Nice flocking find (1 Viewer)

I've been lining astro scopes of 70mm and 80mm with black emery paper
(carbide sandpaper), but I found a flatter black by coincidence..

There are these thin plastic "Wexford 32 pocket Folder with prongs" binders
at the Walgreen drug store (here in Mass/USA), and the INSIDE of them is
amazingly flat black when cut apart from the folder. It smoothly opens out
when rolled tightly and let go in the barrel and in the focuser tube.
I saw a big increase in contrast. Beautiful scenes using a Super-Plossl
ocular from some old binoculars.

It probably has limits...it may need some taping to avoid slippage when bumped,
and it probably need help pressing outward at 100mm and over. Thicker poly
with the same finish would be handy, or maybe some springy
wire coiled and let go to hold it out.

It's a great flat black though, and no chance of grit falling in the tube.
I'm guessing it will show up elsewhere in the world with different
brand names, but that's the thing to look for: A 2-pocket folder with
prongs inside to hold 3-hole paper in.

I figured an option to keep the liner from sliding
(if it presses against the barrel OK)...
----punch a few little holes in the liner
----slip it in
---dot over the holes with a good 'chewy' adhesive
This makes little hold-down posts out of the adhesive so
you don't need to depend on adhesive/polyethylene sticking over time.

Why don't you get real flocking material. It is quick and easy to install.

Something like this?
http://www.fpi-protostar.com/hitack.htm
A little pricey, but very impressive.

I saw so many DIY things at the astro forums I didn't
realize this was so available.

Here's some more:
http://www.scopestuff.com/ss_flok.htm


I get nervous with all the self-stick adhesive.
Like...what if I mess up. Easy to do right at 6 inches,
tricky at 60mm or 80mm, I'm thinking.
I need a scope plus tripod I can hike a little ways with,
about a 15-30 minute climb.
Good to know about though!

I'm noticing another use for the plastic binder material.
It's easy to make hoods with a electrician's tape, and
it springs back if crumpled. I've done some binoculars
and added a bit to the 70mm shade for higher powers.
It's the 'workability' that's nice.

OPTIC_NUT said:

Something like this?
http://www.fpi-protostar.com/hitack.htm
A little pricey, but very impressive.

I saw so many DIY things at the astro forums I didn't
realize this was so available.

Here's some more:
http://www.scopestuff.com/ss_flok.htm


I get nervous with all the self-stick adhesive.
Like...what if I mess up. Easy to do right at 6 inches,
tricky at 60mm or 80mm, I'm thinking.
I need a scope plus tripod I can hike a little ways with,
about a 15-30 minute climb.
Good to know about though!

I'm noticing another use for the plastic binder material.
It's easy to make hoods with a electrician's tape, and
it springs back if crumpled. I've done some binoculars
and added a bit to the 70mm shade for higher powers.
It's the 'workability' that's nice.

Click to expand...

I flocked my SW80ED with the material from ScopeStuff. I didn't flock the main tube because it was impossible due to the baffles but flocked everything else: focuser tube, extension tube, tele-negative and camera adapter. It made a big difference and it was not difficult. I had to remove some after about 3 months and it was easy - no residue. Highly recommended.

Very nice to know about removability!

You might actually be able to slip a length of my mentioned springy plastic stuff
between your baffles. You hold it tightly rolled (or use a string) until
it's mostly through the first baffle, let-go/cut-loose, and poke it through.
It expands itself inside the space. It would work at 80mm. Probably
not at 120mm +.

Doing the focuer tube makes a huge difference, I found. Grey to black.