Balance shaft adapter, EQ6/HEQ5 mounts

[Astrofriend]

For my light weight system I needed some smaller balance weights. But not so easy to find low weight weights. I took my training weights, I don't use them anyway. But one problem, the hole is 26 mm and the shaft of the mount is 19 mm. I designed an adapter that let me use these training weights on the 19 balance shaft.

There is a STL file to download if you have need of this adapter. But the 3D-printed threads are not easy to get to fit each other. A calibrated 3D-printer make it easier.

Here is my 3D-print project:

http://www.astrofriend.eu/3d-printing/balance-shaft-adapter/01-balance-shaft-adapter.html

If you test print it, let me know if it works.

Lars

[Leo.G]

I had an engineer friend turn a couple of decent things up out of aluminium for me, he did it for the price of the materials (actually he did it free but I insisted I at least pay him for the aluminium). It's also quite easy to calculate weight if you know the grade of the aluminum from total area (or an online calculator most likely).

I also had him turn a 1 inch wide groove in the rollers and in conjunction with hardened steel pins they allow me to do 90 degree bends in 25 x 25 x 3mm square hollow section steel with a home made jig in my 12 tonne press (bending jig was the primary use but they double as mount weights too).
Another light weight weight I use on the front of my RC8 I made by cutting the iron crankshaft balancer weight off an old, dead Briggs and Stratton ride on mower engine (12HP) bolted to a Vixen clamp to slide over my dovetail. I ground and weighed the unit as I went to get the weight I desired and I can slide it along the Vixen dovetail as required.


https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ebayimg.com%2Fim ages%2Fg%2Fz~8AAOSwyaBhEt5Y%2Fs-l500.jpg&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=874656c3df3cd5bd742060fb0337c36 331368f1a811672e70ed153708d66d2ce&ipo=images

[Astrofriend]

Hi Leo,
It's strange how expensive steel weights are nowadays, it's just a block of steel. You have find other ways to solve this problem. Thank you for sharing ideas.

Lars

[Leo.G]

I always look for cheap dumbbell weights, with a simple collar they slide straight on the balance shafts. I also have an assortment of plate steel up to my huge round 1.5" thick plate I removed from a neighbours yard for an old lady who was moving. I haven't figured what I'll use it for but I'm always welding some piece of junk up and have scrap to cover most of the things I need other than a complete build of anything larger. I have some nice thick plates here I picked up for free. The plate from myneighbours is 18 inches diameter and 1.5 inches thick. It may become the base for a pier for a friend if I can get to welding it up one day.
Thick plate is also handy to have so I can run some practice welds to get my eyes and hand in (practice). I have qualifications but no longer do enough to simply pick up a welder (arc, MIG and TIG) and do good welds first up. I can grind the welds and reuse the plate for other jobs if required.

[Astrofriend]

Thanks the old lady for the plate of steel !

[Leo.G]

I did and she was extremely grateful I removed it for her, she couldn't move it, I could barely pick it up and carry it myself.