Optical Tube Assembly - Meade Starfinder 16 Instruction Manual

5
4
3
6
13
2
1
1. Rubber Feet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Qty. 9
2. Ground Plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Qty. 1
3. Front Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Qty. 1
4. Side Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Qty. 2
5. Wood Screws . . . . . . . . . . . . .Qty. 22
6. Base Plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Qty. 1
7. Screw Cover Caps . . . . . . . . . .Qty. 6
4. Firmly press the Screw Cover Caps (7, Fig. 2) into the heads of the wood screws on the Side Boards.
You may have to lightly tap the Screw Cover Caps to properly seat them into the screw heads.
5. Install the two side Handles (8, Fig. 2) onto the Side Boards utilizing the supplied screws. Firmly tighten
the two screws.
6. To install the center pivot bearing, first insert the Nylon Center Bearing Bushing (9, Fig. 2) into the center
hole of the Ground Plate (2, Fig. 2) from the top side. You may have to lightly tap the Bushing to fully
seat it into the hole. Place the seven nylon washers (13, Fig. 2) onto the Nylon Center Bearing Bushing.
Then, from the bottom, insert the 2 1/4" x 5/16" Hex Pivot Bolt (10, Fig. 2), with a Flat Washer (11, Fig.
2) up through the center of the Ground Plate. This bolt should then be inserted through the center hole
of the Base Plate (6, Fig. 2). Secure this assembly with the other Flat Washer and the 5/16" Locking
Nut (12, Fig. 2). NOTE: Do not overtighten the nut or the Base Plate will not easily rotate upon the
Ground Plate. Only tighten the Pivot Bolt and Nut sufficiently to maintain a very light pressure between
the Ground Plate and Base Plate. The two parts should easily turn in a "Lazy Susan" fashion.
This completes assembly of your Meade Starfinder Dobsonian Mount.

2. Optical Tube Assembly

The following steps should be used to assemble the Optical Tube Assembly:
1. The optical tube has been pre-drilled at the Meade factory to accept all standard accessories. Lay the
tube flat on a floor and attach the focuser (1, Fig. 1) as shown, using the supplied hardware. Do not
over tighten; a firm feel is sufficient.
- 6 -
1
8. Handles and Mounting Screws .Qty. 2
9. Center Bearing Bushing . . . . . . .Qty. 1
10. 2 1/4" x 5/16" Hex Pivot Bolt . . .Qty. 1
11. Flat Washers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Qty. 2
12. 5/16" Locking Nut . . . . . . . . . . .Qty. 1
13. Nylon Washers . . . . . . . . . . . . .Qty. 7
14. Side Brace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Qty. 2
Figure 2
8
7
14
12
9
11
10