From: "Dwight K. Elvey" 
To: atm{at}shore.net
Reply-To: "Dwight K. Elvey" 


>From: "Kevin H Williams" 
>
>I am aligning the optics in my 6" dobsonian mount telescope and having a
>problem, I am using an 8" sonotube
>
>I am using an L bracket mount for the secondary, I thought this was a good
>option, but am having second thoughts

Hi Kevin
 Most have a method of aligning the secondary after the mount is
made solid. You might also consider a method of moving the secondary by the
mount of the L bracket. Such ideas as having the bracket mount to a plate
that can be tilted and moved about on the tube to find the best aim. You
could also use springs an things like aero-nuts that don't rattle from
where they are set.

>
>I have the primary aligned (needs to be checked again after the secondary is
>in), and the focuser is installed and I am trying to put in the secondary

 I'm not sure how you can adjust the primary before having a secondary
mounted. The primary must be aligned to the secondary and focuser, not the
other way around.

>
>that is the problem, when I put the secondary in, and align it, it is
>impossible to put a screw though the L bracket keeping the bracket aligned,
>the tube is so narrow I can't really get enough room to work, is there any
>trick to doing this that I am missing, or just giving up to soon?

 I can't see what you've already done. It seems like you've not allowed
for access to secondary adjustments. Maybe you can think of a method to
adjust the secondary from mounts of the bracket to the tube. Think about
all of the adjustments needed. You need to change the angle of the
secondary, relative to the focuser. You also need to move the secondary
around to be in line with the focuser and close to centered in the tube.
 You might even look at moving the focuser to line up with the
secondary.
 Anyway, give it some more thought. There is always more than
one way to skin a .....
Dwight

>
>thanks
>kevin
>
>
>

--- BBBS/NT v4.00 MP