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Starlight Instruments Machined Base to Fit Telescopes Existing Mounting Holes

by Starlight Instruments
SKU SI-BA20CL-CUSTOM
CA$476.00 - CA$476.00
CA$476.00
CA$476.00 - CA$476.00
CA$476.00
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  • Custom machined to match your telescope's specific hole pattern
  • Enables installation of a Feather Touch focuser without drilling
  • Preserves the integrity and resale value of your optical tube
  • CNC machined in the USA by Starlight Instruments
  • Provides a rigid, perfectly aligned foundation for your focuser
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  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • Warranty

  • Starlight Instruments Machined Base to Fit Telescopes Existing Mounting Holes

    This custom machined base from Starlight Instruments is the definitive solution for mounting a high-end Feather Touch focuser onto a telescope that lacks a standard-fit adapter. It allows you to upgrade your instrument's most critical component without the need to permanently alter your optical tube by drilling new holes. By creating a base that precisely matches your telescope's existing mounting pattern, Starlight Instruments provides a seamless, professional, and fully reversible upgrade path for any telescope.

    A No-Drill Solution for Any Telescope

    For owners of vintage, rare, or simply non-standard telescopes, upgrading the focuser has often meant a compromise: drill new holes or accept the limitations of the original equipment. This custom base eliminates that choice. Starlight Instruments will machine a base plate specifically for your instrument, using its factory mounting holes as the template.

    This approach ensures a perfect fit that maintains the structural integrity and originality of your telescope. The result is a rock-solid platform for a Feather Touch focuser that feels like a factory installation, providing the rigidity needed for heavy imaging trains and critical visual observation without any modification to the tube itself.

    The Starlight Instruments Precision Standard

    Every custom base is manufactured in-house at Starlight Instruments' facility in Indiana, USA, to the same exacting standards as their world-renowned Feather Touch focusers. Using state-of-the-art CNC machining, each base is crafted from high-grade aluminum for strength and light weight, then finished with a durable anodizing that matches the aesthetics of the focuser.

    • Perfect Alignment: The base is engineered to ensure the focuser is perfectly square to the optical axis, a critical requirement for achieving sharp, coma-free images across the field.
    • Flawless Finish: The anodized surface resists scratches and corrosion while providing a professional, clean look that complements any high-end telescope.
    • Guaranteed Compatibility: Because it is made to order, the base guarantees a secure, wobble-free connection between your specific telescope and your new Feather Touch focuser.

  • How do I order a Starlight Instruments custom machined base?

    Ordering a custom base is a collaborative process. Please contact us with the make and model of your telescope, as well as the specific Feather Touch focuser you intend to mount. We will then work with you and Starlight Instruments to gather the necessary measurements or templates to begin production.

    What information will I need to provide for my Starlight Instruments custom base?

    To ensure a perfect fit, you will likely need to provide precise measurements of your telescope's existing mounting hole pattern. This often involves creating a "rubbing" or a detailed drawing with center-to-center distances for each hole. In some cases, photographs of the mounting area may also be required. We will guide you through the specific information needed for your project.

    Why is using a custom base for my telescope better than drilling new holes?

    Using a custom base that fits existing holes offers several key advantages:

    • Preserves Resale Value: Drilling permanent holes in a telescope tube, especially a classic or high-end model, can significantly reduce its value. A custom base makes the upgrade completely reversible.
    • Maintains Structural Integrity: It avoids compromising the optical tube with new holes that could introduce stress or flexure.
    • Ensures Proper Alignment: It guarantees the focuser is mounted correctly without the risk of misalignment from hand-drilled holes.

    Can Starlight Instruments make a base for a vintage refractor like a Unitron or a large Dobsonian?

    Yes. This service is ideal for virtually any telescope, from classic refractors and reflectors to custom-built Dobsonians. As long as accurate measurements of the existing mounting holes can be provided, Starlight Instruments can machine a base to facilitate the installation of a Feather Touch focuser.

    What is the typical lead time for a Starlight Instruments custom machined base?

    Because each base is a custom, made-to-order part, lead times can vary depending on the complexity of the design and the current production schedule at Starlight Instruments. Please contact us for a current estimate based on your specific requirements.

    Will this custom base be compatible with accessories like the Focuser Boss II?

    This base is purely a mechanical adapter to mount the focuser itself. It does not interfere with the focuser's operation or its compatibility with electronic accessories like the Starlight Instruments Focuser Boss II or Handy Stepper Motor (HSM). Your focuser will function exactly as it would with a standard base.

  • Compatibility Custom machined for specific telescope and focuser combinations
    Material High-grade, anodized aluminum
    Manufacturing CNC machined in the USA
  • Starlight Instruments 2-Year Warranty