Anymore mods?

[Darkplague]

For anybody interested,
Here are some pictures of my most recent mods to my 12" Dob.

The first one is the set of "bobs knobs", I made from a s/s bolt head, drilled out, then welded onto the original bolt. I can now turn the collimation screws with comfort by hand.

The second is of my flocking job . I used velvet from spotlight and stuck on with contact cement. I also painted the mirror cell flat black and the top rim. The secondary wasnt spared either. I used black texta and filled in the ground part of the mirror.

So when everything was assembled and collimated, I took a quick look outside with it, but couldnt tell any difference to be honest because as luck would have it, the moon today is at its peak of brightness. So I'll have to be patient and wait for the moon to fade :bashcomp:

Now I have some felt left over to make a dew shield with but still havnt thought of what material to use and where to get it from??? Any ideas for a 12"?

Clear Skies!!!!

[elusiver]

alot of people use and have alot of success with bedding roll foam.. the cheap stuff u find at any camping store. I've tried it.. but I'm not 100% happy with it and the way it holds onto the scope and holds it's shape.. so I'm gonna when i get some time try out some other materials. As to more mods.. i take it u've super slidered and milk bottled u'r washers? it doesn't look like u'r replaced the standard strap things that are on the alt springs with keyrings? u can make up setting circles? install carry handles? there's tones of mods.. have u checked out the ice mods? http://www.iceinspace.com.au/index.php?projects

then.. after all that.. electronic focuser and a dsc box.. :)

el :)

[ballaratdragons]

I turned my spring attachments upside down! Works better!!!!

Wasn't your OTA painted black on the inside when you got it?

[Darkplague]

Have I got my springs different to yours? Can you explain.

My scope was more of a light reflective grey, very poor really. Now its coal black!!

[elusiver]

ohh u can also baffle around the fan.. to get all the air flowing over the mirror. there's another one :)

el :)

[ballaratdragons]

As far as the springs go, the factory method is to have the springs attached to the scope. Once the OTA is on the base you pull the springs down and hook them onto the base bolts.

The little tabs eventually wear out from being pulled and . . . SNAP! Busted & Bleeding knuckles!! Not good!

I turned it all upside down by attaching the springs to the base and I lift the tab by resting my thumb on the large black altitude bearing. No busted knuckles and the springs live on the base and don't swing around on the OTA when being carried.

[ballaratdragons]

Actually somewhere in this site I have drawings of how to do it!

I'll go see if I can find them.

EDIT: Found a pic of it here. http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1181

Still looking for the drawing.

Found it! Here: http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1187

This is the accompanying write up with the pic:

All you need are 2 more of the bolts used at the bottom and chuck the big ones. Put the new ones in the top.

Make sure the plastic spacers step down as they come out. Place a washer on the outer end on the bottom spacer so the spring won't fall off. I placed a diagram in here somewhere a long time ago but now I can't find it so I have done another one:

EDIT: If you are one of those people in the habit of only using one spring you will not have to purchase any new bolts. Just use the bottom one from the side you dont use.

Hope that helps!!