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  #1  
Old 21-04-2017, 02:52 PM
Kunama
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Handling a TOA130NFB

As most of you know, the TOA is a little bit on the heavy side for a 5" scope....
Getting to grips with it in the dark is fraught with danger, Gravity is trying its best to fight my now aging body....

So to get a handle on the matter, I decided to make a decent handle today...

Using 10mm thick aluminium angle I made two end brackets that attach to the TOA rings using four M6x20 s/s cap-screws. Between the brackets is a 110mm x 20mm Ø aluminium bar that has been drilled and tapped each end to take M8x30 cap screws. The bar was sleeved with 20mm ID carbon fibre tube which was glued to the aluminium bar.

Before assembly the end brackets were treated to some 180,400,600,1200 wet&dry before being polished with lots of AutoSol paste and 'elbow grease'
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Old 21-04-2017, 03:03 PM
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FlashDrive (Poppy)
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That's really nice Matt ... great professional job .

Col...
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Old 21-04-2017, 03:03 PM
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I was looking at some gorgeous stainless L brackets just like these in Bunnings a few days ago trying to decide what to do with them...I now know!
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Old 21-04-2017, 03:36 PM
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Polished ali and carbon fibre looks very classy mate, better being safe than sorry with an awesome scope like that too....
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Old 21-04-2017, 03:46 PM
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Nice. I can imagine the price if it was an offical Tak accessory. Are you going into production?
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Old 21-04-2017, 05:16 PM
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At your advanced age Matt, any help is advantageous
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Old 21-04-2017, 05:32 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LewisM View Post
I was looking at some gorgeous stainless L brackets just like these in Bunnings a few days ago trying to decide what to do with them...I now know!

Yeah but you don't have a TOA130
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  #8  
Old 21-04-2017, 05:33 PM
issdaol (Phil)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kunama View Post
As most of you know, the TOA is a little bit on the heavy side for a 5" scope....
Getting to grips with it in the dark is fraught with danger, Gravity is trying its best to fight my now aging body....

So to get a handle on the matter, I decided to make a decent handle today...

Using 10mm thick aluminium angle I made two end brackets that attach to the TOA rings using four M6x20 s/s cap-screws. Between the brackets is a 110mm x 20mm Ø aluminium bar that has been drilled and tapped each end to take M8x30 cap screws. The bar was sleeved with 20mm ID carbon fibre tube which was glued to the aluminium bar.

Before assembly the end brackets were treated to some 180,400,600,1200 wet&dry before being polished with lots of AutoSol paste and 'elbow grease'
Excellent
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Old 21-04-2017, 05:37 PM
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Yeah but you don't have a TOA130
Yet.

I'm waiting for Matt to tire carrying it.
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  #10  
Old 21-04-2017, 05:41 PM
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Yet.

I'm waiting for Matt to tire carrying it.
I suppose he is getting on ....the poor old codger
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  #11  
Old 21-04-2017, 06:20 PM
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Being younger than the lot of you what has to be considered is who'll get the longest run of use so I'll put up my hand for that

Ha dale looks great Matt
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  #12  
Old 21-04-2017, 06:48 PM
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Get in line whipper-snapper - I'm the second youngest, so you can wait.
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  #13  
Old 21-04-2017, 06:48 PM
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Very neat job, Matt! I'm not very handy with physical materials and it always amazes me when someone can build something so neat.

Cheers,
Rick.
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  #14  
Old 21-04-2017, 07:53 PM
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Very neat idea indeed, Matt, and a nice inspiration too.

My APM 130 triplet APO is possibly even heaver at 11kg and could really use a handle like that though I'll have to get some new rings to accommodate one.
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  #15  
Old 22-04-2017, 05:10 AM
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Thanks gents, I'm pretty pleased with the result of a couple of hours toil.
No plans for the production line yet Glen.
The TOA NFB all kitted up with rings, dove-plate, finder and diagonal weighs just over 16Kg so needed something fairly solid. The carbonfibre tube adds a little bit of bling.
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  #16  
Old 22-04-2017, 07:57 PM
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That looks awesome Matt, congrats on another nifty pro project
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  #17  
Old 23-04-2017, 07:53 PM
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That looks awesome Matt, congrats on another nifty pro project
Stuart I have a couple more little additions for the scope/mount combo in the works... but the handle has certainly made it safer to tote about.
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  #18  
Old 23-04-2017, 08:00 PM
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Beautiful finish Matt

Best
JA
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  #19  
Old 23-04-2017, 08:33 PM
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Nice work - I certainly prefer to wait until morning before putting mine back in her box.

DT
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  #20  
Old 24-04-2017, 11:31 AM
issdaol (Phil)
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Hey Matt,

I think I have found a system that might be better for you and your TOA130.

You can permanently mount the AZEQ6 and TOA130 on the trailer and make a removable cover and you'll be up and running in minutes !

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