TASCO 11tr

I was just given a Tasco 11TR telescope. I have noticed the rear mirror is quite dusty . Is there any way to remove the rear miror and clean it with distilled water and lense cleaning cloth ? I have just ordered new parts for it , Lenses and adjustig knob , I am hoping to bring her back to good condition . Please advise, Tony

Hi

Yes, you can remove the mirror and clean it VERY GENTLY since you can easily scratch the coatings. I use mild soapy water and rinse and rinse. If you get smudges, lightly apply some rubbing alcohol, but go easy.

The trick is to remove the mirror with the cell as a unit. If you loosen the wrong screws, all you will do is loosen the mirror in the cell, which can then drop out. On the back of the scope, the cell bolts are usually the ones threaded all the way in. These are the ones to remove. The adjustment bolts are the ones that appear to be only partly threaded in. Don't touch these.

Joanie
OpticsPlanet

Thank you for the feed back , The scope has one round black metal assembly that appears to be attached to the rear edge of the cylinder by 3 sheet metal screws. , The three screws through the black assembly and screw into the very edge of the cylinder. When I removed the 3 screws , the assembly still would not seperate from the cylinder. There are also 3 or 4 very large thumb screws on the back of the black assembly . I believe these are the adjusting screws. I have not touched these. I do not want to force the black assembly off of the tube. on the opposite side of this black assembly is the mirror . Of couse this is on the inside of the cylinder. I do not think it should take allot of force to remove the assembly. Any other advise is welcome ,

Hi

It may be a tight fit, but I think these are the right screws. Cell attachment screws are usually located on the side or back and are usually flush.

Large knurled screws usually indicate adjustment screws.

I'd visit a local astronomy club. Astronomers are helpful folks and you'll probably have several volunteers to help.

I took mine apart today (only to find the mirrors degraded to the point of uselessness after 16 years in storage). The three sheet metal screws on the outside of the cell are the correct screws, but the tube has "catches" on it to make removal very difficult. Keep pulling and wiggling, and it will come off.

Hi

You can have the mirrors re-aluminized - something you will eventually have to do with all reflectors - but it is probably not cost effective to do so on an inexpensive reflector.