making/inventing a Tripod for an EQ6

[pmrid]

I have an EQ6 that I'm very happy with BUT it's on a pier and I don't have a tripod for it. And I'm going to need one in the near future because I'm moving house and won't have access to an obs - so it'll be tripods for me.

I was wondering whether anyone knew of any options to the standard EQ6 tripod. They're few and far between as a For Sale item so I reckon I'll have to build my own or adapt one from another manufacturer.

I do have an HEQ5 tripod. Perhaps that could be modified. Anyone been down a similar path?

Peter

[Wavytone]

I’d suggest you post a “wanted” ad and see if something pops up. I sold two tripods a while back including the original one from my AZEQ6, and I know others have Berlebach tripods so there must be a few standard ones going unused.

Also try Bintel - I suspect you can order the standard stainless steel tripod.

Or you could buy a Berlebach Planet ... much better IMHO.

I made a tripod once in the 1970's using hardwood, following an old 1950s ATM design for a tripod with crutch legs, fixed length. Quite like this one https://www.cloudynights.com/uploads/monthly_01_2011/post-30292-1407329533557.jpg

It worked but only because I had a concrete pad to put it on ... out “in the field” the lack of adjustments in the legs made it almost useless. It is possible if you’re good at carpentry and have all the tools ...but unlikely to be anywhere near as elegant.

So... there are two big challenges for a DIY affair.

The first is the top plate where the legs all meet and the mount goes on top - wood really won’t really be good enough because there are very high localised forces where the legs attach, similarly under the mount, and the slightest movement translates as a wobbly mount. On the one I made, I ended up with a very heavy piece fashioned from thick steel plate ... did the job but boy was it heavy. A better solution is to buy the Planet top-plate from Berlebach to match your mount (they do sell them separately) and also I think they sell the leg clamps and the pointy tips for the feet, if you want to do the rest yourself.

The second challenge is some way to make fine adjustments to level the tripod head in uneven ground. If the length of the legs is fixed the alternative are screwed feet, which might be ok on level ground, but problematic on any sort of a slope.

[Ukastronomer]

Unless I am missing something can you not just buy the legs, I did £120

[Wavytone]

Buying one is too easy Jeremy, when you can make a fairly good one with hand tools and happen to have the tools and materials at hand, as I did long ago.

But I’ve since sworn I’d stop making stuff.

[Ukastronomer]

I somewhat agree as you will see I have made mounts for my focussers on my triplet and Ed scopes and enjoy making things but, personally I prefer bought, home made always looks to me like, well............. home made

I think it is the final "look" that puts me off home made a lot of the time.

[LewisM]

All the following need an adaptor plate you purchase from the maker when you buy the tripod:
Berlebach Planet - https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p1215_Berlebach-tripod-PLANET-long-Version---120-kg---fully-configurable.html
Baader tripod (https://www.baader-planetarium.com/en/baader-t-pod-aluminium-tripod.html - modification of the T-Pod below)
T-Pod tripod (http://www.avalon-instruments.com/products/t-pod-tripod)
Oberwerk (https://oberwerk.com/product/custom-built-wood-tripod-from-oberwerk-usa/)
Geoptik (https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p6660_Geoptik-Tripod-HERCULES---700-to-850mm---MaxLoad-120kg.html)

Skywatcher originals:
Skywatcher - moveable pier (https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p4191_Skywatcher-Pier-for-EQ6--EQ6-R--AZ-EQ6-or-Celestron-CGEM-Mounts.html)
Skywatcher EQ6 original (https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p7066_Skywatcher-Stainless-Steel-Tripod-for-EQ6--AZ-EQ6-and-CGEM-mounts.html)

Plus, many adaptors being made to convert any tripod to any EQ head (I have an EQ6 to Vixen GP adaptor for instance). Myastroshop might have spare EQ6 tripods in stock (he does list the HEQ5 one)

[pmrid]

Thanks for the useful hints and suggestions.

Peter

[Ukastronomer]

Thanks for a good question