Handle for OTA?

[DaveO]

Hi all

While browsing the forums yesterday, I found this (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=18941)thread about a fellow having problems with the OTA slipping in the rings. Once of the respondants included a link to an article on "Wilson Rotating Rings" on Andy's Shot Glass site (http://www.andysshotglass.com/wilcox_rotating_rings.html).

In that article it recommends using a cross piece at the top of the rings to stabilise them and to act as a handle.

Does anybody have any idea where one would get such a device to sit a Skywatcher 10" scope???

[Tamtarn]

Hi David

Perhaps you could make something like this, serves as a handle and also a good camera mount for wide field shots. If needed you could put a spacer under the two screws to lift the handle higher.

Scope is a Skywatcher 8" newt.

25434

David

[DaveO]

Good idea. What did you use? Is it a dove tail bar?

[wjcoll]

Hi Dave,

I recently made some mods to my 8" Newtonian, one of which was to add a handle between the OTA rings. This made removing the OTA a much safer exercise.

I bought a 200mm long handle from a machinery control supplier. Their web site is at http://www.dana-ridge.com.au

Once installed, it looked like it was made for it.

Hope this helps.

Wayne

[DaveO]

Wayne

That sounds great. Had a look at their site - there are lots of products there. Do you recall the product number you ordered?

[wjcoll]

Dave,

I'm pretty certain the handle I bought was the M.443/200-SH.

There's about three that look almost identical so if it isn't this one the people at Dana-Ridge should be able to tell you which they have in stock.

I noticed you're here in Brisbane. D-R is located at Eagle Farm and the staff there are really helpful and don't mind small one-off orders.

Regards,
Wayne

[Astroman]

I used a piece of 40mm x 10mm flat bar aluminium on mine, also acts as a "dovetail" bar for the 80mm scope too. I can include pics if you want.

[DaveO]

Thanks Wayne. I'll follow that up.

[DaveO]

Andrew, any photos you can provide would be most educational! And a real help. I am not an ATMer, nor really very handy, but I struggle through.

[OneOfOne]

I bought a couple of drawer handles from the local hardware store and screwed them onto the tube rings, makes it much easier to handle and cost about $5.