Spontaneous counterweights

[04Stefan07]

Any good DIY weights that can be used as counterweights?

The rod size is 12mm.

I saw some one use a round door stop, just drilled a whole in in.

[ZeroID]

Gym barbell weights, 5 kg. You may have to sleeve them, I used some alum tubing but plastic hose, electrical ducting, etc will all do the job. I'm carrying an extra 10 kg on the EQ6.

[BC]

Kmart weights are very reasonable prices, but require a sleeve as mentioned previously

[Icearcher]

Are you thinking for the star adventurer?

You could get really creative and make something like this:

https://www.darkframeoptics.com/product/bodai-global-cloverthree-red

Just dont use cans of beer, they seem to somehow empty themselves during the night. :P

You could make something that screws onto the 1/4inch bolt on the other end of the L bracket?

Or maybe seeing as the counterweight bar has a bolt on the end, you could replace it with a longer bolt that has a heap of washers or nuts on it? Seeing as how its at the far end of the lever, you would need less weight to do the job.

These are all ideas Iv had for my SA, Im nearing the limit of my 1kg weight with a evostar 72ed + DSLR + 50mm Finder attached, I am countering that a bit by mounting my little sony RX100 + ball mount on the counterweight end of the L bracket. Pics attached.

Regards
Chris

[LewisM]

How about a good stack of large washers from Bunnings? They add up in weight quickly (like the thick building ones).

Or for a REALLY quick job, at Bunnings or plumbing shop, get a roll of roofing/plumbing lead. Just roll it around the shaft for several layers. (wear gloves, wash hands).

[Wavytone]

Plastic bag, fill with lead shot, add either plaster, sand and cement or some glue. Mould around shaft and wait till it sets.

[04Stefan07]

Found a very nice 1kg door stop from Bunnings for $5.

Drilled a hole in the middle and done!

[xelasnave]

Cut a leg out of your jeans tie it off to make a sack and fill with appropriate amount of sand and hang off shaft.
Not ideal but I have used this to keep the game going.
Alex

[Kunama]

I used a piece of aluminium for a counterweight :eyepop:

I needed to add 550 grams to the top end of my new Dob after I decided against a visual finder.....

So here is my permanent counterweight , 278mm of 30mm solid bar of aluminium, painted to match the UTA struts and installed just as they are: