Tips or tricks for focusing/focuser mechanism

Hi all

As you know my scope is only a few weeks old (well since i bought it). I notice that the focus wheels/track are very stiff and not very forgiving (when i turn them the whole scope shakes and i often lose sight of my targeted object). I'm sure with time and use that they will become looser and easier to fine tune, but is there something i could do now to eliminate the issue?

I've read that some people take the focuser apart and wash it and apply new oil/grease (WD40 or the likes). Is this recommended practice?

Or is it a case of small scopes really not being that well finely tuned (manufactured) as the more expensive scopes are and basically no amount of tinkering with it will improve the focusing mechanism?

Dont get me wrong..............it's a great scope and the focus is fine, it's just STIFF...............not unusually stiff (as to warrant being sent back for replacement or anything). I'd just like it if the focuser flowed a little smoother and looser.

Paul

Isn't there a screw behind it? On my focuser, there's a black screw thing and you just loosen it and the focuser becomes smooth, or tighten it and the focuser becomes tight (I think this is to lock it in position)

I'm not too sure of the set-up on my scope i havent had a look (guess i should really). I think the whole thing is encased in the scope barrell and not too easy to get to. I'll have a looksey.

The wheels are held on by a little plate and 4 screws. So i have two options:

1/ loosen the screws and plate and see if that works

or

2/ Take off the plate and apply new oil/grease to the wheel cog and track.

Now i think of it, the set up on my very 1st ever scope was pretty much the same (2 screws). I loosened the screws which in turn loosened the plate and the focusing became much less stiffer and allowed me to fine tune the focusing much more.

Think i'll give that a go tomorrow.

Keep in mind though a slightly stiff focuser is probably better
than a loose one.

Well yeah i dont want it too loose cuz it will run riot. I'll give it a bit of an old tweak tomorrow and come to a setting that i'm happy with. I dont fancy much applying new oil/grease. Loosening the screws should just seperate the wheel cog from the track teeth enough to make it smooth.

(and yes Frank i know your comment was full of inuendo)

LOL.