This week, I bought a telescope. A 10" dobsonian that can collapse down from 50" completely ready to view, down to 32" ready to transport.
I picked it up in San Diego area on Tuesday.
I was finally able to play with it and check out a couple things that were bothering me. It doesn't move smoothly, it has clicks, and pops like things are sticking. So I took the base apart and discovered that it was missing a piece of Teflon that it is supposed to ride on for a smooth transition for azimuth. The altitude was also making noise as the plastic bushings were grabbing were a little flat spotted. Even rotating those didn't help, they are just old I guess.
So I ordered some new slippery Teflon from McMaster Carr, those parts will be here today.
I also ordered 2 new eyepieces to replace the stock kit ones that were included.
I was also gifted a 2" eyepiece that the previous owner didn't use. That one, as it turns out costs more new than half of what I paid for the telescope.
I figure that seeing how the sun goes down so early now, I can stay up and play outside looking at stars and planets.
