New Dob mounts for existing dob or OTA

[mental4astro]

Hi all,

Do you have an existing dob mount that’s seen better days?

Do you have an OTA that you’d like to make more use of but don’t want to always set up your EQ mount?

Maybe what you need is a new dob mount.

I can custom make a dob mount for your existing OTA that will meet your particular requirements. Large or small, even table top. Can also be fitted with encoders and even servo motors (supplied by a yourself or a third party). A custom made mount could offer you greater rigidity, more stability, lighter, smoother action, longevity of use and great flexibility of use.

The designs followed strictly follow the principles that actually make the dobsonian mount work: material selection, rigidity of build, location of bearing points and balance. Too many commercially made mounts don’t follow these principles closely enough so the mounts absorb moisture and become unusable, use bearing materials or mechanisms that make the scope difficult to use, or are just a dog of a mount. If your dob’s OTA is unbalanced from the location of its trunnions, we can look at improving this too as much as possible.

If you have an existing solid tube OTA, the cradle is made such that you can easily remove the OTA from it and replace it back onto its EQ mount, and vice versa.

I will look to use as much as possible from your existing mount as both practical and to reduce waste.

The mount can be also delivered fully assembled or as a flat-pack. Price depends on the type of work required.

Below are some pics of some completed mounts, including my most recent for fellow IIS’er Dave2024 to replace the broken down mount of his 12” Lightbridge, with its old Argo Navis encoders replaced and new azimuth pivot bolt.

If you have any questions, please PM me.

This ad has been placed with the approval of Mike Salway.

[mental4astro]

Lovely, an order for a new mount for a 10" OTA has been made by Troy. Going to also be fitted with encoders for an Argo Navis system. Thanks Troy, :D

[gb_astro]

Good idea Alex.
Hope it goes well.

gb.

[carlstronomy]

For anyone who is interested and is not sure, I got to see one of the dob stands Alex had made last year when I purchased my 9.25" SCT from him.:hi:

From what I saw these are really good units made to a high standard, the bearings worked great and it was solid and smooth.:thumbsup:

Not to mention that Alex is a true gentleman and extremely trustworthy.:)

Carl

[mental4astro]

Hey folks, if you are expecting a 20 buck chuck job like that comes from overseas, don't PM me. If you think I'm asking too much, get a quote from a timber smith - after they stop laughing at your request, they'll still have no idea what is required. You're getting a bargain from me.

The other solution is make it yourself. All the info on how to is in this site.

I don't expect everyone who PMs me to go ahead with a project. But don't expect get 4 to 12 hours of someone's time and materials for nothing.

Thank you to those of you who have PMed me and have taken the time to go through this process thoughtfully with me. It's been a pleasure to do this with you. I hope more people like yourselves continue to PM me.

Alex.

[troypiggo]

I can vouch for Alex's professionalism on this. He's been discussing progress and options throughout the design process. Plenty of great and creative ideas. Very involved and hands-on. I can tell it's not going to be a thrown-together cheapie base. He takes it very seriously. Can't wait.

[Wavytone]

+1. Alex's dobs are fine !

[mental4astro]

Thank you for your support Troy and Wavy!

I've got a new order again for a new mount for graham.hobart for his 10" f/4 Newt fitted with an Argo Navis system.

With the number of mounts in the pipeline and the number of enquiries, I've now been able to deal direct with Gary Kopff to supply the Argo systems directly for my mounts, allowing me to supply this magnificent system at a better price than is possible through the Wildcards website, with exact mounting hardware for my mounts - no guess work! Thank you Gary, :)

I've also had an enquiry asking about making a very large aperture scope. This is something I'll certainly consider. The scope designs I'm happy to design for you won't necessarily be the orthodox "Obsession" design, but more along the lines of ultra lights as there is already SDM here in Oz producing excellent "Obsession" scopes, and I'd rather pursue a different design avenue to provide Australia with a range of design choices.

Alex.

[mental4astro]

Troy's mount is finished, just awaiting delivery, :)

Thanks Troy. I hope you get many a long night with it!

[Varangian]

I love it! Well done. It will certainly stand out on the observing field and provides a spin on the Chinese manufactured dob bases. Well done Alex.

[mental4astro]

Graham's finally got around to assembling his mount down in Tassie.

"Star Ship Sadie" is up and running, :) with a brand new Argo Navis system.

I'll post a pic of Graham's scope loaded into the mount as soon as I get it.

[slowflow]

You missed the other big advantage of the plywood replacement.
It is lighter and can be carried. Well done good luck.:)

[mental4astro]

Ta, Barry. Yes, lighter AND stronger.

For Graham's mount he asked for marine grade ply. This hardwood ply is amazing as the angle of the incident light changes - in one instance it can look blonde as the locks of a Swedish beauty. The next as dark as chocolate & good enough to eat. Quite something.

[graham.hobart]

I agree with Alex. It is a thing of beauty- I didn't want to put it outside as it looks like a nice furniture item from Sweden!
Wife won out so is now under a scope stuff 365 mount cover.
It is beautiful!
There you go..
By the way works a treat- now just need my new eye pieces.....
Graz:D

[graham.hobart]

just some more pics of how good this thing is.......

Just to make this clear, I had a 10'' GSO newt that was stressing my old mount and therefore sitting idle. I spoke to Alex and we hashed out a plan and because I am on the Island down under all the stuff was done on line or on the phone. Hence the mount came flat packed with extensive instructions. Despite the delay with me building it (family stuff first), it only took me about two hours to build it including putting the optical encoders in. It was sweet!!
The mount itself is really a work of art. I consulted with Alex about a retro (Jetsons) type rocket feel for my daughter- a starship for Sadie.
He came up with the design and the logo- brilliant!
The pieces came together exceptionally well and for me (who buys a bookcase from fantastic furniture and still has half a dozen screws and bits of wood left) was a joy.
It has made me think about buying expensive eye pieces to go with it- as I feel now I have a Nissan Sunny scope on a Faberge egg mount!!
Any questions about it - feel free to contact me
Overall it has been a painless, pleasurable time to get a scope I wasn't using into a scope which is now a centre piece!
Go Massey!!!!!
Cheers
Graz

[mental4astro]

These mounts are still available to be made. Happy to discuss any questions or requirements you may have.

Mental.