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Mach2GTO counterweight shaft stuck midway #Mach2GTO
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Carl Björk
Hi,
I have just received my Mach2GTO and was assembling everything. I had read something about this but cannot find it anymore. I have fitted my shaft carefully with the DEC down as Roland advised somewhere. But it got stuck midway, and if I try to unscrew the stainless insert comes out. Strap wrenches to not work and I do not really know what to do. Any help appreciated. Carl |
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Carl Björk
I have been extremely careful not to cross thread (oh I found the thread I was looking for, but didn't find a solution).
I have also measured each side and it really does not seem to be cross threaded. However it does not look good at all :-/ As I bought the mount through Baader-Planetarium (I live in Switzerland), does it mean I will have to contact them for a repair ?  |
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George
Carl,
It is best to contact me directly. You will need to allow the threaded insert to unscrew with the shaft. Once you have it free from the mount, try two strap wrenches to unscrew the insert from the shaft. If it still resists coming apart, then heat the insert so that it expands and try the strap wrenches again.
Regards,
George
George Whitney Astro-Physics, Inc. Phone: 815-222-6538 (direct line) Phone: 815-282-1513 (office) Email: george@... Video Tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/astrophysicscorp
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Carl Björk
Sent: Monday, August 8, 2022 12:09 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: [ap-gto] Mach2GTO counterweight shaft stuck midway #Mach2GTO
Hi, |
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I have used George’s method and it really works well never occurred again
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TJF Mobile On Aug 8, 2022, at 13:46, Carl Björk <carl.bjork@...> wrote:
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Carl Björk
On Mon, Aug 8, 2022 at 07:48 PM, Manusfisch wrote:
I have used George’s method and it really works well never occurred againHave you heated the insert ? I tried "cold" and broke a strapwrench |
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George
Try a few drops of WD-40 into the threads.
Regards,
George
George Whitney Astro-Physics, Inc. Phone: 815-222-6538 (direct line) Phone: 815-282-1513 (office) Email: george@... Video Tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/astrophysicscorp
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Carl Björk
Sent: Monday, August 8, 2022 12:56 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach2GTO counterweight shaft stuck midway
On Mon, Aug 8, 2022 at 07:48 PM, Manusfisch wrote:
Have you heated the insert ? |
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Yes used direct heat with high output solder gun, more controlled than propane torch, strap wrench did not melt. I then applied Barricade ( used for years on my firearms) or Blue Creeper afterwards. Try to avoid wd40, mostly kerosene, made for water displacement (WD) not best lubricant. A soft graphite pencil run across the threads (I use a #2 pencil) works great also and is dry direct application .
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TJF Mobile On Aug 8, 2022, at 13:55, Carl Björk <carl.bjork@...> wrote:
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Carl Björk
Many thanks for your feedback, I will try using my propane torch lightly (it is the only thing I have).
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I tried penetrating oil better than WD40, still penetrating as we speak, had a few unsuccessful attempts just before. On Mon, Aug 8, 2022 at 08:08 PM, Manusfisch wrote: Yes used direct heat with high output solder gun, more controlled than propane torch, strap wrench did not melt. I then applied Barricade ( used for years on my firearms) or Blue Creeper afterwards. Try to avoid wd40, mostly kerosene, made for water displacement (WD) not best lubricant. A soft graphite pencil run across the threads (I use a #2 pencil) works great also and is dry direct application . |
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Carl Björk
Neither penetrating oil or heating works.
It is really very seized. The insert is stuck halfway about 1/2 " |
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Yves Laroche
Put the whole shaft + insert a couple of hours into the freezer. After just heat the insert and you should be able to get parts apart. I recommend you to wear tick rubber glove to get the highest grip. Regards, Yves Le 8 août 2022 14 h 16, Carl Björk <carl.bjork@...> a écrit : Many thanks for your feedback, I will try using my propane torch lightly (it is the only thing I have). |
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Michael Kelly
Sorry to hear about this Carl! In my line of work we routinely use an induction heater, but short of that may I suggest putting the whole thing in your freezer for a few hours, or dry ice if available. Take out and immediately apply a heat gun (or highest source of heat that is available to you). Be sure not to direct heat at the counterweight shaft so it stays as cold as possible. Try for a minute or soo and try strap wrenches.
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If that fails, any qualified machinist can assist removing the stuck parts without damaging them. Good luck and looking forward to more Gagillionpixel images! Best, On Monday, August 8, 2022, 2:36 PM, Carl Björk <carl.bjork@...> wrote:
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Carl Björk
My freezer is not big enough, will have to try with the fridge.
