Hiya all,

I have in my possession a very old scope - its an M.S.S. 4.5 inch reflector 
a glorious 900mm long. It's very rough overall - really should have gone in 
the bin but I've cleaned the optics and realigned them - despite a bit of 
desilvering to the primary mirror (spot about 5mmx2mm long) it is delivering 
what appear to be very sharp images of terrestrial objects.

I would like to source a new secondary mirror (it just doesn't look right) - 
will have to keep an active eye on the rubbish tip I guess!

More importantly - all viewing today has been via the finders eyepiece 
simply plopped into place over the focussing tube - it works well enough but 
I want some real eyepieces!!!!!

So - any suggestion on where to source the 'old fashioned' .9 or whatever 
inch eyepieces? I have found some ex Tasco ones on ebay but I did own a 
Tasco scope at one time and figure the supplied eyepieces are not the 
best....

Finally, what are the chances of finding a focusser on the cheap? The one 
that is fitted is a bit weird - you rotate the body to focus - I'm more used 
to knobs!

I've not been an active observer since 1995ish - bear with me!

Cheers for any suggestions

Scott - Midlands

Hi Scott,

Check out http://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/ and place a wanted ad. I'm sure 
someone must have some decent eyepieces or finder they can sell you.


Cheers,

Tim

sc wrote:
> Hiya all,
> 
> I have in my possession a very old scope - its an M.S.S. 4.5 inch reflector 
> a glorious 900mm long. It's very rough overall - really should have gone in 
> the bin but I've cleaned the optics and realigned them - despite a bit of 
> desilvering to the primary mirror (spot about 5mmx2mm long) it is delivering 
> what appear to be very sharp images of terrestrial objects.
> 
> I would like to source a new secondary mirror (it just doesn't look right) - 
> will have to keep an active eye on the rubbish tip I guess!
> 
> More importantly - all viewing today has been via the finders eyepiece 
> simply plopped into place over the focussing tube - it works well enough but 
> I want some real eyepieces!!!!!

Look out for old microscope eyepieces. They are not quite the same 
diameter but the difference is negligible a bit of PVC tape will make 
them a snug fit. Over the pond Surplus Shed has suitable bargains

http://www.surplusshed.com/pages/category/eyepiecessets_1.html

I think Anchor surplus used to here...
> 
> So - any suggestion on where to source the 'old fashioned' .9 or whatever 
> inch eyepieces? I have found some ex Tasco ones on ebay but I did own a 
> Tasco scope at one time and figure the supplied eyepieces are not the 
> best....

Truly old fashioned eyepieces are brass 1.25" with RAS threaded bodies. 
I think the 0.965" things were a Japanese invention ca 1970's scopes.
> 
> Finally, what are the chances of finding a focusser on the cheap? The one 
> that is fitted is a bit weird - you rotate the body to focus - I'm more used 
> to knobs!
> 
> I've not been an active observer since 1995ish - bear with me!

> 
> Cheers for any suggestions

Watch out on the second hand ads. Or place a wanted one.
Avoid the 4mm eyepiece in this size like the plague.

Regards,
Martin Brown
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

Hi Scott

www.astronomy.ndo.co.uk\EP1.jpg
www.astronomy.ndo.co.uk\EP2.jpg
www.astronomy.ndo.co.uk\EP3.jpg

Focal length unknown and I cant find any markings on it.

Any good to you? Got it in a market several years ago, had a quick try but
never really used it. I'd be nice to see it go to a good home.

Neil

p.s. Anybody know why it's stopped down by the screw on top?

Just knew I'd stuff that up somehow. Forgot to mention that the barrel
diameter is approx. 27mm

Neil