Counterweight

[mick pinner]

Bird asked me to make him up a counterweight for his new set-up so l thought l would post a few pics.

[asimov]

Very nice Mick! Stainless, or mild steel yet to be painted?

[RB]

Superb Mick.

[mick pinner]

mild steel to be painted, l did look at stainless but l would of had to mortgage the house.

[Striker]

Add that to my list.

Very nice mick.

How much weight is that....looks huge

So you do anything that a bird tells you...lol

[asimov]

Yep. Stainless is not cheap.

[mick pinner]

it's 9kg Tony 150mm x 68mm, only if he's a polite bird.

[Starkler]

Have you had time for the other project yet Mick? :whistle:

[mick pinner]

in the works as l post Geoff, l would expect the middle of next week.

[robin]

Hey Mick, let me know as soon as you have the 3d cw we spoke about at Snake Valley

[bird]

Looks great Mick, it will make a nice looking addition to the new scope.

Does it have to be painted? I like the unpainted appearance, it goes with my shiny aluminium tube - but if it has to be painted for protection or something then that's ok.

regards, Bird

[Starkler]

Lacquer maybe? :)

[Exfso]

A lovely piece of work mick, if I ever need another for my Losmandy, I will give you a call. They want an arm and a leg for extra weights.

[gbeal]

Sweet Mick.
I have done the same for a previous G-11, and also the current Tak mount.
Mild steel, in a few differring sizes/weights.
I used a clear spray on laquere, and also have tried a "Stainless Steel" look finish. Both work well.
Got a source for the knobs?
Gary

[mick pinner]

l'm using an Allen headed grub screw with an aluminium tip so it will not mark the stainless shaft.

[gbeal]

Just asking cos' I have a supply of knobs in M5 & M6 sizes, if you can't find any over your way. Need a picture or two?
Gary

[mick pinner]

l'm actually using M12 Gary but thanks for the offer, the larger diameter bolt gives more flexability for inserting softer materials to lock against the stainless shaft, l,ve had inquiries for about 6 counterweights already, obviously shipping is a killer price wise.

[gbeal]

No worries, and if you need some slightly smaller give us a call.
I have used threaded rod, with a hole turned in the centre, and a "plug" of nylon or similar inserted. Like the Losmandy ones you buy.

[mick pinner]

thank you Gary, l've coated the counterweight with a new polyurethane clear specifically designed for clean steel without the need for an acid etch primer and l think gives a nice alternative to the painted type.

[bird]

Looks superb Mick.

Bird

[gbeal]

Yep, looks good. A commercial product release Mick?

[mick pinner]

l'll probably do 3 weights 2kg- 5kg and a 9kg for the Losmandy mounts and also do a range for the EQ6 etc as well as custom sizes as needed, l'm also working on one that fits at the rear directly behind the mirror of the Meade SCT's so you can centre balance them and then in some instances do away with the need for the conventional sliding system.

[mick pinner]

finished counterweight with locking bolt.

[davidpretorius]

that is one sexy looking beast!!!

[Striker]

I have ordered 2.....they look great Mick.

500% better then the losmandy weights.

[bird]

Fantastic Mick, can't wait to get my grubby hands on it...

Thanks again,

Bird

[Vermin]

Do you still have these spare Gary?

I need 4 pcs of M5 threadded knobs with an outer diameter less than 30mm (Google turned up this old thread!).