Filter Assembly Installation

With the help from a 2nd person, it should only take about 10 minutes to install the filter slide unit. All you need is a short, stubby phillips-head screw driver. The screws I have provided are basically self-tapping through plastic, Kydex, or wood. Not metal. Install the filter assembly prior to mounting your filters into the slide.

• With the focuser racked all the way in, place all three pieces of the unit together over the focuser hole. One person should hold all three pieces tightly together with one of the open filter holes clicked into it's position for centering over the focuser tube. Feel, with your finger, that the filter slide hole is centered over the focuser tube.

• While the helper is firmly holding the assembly in place, hand screw the 4 sharp screws into the tube wall through the pre-drilled holes.
  CAUTION: Be VERY careful to not screw through the outer wall of the tube. The tips of the screws are very sharp and will damage the finish of your tube.
  -If your focuser is mounted on wood frame, as in most truss type of dobs, one of the sets of screws should be the proper length. Careful not to let the screw protrude out the outside of the wood as it will mar your finish and be a sharp point.
  -If you have a sonner tube that the focuser is mounted on you can
  a. Let the screw protrude and file down the screw tip (definitely a pain and also somewhat unsightly) or
  b. Buy some nuts and bolts to mount by drilling pilot holes(More work!)

• Once you have all screws place, try sliding the filter holder. If it is too tight, try loosening the screws a very small amount to loosen the assembly. This is usually necessary. If it is too loose you might not have held the 3 pieces tightly enough together during the screwing process. THIS is a problem as you will have to drill new holes into the filter assembly and re-install the entire assembly(not good, obviously). *Make sure the filter slide catches on the inner most notch towards the finger hole. It is important that it is tight enough to prevent the filter slide from slipping all the way through and falling down the tube!

No paint and a very thin layer of wax has been placed along the edge of the slide to help reduce friction. With that and a proper installation, the sliding action should be a smooth and easy action.