ATM - 'scope mounting bracket

[Dennis]

Hello

Can anyone recommend a source for metal bar so I can fabricate the (orange) mounting bracket shown in the attached image of a Celestron C9.25?

The bar has an "H" cross section with the two sides of the "H" tapered wide at the bottom to narrow at the top and it fits my Vixen GPDX mount.

I guess one solution is to get some flat bar, dovetail the edges, drill and tap some fixing holes on the dovetailed edges and then bolt on some flat bar to make the uprights?

Thanks in advance

Dennis

[Vermin]

Capral aluminium may have a similar extrusion, might be worthwhile obtaining a catalogue. Not sure of their contact details try Aus Google or the Yellow pages.

We get custom extrusions made where I work, I'll check who does it today. You may be able to get an offcut from someone else's suitable die. Otherwise you have to order a $20k job lot.

[Dennis]

Thanks Vermin,

We have a local Capral so I'll drop by on Friday arvo with a sample from my Vixen refractor mounting saddle and check out their extrusions.

Cheers

Dennis

[acropolite]

Lots of dovetail rails at http://www.highpointscientific.com/store and search for dovetail.

[Dennis]

Hi Phil

Thanks for the http link - this looks like just what I am after. I'm yet again astounded at just how incredibly responsive the forum is in providing solutions to member’s questions - just fantastic!

Cheers

Dennis

[gbeal]

And if that all falls to pieces, try my way.
I get flat alloy stock, 12mm x 100mm and have a 60 degree cutter mill the dovetail shape to emulate the Losmandy rails. Each costs about $50 instead of the nearly triple that. OK so they are an ugly alloy colour, but I could get the anodised.
Gary

[ballaratdragons]

Dennis,

If no-one carries the exact extrusion you are after, take your mounting plate with you and they can probably match the dovetail profile with a different extrusion.

If that fails get one milled as Gary suggests. Milled stock would be stronger anyway.

[Dennis]

Thanks Gary & Ken

I've just about recovered from the shock horror of calculating the US shipping price -US$65 shipping & insurance via UPS on an US$18.95 part - no thank you!

I'll stick with local suppliers.

Cheers

Dennis

[ballaratdragons]

<b>Our pleasure!</b>

You ain't seen nothing yet. Ask a hard question and the real experts come out of the woodwork. I would still be back in the days of Galileo style scopes if it wasn't for the help I get in here.

[Dennis]

Hi

Some good news! I found a great site at http://www.scopestuff.com/ which sold the mounting bracket for a reasonable US$24.00 with shipping at "only" US$18.00. I e-mailed the contact address and received a friendly reply from the owner(?) Jim Henson so placed my order on line. I'll keep you posted on how I go.

If you want accessories, this is a great site to explore.

Cheers

Dennis

[iceman]

Jim Henson? Do you get a muppet with the order? :D

Congrats on finding what you're after.. it's such a shame about shipping prices from US to AU.. the cost of shipping the EQ platform is more than a good UO Ortho :(

[acropolite]

I have heard very good reports of Scopestuff service and prompt shipping. Their prices are low and they have a huge range of accessories.:D

[gbeal]

Dennis,
I posted about Jim on one of the other forum threads. I have had very good service from him, so no doubt you will too.
Make sure (regardless of who you buy from) that it comes USPS (I use USPS air), and NOT UPS. The price difference is significant, as you have found.
Gary

[Dennis]

Hi Guys

Update: I ordered two dovetail mounting brackets from Scopestuff (USA) at http://www.scopestuff.com/ and received a prompt e-mail reply from Jim Henson, so I placed an order via their website. The Scopestuff team then e-mailed me on 28 May 2005 saying my order had shipped. I received the goods, well packaged and intact on 3 June 2005.

As a bonus, it seems I was not charged anything for shipping - wow! All in all, a wonderful customer experience and based on this, I can wholeheartedly recommend Jim and his team at Scopestuff, who have an extensive product range at very competitive prices.

Cheers

Dennis