that's your thing.? But like I mentioned previously it takes minimal torque to reliably hold the elevation or azimuth adjustments.??
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Backlash has nothing to do with the force needed to hold the adjustment.? You should have enough preload on the locks to just hold the mount during the time you use the adjusters.?
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Think of this as two are two different operations, adjustment and locking that unfortunately interact slightly when the locks are applied.? Using ground washers with low friction plastic washers is cheap and more effective than using a thrust washer alone as they remove much of the cause of shift in the adjustment.??
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This little change works for both the old original type adjustment locks where the knob holds the threaded rod and the newer fixed stud used with a knob with a threaded insert type adjustment locks.?
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Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?
Astrospheric Forecast - South Pasadena, CA?
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Chip Louie