ballaratdragons
05-03-2005, 02:16 PM
Want to make a Zero Mag Quickfinder that will fit ANY telescope with a finderscope?
See Photo below of the parts and a completed model:
You can use any size PVC tubes. I used 48mm for the main tube (from a kids swimming pool frame), 38mm for the look-in tube (swimming pool again), 55mm PVC pipe for the Dew cover (not necessary but it looks better) and the adjustable mounting ring, an oil bottle lid (for the back end), a small piece of wood cut at 45 degrees and a small peice of mirror cut (or broken) into an oval.
Paint all parts before assembly.
In the main tube, cut a hole 3mm smaller than the look-in tube. On the end of the look-in tube that connects to the main tube, file or sand it to the shape of the tube so it sits flush. Glue it on (when painted).
Glue the oval mirror (cut to fit inside main tube) onto the wood (cut at 45 degrees). Slide the mirror assembly into the tube and glue into place directly under look-in tube, making sure the open end of the tube is in centre of view.
For the Adjustable Mounting ring drill 3 small holes at one end and screw in small bolts (cutting the thread is easy with the bolts). The other end is held in place on the main tube with a rubber 'O' ring.
Slide adjustable assembly onto main tube.
Glue a plastic bottle lid into the mirror end to make it look neater.
If you want (just for neatness & looks) add a dew cover to the front end.
Because I didn't want to drill holes in my scope I made a vice-grip type of mount.
The mount is pine, cut with a Jig-Saw to the basic shape and size of the finder and the Qickfinder. Glue some bicycle tube rubber onto the surfaces that touch the finders. Drill a hole in the top mount. Attach mount to both the finders and screw through to the bottom mount, gently tightening until the Quickfinder doesn't move.
Line it up using the adjusting bolts in the Mounting ring and PRESTO!
In the photo below is a finished unit and the parts for another identical unit I am making.
Good Luck!
NOTE: The larger the diameter of the main tube, the better the ease of use.
This is a fast locator finder, not an accurate magnified finder.
See Photo below of the parts and a completed model:
You can use any size PVC tubes. I used 48mm for the main tube (from a kids swimming pool frame), 38mm for the look-in tube (swimming pool again), 55mm PVC pipe for the Dew cover (not necessary but it looks better) and the adjustable mounting ring, an oil bottle lid (for the back end), a small piece of wood cut at 45 degrees and a small peice of mirror cut (or broken) into an oval.
Paint all parts before assembly.
In the main tube, cut a hole 3mm smaller than the look-in tube. On the end of the look-in tube that connects to the main tube, file or sand it to the shape of the tube so it sits flush. Glue it on (when painted).
Glue the oval mirror (cut to fit inside main tube) onto the wood (cut at 45 degrees). Slide the mirror assembly into the tube and glue into place directly under look-in tube, making sure the open end of the tube is in centre of view.
For the Adjustable Mounting ring drill 3 small holes at one end and screw in small bolts (cutting the thread is easy with the bolts). The other end is held in place on the main tube with a rubber 'O' ring.
Slide adjustable assembly onto main tube.
Glue a plastic bottle lid into the mirror end to make it look neater.
If you want (just for neatness & looks) add a dew cover to the front end.
Because I didn't want to drill holes in my scope I made a vice-grip type of mount.
The mount is pine, cut with a Jig-Saw to the basic shape and size of the finder and the Qickfinder. Glue some bicycle tube rubber onto the surfaces that touch the finders. Drill a hole in the top mount. Attach mount to both the finders and screw through to the bottom mount, gently tightening until the Quickfinder doesn't move.
Line it up using the adjusting bolts in the Mounting ring and PRESTO!
In the photo below is a finished unit and the parts for another identical unit I am making.
Good Luck!
NOTE: The larger the diameter of the main tube, the better the ease of use.
This is a fast locator finder, not an accurate magnified finder.