[ATM] Need Help in Chicago, IL

[RP Sutton <rp@suttonsonline.us>]

Hello All -

I am having some collimation issues that I simply cannot figure out. There is 
something askew in my telescope. If I collimate with a sight 
tube/Cheshire/autocollimater setup, I can achieve the proper final image as 
indicated in the drawings. However, if I check it with a laser collimator, the 
collimation shows it to be off considerably. Likewise, if I first collimate with 
a laser and then follow up with the sight tube/Cheshire combination, the 
collimation appears off considerably in those tools even though the laser shows 
it to be right on. I have tried different collimation tools and 2 different 
lasers and have gotten the same results each time.  People have tried to help me 
through email with checking the mechanical alignment of the optical path and 
squaring the focuser etc but I just do not understand what I am supposed to be 
doing. I am really frustrated as this has been going on now for 9 months. I am 
respectfully asking- no,  PLEADING -  with the members here if there is someone 
in the Chicago area that really knows what they are doing and can look at my 
scope and fix this problem. I do not have a lot of money but I do not expect 
them to do it for free either. This scope was made for me by a good friend (he 
lives in Alabama or I am sure he'd help) and I do not have any experience with 
working on scopes. 

Thanks in advance for any help -
 
Most Sincerely,
 
RP "Patrick" Sutton
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