150 f12 and its EQ mount

[boomboom]

Here for the first time is my 6" f12 on its old but beautiful EQ mount.

The EQ mount was made in 1877 by Thomas Gaunt and wonderfully restored by Matt, aka Kitch 101, a while back.

I was able to buy it when it came up for sale and realised it's a lot of work to do up. At first I didn't feel up to the task and decided to sell the mount to a descendant of the maker, who also wanted it. In the end he decided he didn't want it, so I'm happy to say I'll be restoring this one to it's past glory as best I can.

The mount functions quite well as is...with careful balancing and shifting tube weights. My thoughts after looking at lots of pictures of old mounts is to do a tangent arm on the dec axis and I have a 7.5" gear and worm from Astrotechnik for the RA.

If any one can point me in the direction of a tangent arm arrangement for the Dec axis I'll be grateful. I have seen a few ideas that look within my capabilities to build.

The RA has a 7.5" gear and worm that I'll need to mount at some stage too. Once again not too hard and will be a manual control. Like to add a stepper motor perhaps too.

Hope you enjoy the photos.




Even the dog is impressed. For a bit of old time....



The only thing missing is an 8" brass RA hour circle well it's there but was machined down!!! for some reason. Ideas for how to restore that would be great. I have a vague idea of glueing a few bits of 3mm brass together to make up the 12mm thickness like the Dec circle is or cutting one from aluminium and painting it black as a poor substitute. The other choice is to make an aluminium circle and encase it with .6mm sheet brass and engrave the hours on that.

More to come on this restoration.

Matt

[rgm]

Now, that is what a telescope is suppose to look like! Good luck with the rest of the restoration.

[Mike]

I do like the looks of that scope. All it's missing is an Istar decal on the dew shield

Mike

[bn1777]

Yep , as RGM says that's a real telescope , congratulations Matt , you have a winner there .

I like the idea of an alloy disc with a 3mm brass strip , as you can get the numbers laser etched to any italic style you want as a flat strip then get it rolled to the disc size and rivet it on , get the alloy bronze anodized first .
That would be the most cost effective method .
Brian.

[boomboom]

Thanks Bob, I can't stop looking at it!!! Beats the scope on the NEQ6 hands down. Everyone that has come over and seen it set up love it too….even those who aren't into astronomy.

Mike…. the hard thing will be where to put the Istar logo. On the dew shield I suppose.

Brian, at some stage I'm gonna pick your brains on the brass RA circle. Aluminium and a brass outer layer seems to be the best idea. If only brass was cheap…

One of these days I want this scope in an Obs, naturally ye olde wooden dome, in the country where everyone can come and look through this little beauty.

Matt

[astromanuk]

Congratulations Matt! I am so please to see the mount has gone to an appreciative custodian. So often you see gems like this disappear off the radar never to be seen again.

I really like your idea for setting circles. An old mount isn't complete without them. If I see anything vintage come up in this country I will,let you know.

Just like you, I am never happier than when observing without electricity in sight. That includes battery power. There is definitely a purity that takes me back to the wonderful world of Leslie Peltier.

That mount could have been made for your telescope it is so in proportion as an outfit.

[boomboom]

Just in case any brass discs turn up here are a couple of photos of the RA end.



and one of the whole mount and pier a bit closer



It's nearly enough to make me paint the tube black

I wouldn't say the mount is really portable but it only takes 15mins to set it up.

The bloke who I nearly sold it too was going to leave it in his lounge room as an object, I too am glad it's in use.

[boomboom]

Here is a quick update. Have built and tested a motorised RA with slipclutch and Dec axis with a tangent arm...also motorised or via a slipclutch as manual. The Dec has 14º movement left or right of centre. Losmandy g11 motors are controlleed via a Celestron driver and hand control box.....all it needs is a cosmetic filing job and paint!

[jimcurry]

What a beauty! Great job putting that together. Looks like a lifer scope.

Jim

[galileo]

Very impressive boomboom, I'm new to the forum and have recently bought the 6"f12 lens cell to build my dream scope, hope it turns out as good as yours