Unexpected Small Scope Complication!

[Will Kramer]

Hello TVA,

Yesterday I was restoring an old 60mm Tasco refractor for use again, and it was turning out even better than expected!  I had even been able to carefully clean residue off the objective, even though the dew shield is locked in place and I couldn't unscrew it.  Then, as I was feeling good about the project and starting to put the scope away, I heard an unnerving rattling sound coming from the front of the scope, so I took off the dew shield dust cap, and the entire objective had fallen out and was laying sideways!  OK, the only thing I can think of is that while I was dabbing the objective with a soft cloth, I must have been unconsciously turning the rolled up cloth counterclockwise in the cell, and somehow it unscrewed the retaining ring holding the objective in place.   So, I googled "reassembling a doublet" and attempted to insert the two lens components back properly, but because the dew shield won't unscrew, I could not set them in precisely, and screw the retaining ring fully in again.  A quick test on some street lights showed the objective is not seated properly, so it looks like if I can't unscrew the dew shield, I won't be able make this scope usable after all.  Advice online says the best thing I can do to loosen the dew shield is to try warming it up first to help the threads expand a little.  They also say NOT to use any lubricants like WD-40 near the lenses!   HAS ANY ONE HAD SUCCESS AT UNSCREWING A STUCK DEW SHIELD ON THEIR REFRACTORS?

Thanks again,

Will  

[Rick Gonzales]

Wow that’s a wild one - are you going to Europa tonight? If so, bring it by, I’d like to take a crack at it

Rick

--
TVA Home Page: http://www.temeculavalleyastronomers.com/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TemeculaValleyAstronomers
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "TVAstronomers" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to tvastronomer...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/tvastronomers/SA1PR19MB68196D1A7DA7C00837979B8A8A61A%40SA1PR19MB6819.namprd19.prod.outlook.com.

[Will Kramer]

OK, weather permitting, I'll bring it this evening!

Thanks,

Will

---

From: Rick Gonzales <rickgon...@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2026 8:34 AM
To: Will Kramer <wil...@hotmail.com>
Cc: 'Sharon Smith' via TVAstronomers <tvastr...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [TVAstro] Unexpected Small Scope Complication!

 

[Will Kramer]

OK Rick....as it turned out, my wife is not feeling well this evening, so I won't be able to make it to Europa either.

Thanks for the message!

Will

---

From: Rick Gonzales <rickgon...@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2026 5:07 PM
To: Will Kramer <wil...@hotmail.com>

Subject: Re: [TVAstro] Unexpected Small Scope Complication!

 

Hey Wil, I’m not gonna make it after all

Rick

On Fri, Feb 13, 2026 at 12:37 PM Will Kramer <wil...@hotmail.com> wrote:

Hey Sam,

Yes, today I tried warming the objective unit with a hair dryer, and at first there was still no budging the dew shield at all, with my maximum hand strength, but then, as I planned my next move, the shield suddenly just moved freely as if there had been no problem at all!  Go figure.  So first I'm just double checking any dust or smudges I missed last night, as I was tired and frustrated that I caused this to happen.  Then, I'll take it outside and test out the image in the scope again, and if it doesn't quite look sharp like it did yesterday, I will consider dis-assembling the doublet and making sure I put it back in precisely.  There were not the 3 spacers shown online (youtube), but there was a very thin little washer which I assumed was to be used as the spacer between the two lens components.  If the scope does not pass the visual test, I will possibly reconsider where to place the washer, but the advice online said there should be a spacer, and not have the two components actually in direct contact together.

Thanks for your great advice and expertise, Sam, and I will let you know how the scope responds.  Fortunately, it is only a very minor scope in my collection!

Will 

---

From: s...@samsastro.com <s...@samsastro.com>
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2026 10:55 AM
To: Will Kramer <wil...@hotmail.com>

Subject: Re: [TVAstro] Unexpected Small Scope Complication!

 

Will,
They are very finicky and galling is a big issue as the threads from
TASCO were coarse.  One light drop  of oil or similar product can be
used as the dew shew screws onto the outside of the lens cell as I
recall. Keep the lens cell in a position so the liquid does not spread
to the glass. Capillary action should spread the lubricant in time.
First I would try heating the shield, you may need a strap wrench to try
and loosen the dew shield.

Use Kimtech Science Kimwipes to clean and dry lenses.  I use sterile
cotton balls and sterile cotton pads.  Never use any kind of cloth or
tissue on optics. Use cleaners made for optic or make your own.

I don't know if there are any spacers between the two objective lenses.
I think they were simple doublets with two stacked lenses.

Good Luck

Sam

>  --
> TVA Home Page: http://www.temeculavalleyastronomers.com/
> Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TemeculaValleyAstronomers
> ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> Groups "TVAstronomers" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send
> an email to tvastronomer...@googlegroups.com.
> To view this discussion visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/tvastronomers/SA1PR19MB68196D1A7DA7C00837979B8A8A61A%40SA1PR19MB6819.namprd19.prod.outlook.com

> [1].
>
>
> Links:
> ------
> [1]
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/tvastronomers/SA1PR19MB68196D1A7DA7C00837979B8A8A61A%40SA1PR19MB6819.namprd19.prod.outlook.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer