Tasco Scope set screw

[Guest jmoe816]

Hi, I have a Tasco 39x40 world class scope. I have somehow lost the set screw that attaches the power adjustment ring to the mechanism that actually adjusts it, which is underneath the outside ring.

I have talked to multiple gunsmiths looking for this screw and they don't have it. I even called Tasco and they said they could check it out but I would have to ship it to them.

Anyways, I had some machine screws sitting around and decided to test them. I actually found one that fit in the threading. I lined up the outer ring with the mechanism under and screwed it down. The screw is a little long. I tightened it down but the head of the screw still sticks out. I can cut it down to fit properly.

I guess I'm wondering if anyone thinks this is a bad idea? It seems to work just fine like this. If I remember, the only difference between what I have now and the factory screw was that the factory screw had a large head that could be turned ny hand. This screw I have has a regular phillips head.

[Westwindmike]

If it works, don't worry about it. If you ever need to send it in for warranty repair, just remove it first.

[Guest Lester Weevils]

Whatever works is good.

You might find a drawer of thumbwheel screws in a well-stocked hardware store.

Some of the black-colored or stainless steel allen-head machine screws have a screw head that is shaped like a "little bitty" thumbwheel. My local Ace Hw usually has many sizes of those things.

Astronomical telescopes use "big thumbwheel" chromed or stainless, (I think usually metric but could be remembering wrong) thumbwheel screws for such as eyepiece clamp or focuser lock down. There only seem a couple of typical thread sizes for those, probably more or less standard, but I don't recall the sizes offhand.

Hmm, MAYBE there is some parts commonality between Astro parts and camera parts? Maybe a well-stocked camera store with in-house repair facilities might have something?

Edited January 13, 2012 by Lester Weevils

[Guest jmoe816]

Thanks. I ended up cutting down the screw I was using. After screwing it down it fits nicely and doesn't look half bad. Thanks!