Crayford project help anyone?

[Tony Leece]

Hi everyone,

As already mentioned in an earlier post i would like to build my own crayford focusser.
I just thought i would ask if anyone knows of any really good sites for crayford designs.
Or maybe someone has designs or engineering drawings they would like to share.

I am aware of the basic crayford design and how it works, however i would like to be able to image through this and also put a fine focus on too.
Also any build or material hints and tips would be of immense help to myself and other members of the forum that may like to build one as a project.

I have access to both aluminium and steel raw materials, with some machine access ie; drills, saws, welders and a lathe (however not a milling machine, mores the pity)
Any help at all would be fantastic guys.
All the best.........
Tony.........

[Radar]

G'day Tony,

DIY is not my area of expertise. I wouldn't know where to start when it comes to building a Crayford focuser. Try this site out though, you may get some good ideas.

http://astro.neutral.org/diy_focuser.html

If you are planning on using this focuser for imaging, a screw that locks the focus in place is very handy, also you may find that being able to rotate the focuser is another handy feature to implement. I'm not sure if you have already planned on adding those features but I use the focus lock and rotation all the time when I'm out trying to shoot the stars.

Keep us posted on how you go.

Cheers

Ray

[phoenix]

Hey Tony.


Hope this helps.


http://www.aqua.co.za/assa_jhb/new/Crayford.htm#Drawings
http://www.mindspring.com/~davebevel/focuser/focuser.html
http://www.crickrock.com/cgi-bin/webring/list.pl?ringid=TelescopeMaking;siteid=navigator12





Cheers jason.:pipethinker:

[Tenacious Del]

That is quite a technical toy to build. Good luck with it. I'd be interested to see progress pics along the way. :thumbsupmate:

[Tony Leece]

Thanks guys the links are very useful, i will post pics as and when i start this project:Chessy_Smile:
Cheers.........
Tony........

[Tony Leece]

I'm still obtaining reference material and as such i have been prowling around various websites.
This one caught my eye as a particularly well made design.
Check out the tolerances........ 50 millionths of an inch:duh: With price tags to match:hmm:

Well, Well out of my league i'm afraid, but their are elements that i found useful.

A little healthy plagiarism won't harm :Chessy_Smile: , seeing as i am only planning to build one (well possibly two if the project doesn't prove to difficult).

http://www.observatory.org/rotator.htm

All the best.........
Tony..........

[Radar]

50 millionths of an inch? Maybe you should be on the Hubble repair team Tony? :Chessy_Smile:

Good to hear you are getting some good ideas. Looking forward to seeing the results. This looks like a fiddly DIY job so I hope it goes okay for you.

All the best mate.

Ray

[phoenix]

Hey Tony

That Crayford focuser looks really heavy duty, It looks like a part from fort knox.:eartoear:



Cheers Jason :pipethinker:

[Radar]

Have you commenced building it yet Tone?

Cheers

Ray

[Tony Leece]

No, not yet Ray. I don't want to rush this project, as i want it to be something i will want to use for years to come.:eartoear:
If i rush, i will make mistakes:hmm:
I have started coming up with 2-d ideas with my computer.
This is what i have at the mo and the design isn't finished yet (no focus knob).

It probably WILL change quite a bit knowing me:Chessy_Smile:

730

731

Will let you all know when i start the build:Chessy_Smile:
Cheers for looking.....
Tony......

[Radar]

Nice looking design Tony. Are you using 3D studio max for the design?

Cheers

Ray

[Tony Leece]

Yes Ray. Nice to see someone else has heard of studio max:Chessy_Smile:
will try a more realistic render when i have got the design sorted out.
Cheers.........
Tony............

[Astrokid]

looks technical Tony. Way to hard for me. good luck. :thumbsupmate: