When we last left off I had just received the components back from the powder coater and, thrilled with the results, was excitedly readying to re-assemble the pier.
Recall though that in preparation for the new finish, I was forced to separate the saddle from the declination axis thereby permanently breaking the original factory friction connection between the two parts.
By this point, I had resigned to "re-attach" the two parts through the use of a hex-and-die tap... in fact, I planned to make three taps through the saddle head and oriented triangularly around the declination shaft so that the three inserted hex bolts would hold the two parts together firmly.
I say "resigned" because a cursory search on the web had me at least slightly concerned for the fragility of the aluminum saddle as it appeared not too uncommon for them to turn up broken.
But, be that as it may, there appeared to be no other way to re-establish the connection so off I went to the hardware store for a minimal "tap-and-die" set and a can of WD-40.
Without much of a plan, I began tapping the saddle settling on creating three taps that would together form sort of a triangle around the declination shaft.
Each tap went very well with a small depression mark setting the position for a pilot hole then followed by the thread cutting process all with the help of liberal amounts of WD-40.
The aluminum was quite soft and proved very easy to drill and tap and before you know it, I had three nicely threaded holes but now for the moment of truth... would the hex bolts hold firm to the declination shaft when tightened.
After tightening all three hex bolts I was happy (and very relieved/satisfied) to find that the connection was VERY firm with little possibility of slippage.
Now with the saddle issue finally resolved, I decided to continue assembling the main pier components with the goal of reaching the point at which I could begin to address the next "show stopper" issue... the corroded motor drive!
First, I reattached the "lunar lander" feet using new (but identical) stainless steel hardware and a slight modification from the original design, custom fitted washer-like pads (placed in-between the lander foot and the pier) made from a firm but compressible rubber-like material I had lying around (see below).
I simply cut rectangular pieces the same size as the side of the lander foot that meets the pier so that the washer would completely separate the two pieces but made sure that no rubber washer would show around the edges.
With the washers in place, I felt confident to REALLY tighten the feet to the pier without any marring the fancy powder coat finish and in no time the feet were all attached and I was ready to move on to the pier head.
Without much delay I was able to re-attach the pier head to the pier with the original hex bolts, the RA axis holder to the head with the original latitude bolt, the RA axis itself along with the RA setting circle and setting circle pointer, the DEC axis and finally the saddle with the three custom hex bolts.
Finally, during the re-finishing process the original green felt (... or what was left of it) that lined the optical tube assembly mounting rings had to be removed and now, needed to be replaced.
I ordered a nice, perfectly sized and self-adhesive felt in an identical shade of green from an Amazon store while the components were away being refinished and now I was ready to apply it to the mounting rings.
Applying the felt tape to the rings was as easy as measure, cut and stick though while it adhered reasonably well to both sides (clean aluminum and powder coated), it may need a more permanent adhesive at some point to ensure that it stays put.
Now with the pier mostly re-assembled and such small details as the mounting ring felt complete, its time to move on to the next major hurdle in the restoration of this RV-6... the motor drive.
A sorry sight it is that motor drive... recall that it sat in water routinely for about 30 years so the motor and cork clutch were shot while the fasteners were corroded and the worm gear and wheel were all gunked-up.
Restoring the motor drive will bring some major complications for sure but for now I was happy with the results so far and even more enthusiastic about completing the whole project.
Next up: "Dead Motor, No Shaft!"
Best to all,
BBG
