Date: 18 Oct 2006 00:12:36
From: Uncle Bob
Subject: Help ID an old EQ fork mount, 1950's(?) vintage.
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Greetings!
Now this is what S.A.A. excels at, I've been told....
Today for 100.00 US I picked up an equatorial fork mount for the 12.5"
newt I'm building. It is a real throwback to the 1950's, by my guess. I
purchased it because it is so stout (2-7/16" ball bearings on the RA
axis), seemed to be not too badly abused, and mainly because it was green. ;-)
I have posted a photo of the mount for your viewing pleasure.
http://www.bogusnet.net/gallery/view_photo.php?set_albumName=astro&id=Photo_101706_003
Sorry for the quality, it's shot on my palm Zire 72. Lit by a trouble
light.
I'd like your help identifying it,if possible. What I have
determined:
It appears to be of US or Canada manufacture, because the fasteners are
all US sizes and thread pitch.
The distance between the fork arms is 16", the tube ring is 13.75" in
diameter (inside). The swing (distance between Dec axis (middle of tube
ring) and top of the lower fork cross arm) is 32.5" (allowing for a 64"
scope to be mounted at midpoint).
There is a "synchronous" motor bearing the name "Holtzer-Cabot" driving a
gearbox on the RA. It works! The gearbox is connected to the RA axis by a
small drive chain. There is an aluminum(?) RA setting circle, a vernier
scale to read it. The North RA bearing is a 2 7/16" flange bearing by Link
Belt (probably replaced the original).
The mount is made of steel, with a welded construction. The base is a
rectangular plate with 4 bolt holes. There is an elevation adjustment for
aligning to NCP. The mount weighs about 260 pounds, as I can attest having
loaded it into my little nissan pickup. Groan!
It came with no documentation, there is a sticker on the gearbox that says
"WARNING"...but the rest of it is obscured. Wonder what I'm being warned
about? Other than that and the motor nameplate, no other identifying
marks.
If you have one of these, or have a friend who does, or you know anything
about it or a link to some information about it, please pass it on. I
told John Dobson I'd picked it up and he said "What on earth do you need
something like that for?" I thought for a moment and said, "Boat anchor?"
"Thank yoo.", he muttered. ;-)
Regards,
Uncle Bob
Fairfax, CA
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