Tripod Leg Spreader for HEQ5Pro

[Astroman]

Hello,

Does anyone know if there are plans available or a commercial product available that is a tripod leg spreader for a HEQ5Pro. I want to be able to stop the tripod legs from spreading out too far and also give some sort of strength to the tripod it'self. The one I was thinking about was low on the tripod leg, near the part that tightens the legs when extended, not in the usual tray location.

[Barrykgerdes]

I have not seen one but making a device similar to that wich Meade has on their tripods should be no bother.

If you have tools and can work with metal quite a sophisticated one can be made but if you have nothing more than a drill and hacksaw a practical device can be made from a length of 3mm x 20mm aluminium, some 8mm bolts with nyloc nuts and three worm drive hose clips.

Cut the Aluminium into three pieces about 50cm long (this length can be found by experiment). Drill 8mm holes at each end. Cut three more short pieces of aluminium (50mm) and drill a 8mm in one end then bend these into an obtuse angle so that when they are clamped under the hose clips they will be at a suitable angle to mate with the other parts. This will be very basic and won't fold.

To make it fold up you will need to make angle brackets and use some extra bolts so that the spreader legs can pivot up and down.

Barry

[deanm]

I highly recommend TPI Astro's range of tripod spreaders:

http://www.tpiastro.com/

Very professionally-constructed in brushed aluminium.

Obviously costs rather more than, say, Barry's DIY solution, but what's cheap in this hobby?!

I bought one for an NEQ6 Pro & it works a treat - adds great stability.

And it folds up with the tripod legs, so once it's fitted, you don't have to keep re-fitting.

And the bloke (Dave) who runs TPI is a gem: he really goes out of his way to make sure you are happy with the product.

Dean

[Steffen]

Barry's DIY solution. ;)

Seriously though, as a fellow HEQ5Pro owner I'd like to understand the rationale behind wanting to limit the leg spread. I thought the legs had to be pushed out as far as possible for maximum stability? I always tighten the hand screw below the accessory tray as much as I can, tuck the legs outward a bit, tighten the screw again, etc.

EDIT: I like the battery tray option from TPI, putting a heavy lead-acid battery there is surely going to dampen the whole setup.

Cheers
Steffen.

[Shiraz]

Andrew - hope you don't mind me dropping in - Steffen, this is what happened to it
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=60161

[Steffen]

Ouch! I'll definitely keep an eye on that from now on…

Cheers
Steffen.

[Astroman]

Thats okay Ray, no problems at all, saves me trying to explain it... I will be dropping by Bunnings tonight for a nosey around to see if I can get some ideas.. Even looked around work and came up with part of a solution, will investigate more... Thanks Barry for the ideas.. Thanks Deanmm I will check them out also..

[Barrykgerdes]

No chance of that happening to mine. I just don't have the wrist power any more.

By the way I actually made a device to limit the spread and make the tripod more stable for an ETX70. I used Bowden wire. Works like a charm.


Barry

[Capricorn1(Tom)]

Barry thats a smart solution...cheers Tom

[brian nordstrom]

Tom , here is what I did on my WO - HW tripod .
Cost about $25 at Bunnings for all the bits .
This also works like a charm .
Brian.

[2stroke]

Great work, this will be a nice simple mod to keep polar alignment more set, will get on this myself cheers for the idea's and op.

[Steffen]

Incidentally I had a look around at Bunnings today, too, inspired by this thread. My bits added up to over $100, must have been all those marine grade 316 steel bits I chose… :) I held off for now, and might look into a chain (rather than steel wire) solution. This seems more cost-effective.

Cheers
Steffen.

[Astroman]

Hi Barry
How is it hooked onto the tripod, cannot quite see by the photo's?

Andrew.

[Barrykgerdes]

Ah that is a special part and may not be easy to duplicate. It is made like a hose clamp, The strap is a slice cut from an old computer case with a pair of tinsnips and wrapped around the leg snuggly with the ends held together with 3/16" metal threads. Materials were in the junk box. If I had to do it again I may use something else.

Old computer cases are a great source of thin metal plate that is much stronger than jam tins and easily worked with tinsnips, bandsaw, jigsaw etc.

Barry

[Astroman]

Thanks Barry, makes sense now. Got a couple of cases lying about here so might make use of them. Great idea.

[brian nordstrom]

:lol: Ha ha Steffen , I just used good old , down and dirty 'Galvanised' fittings , but yea the stainless fittings do look the part .$$$$$$
Brian.

[Astroman]

Okay got the bits together and made up a spreader for the tripod. Will give it a go tonight, I think I might need to tweak it a little to get the legs to spread a little closer together, I think they are a little too far apart... Cost me $40.02 for the Chain, a few keyrings and 3 keyring holder things... not sure what they are called. the Aluminium in the middle is a little overkill, but it's all I had at the time.

[brian nordstrom]

:thumbsup: Looking good Andrew , should do the trick nicely .
Brian.

[Astroman]

Used it tonight, it works well easy to use and setup, will be working on another version now I know what is involved....

[tpiastro.com]

Hi Guys- I am curious as to why one would want to stop the tripod legs from spreading OUT. The tripod is designed with a positive stop already at the top of the tripod legs. The legs forced OUT further greatly enhances the stability of the tripod by locking the legs and putting more pressure on the stops than the stock spreader can create.
Cheers,

[Astroman]

Hi Dave,

As previously mentioned if you goto http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=60161 it tells of the mishap of the tripod leg which I have now in my possession. The spreader chains etc.. stop the leg from slipping further out. The Stop you refer to looks really small and I am really surprised not more tripods have has this happen to them. It really does look like a weak point in their design. If I could have fixed this or got a spare HEQ5Pro tripod leg from somewhere then I wouldn't need the spreader.. Ideally I would have liked one that you sell David, but not willing to cough up that sort of cash for one yet..