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The sun has set and tomorrow I'll be working from my clients premises, so it'll stay more than 20h at 4°C It still remains extremely difficult to heat only the insert as it is screwed halfway there is a lot of contact with the shaft thread. And if both parts dilate it is useless as proportions are maintained. Rgds, Carl On Mon, Aug 8, 2022 at 08:41 PM, Yves Laroche wrote: Put the whole shaft + insert a couple of hours into the freezer. After just heat the insert and you should be able to get parts apart. I recommend you to wear tick rubber glove to get the highest grip. |
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Carl Björk
Thanks Michael!
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Oh, yes I do know a machinist, but I think I will try the fridge trick, else I'll have to wait a few weeks for him to have time to help me... I have a propane torch, so I might even trying 15-30s... Hahaha :-D Yes I have a few other gigapixel mosaic targets currently in acquisition ;-) Best, Carl On Mon, Aug 8, 2022 at 08:50 PM, Michael Kelly wrote: Sorry to hear about this Carl! In my line of work we routinely use an induction heater, but short of that may I suggest putting the whole thing in your freezer for a few hours, or dry ice if available. Take out and immediately apply a heat gun (or highest source of heat that is available to you). Be sure not to direct heat at the counterweight shaft so it stays as cold as possible. Try for a minute or soo and try strap wrenches. |
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Michael Kelly
No worries. The other option is to mail the entire assembly to me, I’ll get the pieces apart and ship it back to you in 2023! Free of charge, of course!! Please be sure to include all items fir testing purposes of course.
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On Monday, August 8, 2022, 2:57 PM, Carl Björk <carl.bjork@...> wrote:
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Carl Björk
On Mon, Aug 8, 2022 at 09:06 PM, Michael Kelly wrote:
No worries. The other option is to mail the entire assembly to me, I’ll get the pieces apart and ship it back to you in 2023! Free of charge, of course!! Please be sure to include all items fir testing purposes of course.:'D
Thanks !! |
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fernandorivera3
This problem of counterweight shafts seizing up into the adapters with the new stainless steel threaded inserts seems to be a "recurring theme"
Perhaps had the shaft adapters been left alone with the old design this issue would not happen with remarkable frequency. Fernando |
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Carl Björk
IMHO I believe the design change has a good reason to be and I trust 100% Roland on this.
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There can always be a few hiccups with new designs, and it might give the feeling it wasn't a good decision. But what really matters is the support and solutions that are brought up by AP. And on that point, support has been VERY reactive. As George suggested I wrote directly to him and he believes he should have a solution within a few hours. I should mention that, by chance I found a Mach2GTO in stock (Baader Germany as I live in Switzerland). Perhaps I have a mount form an older batch with an issue that has now been addressed. Carl On Mon, Aug 8, 2022 at 09:10 PM, fernandorivera3 wrote: This problem of counterweight shafts seizing up into the adapters with the new stainless steel threaded inserts seems to be a "recurring theme" |
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Brian Kaine
Hi Carl,
Sorry to hear about the problem, but I am sure that Astro-Physics will have a solution for you. Their support is the best in the world! Regarding this as being an issue with an older batch of mounts, I can only add that I own the first production sample, #M20011. I have never encountered this problem, so it is likely hit-or-miss. And the only precaution I have ever taken was to apply a thin coat of WD40 to the counterweight bar threads. An earlier AP900 mount that I own developed a nasty squeek when screwing in the bar (although it had never siezed up). The oil put a stop to that problem. Brian |
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>>>
And the only precaution I have ever taken was to apply a thin coat of WD40 to the counterweight bar threads I agree with adding something to threads, but I prefer CLP. I may have lifted that from Christopher? On Mon, Aug 8, 2022 at 2:17 PM Brian Kaine <briankaine@...> wrote: Hi Carl, --
Brian Brian Valente astro portfolio https://www.brianvalentephotography.com/astrophotography/ portfolio brianvalentephotography.com |
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DFisch
All I did was clean mine, that is the counterweight shaft, and it did just fine. On Mon, Aug 8, 2022 at 15:10 fernandorivera3 via groups.io <fernandorivera3=yahoo.com@groups.io> wrote: This problem of counterweight shafts seizing up into the adapters with the new stainless steel threaded inserts seems to be a "recurring theme" --
TJF MOBILE |
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