Locking azimuth rotation on Dob

[nobby2]

I just had my first outing in variable conditions with my new 8 inch Bintel Dob. Can any one tell me how to lock or at least restrict the azimuth rotation? Do you have to tension the bottom pivot bolt?

[raymo]

Hi Neil, The whole idea of the Dob is that you can move it with a gentle nudge. Unfortunately this means that the wind can move it too; and if the scope is not reasonably level it will tend to move in the downhill direction, so that you have to manually prevent it from doing that. You can,
of course tighten the centre bolt in tiny steps; but if you go just a little
too far it becomes almost impossible to start the scope moving smoothly, and it moves in little jerks. Many people with Dobs do all sorts mods
to them.
raymo

[wavelandscott]

You might try making some plastic washers. I made mine from milk jugs (search milk jug washers on the internet) and used them to add my preferred amount of stickition (how much nudge power I like) to give the scope the movement I like.

[nobby2]

It just took a couple more small turns of the azimuth base nut and a bit of experimenting to find just that correct level of tension for smooth tracking.:)

[raymo]

Looking good then.
raymo