Just Sharing This Channel Master 1.2M Installation/Restoration

[archive10]

Some time ago I've found source for CM polar-mounts (it was quite limited). Sent them all, except one to other lucky SAT-hobbyists. Jut now wanted to see how new bolt with scale on it look like, but then decided to keep box originally sealed and placed it back to shelve. I also have brand new CM120 with feedarms and new plastic LNB-holder. So, one day I will install that set.......not today. View attachment 115900

Sneak preview of what is inside that time-capsule box (it will be at least 20 years old by now):



Actuator bar not pictured...

 

[RustySpoons]

Or this...

Sneak preview of what is inside that time-capsule box (it will be at least 20 years old by now):



Actuator bar not pictured...

WOW!!!!!!

 

[archive10]

WOW!!!!!!

Yes, but why did the product people at andrews just paint the darned things when galvanising would have made these gems last forever??
(Yes, yes, I know the answer is cost saving blabla. But I have been considering getting this sandblasted to remove paint, THEN galvanised...)

 

[RustySpoons]

Yes, but why did the product people at andrews just paint the darned things when galvanising would have made these gems last forever??
(Yes, yes, I know the answer is cost saving blabla. But I have been considering getting this sandblasted to remove paint, THEN galvanised...)

They galved the fixed mount though, so I don't quite understand it.
Also why do Global Skyware not still make the Polar Mount?

I'm stripping mine down, Zinc coat then Paint

 

[archive10]

They galved the fixed mount though, so I don't quite understand it.
Also why do Global Skyware not still make the Polar Mount?

I'm stripping mine down, Zinc coat then Paint

The polar mount was AFAIK made when Andrew Corporation owned the CM brand (and the moulds).
The Az/El (fixed) mount from that time was also just painted (I have one sitting rusting away behind the shed).

The galvanished CM mounts dates from ASC and later times.
The polar mounts belonged to the analog days. Some even say the good old days (@Analoguesat @Channel Hopper chime in now)...
When ASC, and later Skyware took over, digital broadcast remove the need for muti-sat reception from the general viewer.
So no more polar mounts are needed, most customers are happy with with the dish poiinting at just one sat.

These days, polar mounts are limited to enthusiast's equipment, and therefore not made by "major" sat-vendors...
And, hey, enthusiasts will (instead of buying a new shiny product) buy some old rust thing, and them restore that to "as-new". Not much sale in that...

 

[RustySpoons]

The polar mount was AFAIK made when Andrew Corporation owned the CM brand (and the moulds).
The Az/El (fixed) mount from that time was also just painted (I have one sitting rusting away behind the shed).

The galvanished CM mounts dates from ASC and later times.
The polar mounts belonged to the analog days. Some even say the good old days (@Analoguesat @Channel Hopper chime in now)...
When ASC, and later Skyware took over, digital broadcast remove the need for muti-sat reception from the general viewer.
So no more polar mounts are needed, most customers are happy with with the dish poiinting at just one sat.

These days, polar mounts are limited to enthusiast's equipment, and therefore not made by "major" sat-vendors...
And, hey, enthusiasts will (instead of buying a new shiny product) buy some old rust thing, and them restore that to "as-new". Not much sale in that...

In the 1990s when I had my Oval shaped 70cm Dish with NEC Style LNB and Magnetic Polariser, I dreamed of a 36v motor and a CM Dish, I used to see them in peoples gardens and thought I'd love to be able to have one of them. So the CM holds a special place in my heart
I think we need to save all these Polar Mounts

 

[RustySpoons]

I've hit a stumbling block, I need to find replacement bearings but struggling to find something suitable.
I believe the originals are imperial looking at the hole sizes on the mount.

 

[RustySpoons]

I wonder if my measurements are correct.

Oilite flange: 5/8 od x 1/2 id
Steel? inner bearing 1/2 od x 5/16 id

 

[Channel Hopper]

Yes, everything in the 80s design is good old 'imperial' (well as imperial as an 8 gallon hat can be)

 

[RustySpoons]

Yes, everything in the 80s design is good old 'imperial' (well as imperial as an 8 gallon hat can be)

Dad was an engineer/fabricator/welder and I was brought up with imperial, we always seemed to have a classic car that he was restoring/repairing as a 2nd car. I recall everything being in good old Imperial. You don't see it so much these days unless its something imported from the USA.
(Or you buy a Halfords socket set and half of it is imperial!)

Just hope those numbers sounds correct for the bearings

 

[Channel Hopper]

If you can find the original part number for the mount (I think they would start with 60 or perhaps 600) then tracking down the manual shouldn't be too hard.

For example

Channel Master 243 Instruction And Assembly Manual (Page 8 of 9)

 

[RustySpoons]

If you can find the original part number for the mount (I think they would start with 60 or perhaps 600) then tracking down the manual shouldn't be too hard.

For example

Channel Master 243 Instruction And Assembly Manual (Page 8 of 9)

I've got the manuals for the Dish and Polar Mounts, I've ordered nearly every nut and bolt in Stainless (INOX lol) so far.
But none of the manuals give the bearing size!

List of bits I've got so far, apart from the bearings.

 

[Channel Hopper]

That's a modern version, more for the installer than the service team.

If you look at the link I provided, page before as below

Channel Master 243 Instruction And Assembly Manual (Page 7 of 9)

it shows the complete set of part numbers against quantities. It's also giving imperial sizes.

 

[purplemarina]

i've found a reciept for some oilite top hat bearings part no : aif081008 these should match to the cm ones, seem to remember i had to shorten them slightly to fit (with a file).

 

[Pipedream]

This has been mentioned in previous threads, from memory they were obtained from ebay. If you have a set of digital calipers measure the ID of the hole the bearing goes in and the OD of the bolt that goes through the bearing. The link below might be helpful

Oilite Bearing Bushes from Bearing Boys​

 

[RustySpoons]

That's a modern version, more for the installer than the service team.

If you look at the link I provided, page before as below

Channel Master 243 Instruction And Assembly Manual (Page 7 of 9)

it shows the complete set of part numbers against quantities. It's also giving imperial sizes.

CH that's for the 2.4m SMC, not the 1.2m. And it does not list bearing size (Well I can't find it anyway )

This has been mentioned in previous threads, from memory they were obtained from ebay. If you have a set of digital calipers measure the ID of the hole the bearing goes in and the OD of the bolt that goes through the bearing.

I do indeed and that's where I've got some of my measurements, but I can't measure the bearings as the ones in there are not original
The part of the polar mount the bearing fits in is approx 0.6250 which is 5/8's
The bolt OD is 8mm which would be 5/16's

 

[RustySpoons]

Finally I discovered what that thing is for in my garden with the "lines" that seems to spin around in the wind!
Got the drill and brushes out and prepped these parts, removed all the rust etc. Now coating them in some nice anti-rust primer.
It's a lovely shade of Merde don't you agree?

 

[Lazarus]

Moonbounce?

 

[RustySpoons]

Moonbounce?

No EME here, but would like to give it a go!

 

[Ghostleader]

Finally I discovered what that thing is for in my garden with the "lines" that seems to spin around in the wind!
Got the drill and brushes out and prepped these parts, removed all the rust etc. Now coating them in some nice anti-rust primer.
It's a lovely shade of Merde don't you agree?

View attachment 116202

Well my hats off to you mate you have actually found a practical use for one of those drying whirligigs, outstanding!