Laser Collimator Alignment Upgrade Tool and 1.25 to 2" Adapter

thingiverse

Align your telescope accurately for astrophotography even if your current laser collimator has a bore-sight error. This 1.25" to 2" adapter has adjustments to correct imperfect laser collimators. This is made for new astrophotographers who already have an inexpensive laser but discover that it isn't accurate. This design references the cylindrical ID of your 2" drawtube in the same manner as it will be referenced by your camera adapter or coma corrector OD, to give you the the same end result as the best possible laser. Hardware BOM: - 3ea Compression Spring, 6x1x10mm - 3ea M3x30 - 1ea M3x12 - 4ea M3 nuts - 1ea 1/4-20 nut (for V block) Usage Method 1: Set a target on the wall and mount the V block on your tripod. Install your own laser collimator in this adapter tool, press it onto the V block and aim the tripod at the target, then rotate the laser 180 degrees. Adjust the tool to bring laser halfway back to center. Aim the tripod back to the target, rotate 180 degrees, and repeat alignment if needed. Usage Method 2 (e.g. inside a Newtonian telescope): Install your laser collimator in this adapter tool, place it in the drawtube of your telescope and snug it down with the clamp and sight the beam on the primary mirror. Center the beam on the primary by adjusting the secondary mirror. Rotate the laser and tool 180 degrees and snug it down again, then adjust the tool to move the laser halfway back to center. Repeat alignment of the secondary mirror and collimator tool as needed. Comments are welcome, if you can see how to make it better. The V block is simple but requiring the user to hold the tube down on the V is not ideal. Maybe it needs some sort of spring load or needs to use gravity better. I also sell these on ebay as a convenience.