help with stuck threads

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MapleRidge
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help with stuck threads

Post by MapleRidge »

Hi all...

While this isn't a solar scope questions I have run into a problem trying to remove a threaded adapter from my C9.25 reducer and wondered if anyone had any suggestions.

I attached the 2"eyepiece holder to the reduce back in the winter and removed the pair form the scope the other day. I then tried to thread the eyepiece holder off and couldn't budge it by hand (threaded on by hand). I also tried a pair of ratchet straps and have only managed to turn the adapter a few millimeters. It wasn't cross threaded and was on and off a few times in the winter with no problems like this.
reducer.jpg
reducer.jpg (80.63 KiB) Viewed 4163 times
The adapter threads off at the ring with the vertical ridges...or it should ;)

My main thought is after warming up the two pieces have expanded at different rates and locked the threads together...but it is a guess. I might try putting them in the freezer and see if they will revert to their winter fit, or apply a dew heater band to the adapter and see if it will expand a bit.

Anyone have any ideas????

Thanks,
Brian


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Re: help with stuck threads

Post by marktownley »

Get it warmed up and give it a go. Have you got a vice / clamp you can put one end in when you use the ratchet strap?


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Re: help with stuck threads

Post by christian viladrich »

You can try some drops of teflon oil. Wait one or two days after you drop the oil, then try again.


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Re: help with stuck threads

Post by MapleRidge »

Mark and Christian...

Thanks for the suggestions.

As it is now, the whole assembly is warm and will not budge so that was why I had considered cooling it again tot eh conditions it was assembled in.

The Teflon oil sounds like a good plan, though not sure where I'll find that locally. I can check around, if not available could other lubricants be applied (sparingly of course)? WD40, cooking spray, etc?

Thanks,
Brian


Brian Colville

Maple Ridge Observatory
Cambray, ON Canada

Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/185395281@N08/albums

10'x15 Roll-off Roof Observatory
Takahashi EM400 Mount carrying:
C14 + Lunt 80ED
Deep Sky Work - ASI294MM Pro+EFW 7x36/Canon 60D (Ha mod), ONAG
Planetary Work - SBIG CFW10, ASI462MM

2.2m Diameter Dome
iOptron CEM70G Mount carrying:
Orion EON 130ED, f7 OTA for Day & Night Use
Ha Setup: Lunt LS80PT/LS75FHa/B1200Ha + Home Brew Lunt Double Stack/B1800Ha on the Orion OTA + Daystar Quantum
WL, G-Band & CaK Setup: Lunt Wedge & Lunt B1800CaK, Baader K-Line and Altair 2nm G-Band filter
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Re: help with stuck threads

Post by marktownley »

When we have locked nuts and bolts on the boat that we need to shift we always go for a spray of wd40 and leave overnight, does make it all slippy to handle so directed aim in application is prudent.


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Re: help with stuck threads

Post by Carbon60 »

Hi Brian,

I agree with your first instinct.... Cool the whole thing right down to replicate your winter conditions and try then. Differential expansion is the most likely reason they have locked together.

Some oil could also help.

Stu.


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Re: help with stuck threads

Post by MapleRidge »

Hi Stu...

I was thinking the same...at least for the first try.

Mark, I just want to be damn careful not to have the WD40 leak on the optics :shock:

A project for the weekend by the looks of it.

Brian


Brian Colville

Maple Ridge Observatory
Cambray, ON Canada

Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/185395281@N08/albums

10'x15 Roll-off Roof Observatory
Takahashi EM400 Mount carrying:
C14 + Lunt 80ED
Deep Sky Work - ASI294MM Pro+EFW 7x36/Canon 60D (Ha mod), ONAG
Planetary Work - SBIG CFW10, ASI462MM

2.2m Diameter Dome
iOptron CEM70G Mount carrying:
Orion EON 130ED, f7 OTA for Day & Night Use
Ha Setup: Lunt LS80PT/LS75FHa/B1200Ha + Home Brew Lunt Double Stack/B1800Ha on the Orion OTA + Daystar Quantum
WL, G-Band & CaK Setup: Lunt Wedge & Lunt B1800CaK, Baader K-Line and Altair 2nm G-Band filter
ASI1600MM, ASI432MM, ASI294MM Pro, ASI174MM, ASI462MM
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Re: help with stuck threads

Post by marktownley »

:lol: good point Brian, wd40 and optics is asking for trouble. Binding threads is always a pain.


