Big and solid!
The new rings from Parallax have arrived and are now in place on the tube. Man, they are chunky and solid! Superbly made by Joe at Parallax, they are just what was needed to hold the 12" in place.
The original Orion rings were rolled, I believe, and so suffered at the open ends not being quite round. I also felt that the two small screws that held them in place on the dovetail, were not quite enough and there was a fair amount of flexing going on
The new rings can use 3 bolts if you want, however the major difference is that they have a flat base on which to fix against the dovetail - much sturdier! A small adjustment to the balance was needed, but because I have an off-axis guider, there is plenty of capacity on the EQ6, so no problem there!
This was the last piece in the puzzle to get the 12" up and running, so now just need a clear night (and a free night!) to get the polar alignment check, and the orthagonality of the camera checked and adjusted!
I'll do a couple of pictures and add them to the post - maybe tonight if I remember!
Come on weather, let's have a clear night or two please!
Edit 20:43: It's looking like a clear sky! Pictures of scope in the new rings!
Scope and Rings 1