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Re: help with stuck threads

Post by Martin_S »

Hi Brian, This might be a last resort solution. Is it possible to remove the lens cells from the reducer?. If so you can then get a shallow bowl of icy water to chill the reducer barrel then get two small hand towels, one dry one to hold the reducer the other one should be a hot damp one one heated in a microwave oven to grip the ring. you need to work fast as you are shrinking the reducer body and expanding the ring . You may have to do this a few times if you only get minimal movement. Just be careful not to scald yourself with the hot towel.

Martin


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Re: help with stuck threads

Post by MapleRidge »

Hi All...

Removing the optics might be last resort...god forbid ;)

I plan to put the whole thing in the freezer over night and if still stuck I'll put a dew strap around the adapter rings and crank the heat up to see if the ring will expand a bit and free it up.

Brian


Brian Colville

Maple Ridge Observatory
Cambray, ON Canada

Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/185395281@N08/albums

10'x15 Roll-off Roof Observatory
Takahashi EM400 Mount carrying:
C14 + Lunt 80ED
Deep Sky Work - ASI294MM Pro+EFW 7x36/Canon 60D (Ha mod), ONAG
Planetary Work - SBIG CFW10, ASI462MM

2.2m Diameter Dome
iOptron CEM70G Mount carrying:
Orion EON 130ED, f7 OTA for Day & Night Use
Ha Setup: Lunt LS80PT/LS75FHa/B1200Ha + Home Brew Lunt Double Stack/B1800Ha on the Orion OTA + Daystar Quantum
WL, G-Band & CaK Setup: Lunt Wedge & Lunt B1800CaK, Baader K-Line and Altair 2nm G-Band filter
ASI1600MM, ASI432MM, ASI294MM Pro, ASI174MM, ASI462MM
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Re: help with stuck threads

Post by Merlin66 »

Brian,
Not sure I can help at this stage.....
I’ve successfully use a smear of boot polish on all the treads before using them, It’s worked well for me for over ten years.


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Re: help with stuck threads

Post by MapleRidge »

Hi all...

An update on my thread issue.

The freezer stay made no difference on the ability to unthread, so returning the assembly to the 'mock' winter assembly conditions was no use.

I dabbed a little canola cooking oil onto some of the exposed threads and after sitting an hour the pieces threaded off with a moderate effort to turn of the strap wrenches... :)

Thanks for all the suggestions,
Brian


Brian Colville

Maple Ridge Observatory
Cambray, ON Canada

Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/185395281@N08/albums

10'x15 Roll-off Roof Observatory
Takahashi EM400 Mount carrying:
C14 + Lunt 80ED
Deep Sky Work - ASI294MM Pro+EFW 7x36/Canon 60D (Ha mod), ONAG
Planetary Work - SBIG CFW10, ASI462MM

2.2m Diameter Dome
iOptron CEM70G Mount carrying:
Orion EON 130ED, f7 OTA for Day & Night Use
Ha Setup: Lunt LS80PT/LS75FHa/B1200Ha + Home Brew Lunt Double Stack/B1800Ha on the Orion OTA + Daystar Quantum
WL, G-Band & CaK Setup: Lunt Wedge & Lunt B1800CaK, Baader K-Line and Altair 2nm G-Band filter
ASI1600MM, ASI432MM, ASI294MM Pro, ASI174MM, ASI462MM
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