114 table top dobbie -awww, she's so cute!

[mental4astro]

Hi all,

Here's my latest creation - a 114X500 Tasco reflector on a table-top dobbie mount.

For some strange reason I just want to start stroking and patting it, :screwy: :lol: !

I've used Telfon on both bearings, waxed textured laminate on the azimuth and PVC plumbing flange on the altitude.

How does she perform? Amazingly well! First light was last night, and with a variety of 1.25" eyepieces, from tiny light weight things all the way to my great big 13mm Hyperion. You know what? She didn't sag or fall at all with any EP in place. The little bugger stayed put and has a really nice action too! No magnets, no shifting weights. Just good design. Aussie design - mine!

While the OTA is a modest 114X500, this little Tasco is 100% collimateable, unlike other table-top commercial dobs out there, ;).

She is one nice RFT!

[jjjnettie]

Very cute indeed. :)
Ive a 76mm reflector I've been wanting to turn into a dobbie. Did you design the base yourself?

[GeoffW1]

Hi,

That's very nice work Alex.

Cheers

[mental4astro]

Yep, all my own design. I think this is my seventh or eighth such mount. That's allowed me to workout a design to not need magnets or counterweights.

She's for sale too, :) .

[Nico13]

Yep definately cute.

My lovely wifey said "is it a real one":rofl:

She wants one, can I steal your design?:question:

[seeker372011]

Quality.

I have a 5 inch ota that is just begging to be turned into a dob...

[Forgey]

That is such a cute little dobbie Alex.

[Ed D]

Your mount has a nice flair to it, especially the side panels. What kind of finish work are you planning for it?

Ed D

[mental4astro]

Marine grade varnish - that's what's in the paint cupboard. I'll be able to go swimming with it and it'll still work just fine, :lol: . Finished sanding today, smooth as a baby's bottom. First coat of varnish tomorrow.

[mplanet62]

If you sell it - where and how?

[mental4astro]

When she's finished here in the IIS classifieds.

If you are interested you can send me a PM too.

[mental4astro]

Well, here she is with lashings of marine grade varnish.

There is something very beautiful about varnished wood. Very organic and sensual the way light alters off its surfaces as it is moved about.

I also gave her three little plastic capped feet. Also my customary "Saturn" motif, which is a little styalised image from the way Galileo saw the "lobed Saturn" through is crude telescopes. It's my little link and reverence to the origins of astronomical telescopes.

Quite a dainty little scope.

[Shark Bait]

That looks great. Are really going to sell it?

I would have trouble parting with it.

[ZeroID]

I want to do a "SteamPunk' scope. It just lends itself to the subject. Some of the older brass scopes I've seen in USA are just awesome pieces of work.
Might remod the blue Newt with copper and stuff now that SK II is up and running. Wooden Tripod I've got, .....more bits needed.

[mental4astro]

Yes, Stu, it's for sale, :(. I just have too many (8 at the moment, :rolleyes: :ashamed: :help2: :evil: ). So many scopes so few eyes.

Mind you, I still am in two minds on keeping it, :screwy: . It is just so lovely...

[Ed D]

I can understand your dilemma - to sell, or not to sell. It is a beauty!

Ed D

[Shark Bait]

Looks like it will find its way to a good home. Onya Suzy. :thumbsup:

[markuslebt]

cutiecutiecutiepie

does she need makeup and have large shopping bills ?

[mental4astro]

It may be dolled up, but not by me. This little dobbie has found a new home with a budding new astronomer. The young lady to whom it belongs has been bitten HARD by the Astro bug according to her dad. Thrilled everyone with the glimpses of the Moon & Saturn between the clouds over the weekend.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I hope this little DIY mount inspires to have a go at making your own. These are not difficult to make. I'll happy to help in what way I can with any questions you may have. I can even make one if you feel your tool kit isn't upto the job. This particular project has given me ideas on how to develop a "quick release" mechanism for the cradle other than the screws I currently use.

Mental.

[hikerbob]

Mental, you have created work for me with this.
I've had an old DSE newt in the shed which I've often thought of a dob mount for but never started.

Its a longer scope than yours so not quite as cute but I think I can make a handy base for it. Im starting with a set of rings for it, I'll try and get some pictures soon if they work as expected. Thanks for the inspiration.

Bob

[Suzy]

Sorry Stu, I missed this post :ashamed:
I nearly had it, but alas I had to let it go (airplane transport issues). :sadeyes:



I'm so glad our new budding little astronomer is getting so much joy with it. I was keen to get some news! :D
See, I was meant to let it go so it could bring oodles of happiness to her, best thing I've done all year :lol:.

[hikerbob]

Mental as mentioned this has got me inspired to do a dob mount for my little DSE newt. The cradle is mostly done although I still need to work out the latching mechanism and do some finishing as well as put some permanent bolts in the pivot points.

Unfortunately the parts for the rings are too long for the mill to cut out in one piece so I'm doing the latch end with jigsaw and file.

I've made a start on the sides but no pictures of that yet.

Bob

[mental4astro]

Lovely wood work there Bob.

I'm pleased you've been inspired. Always good to see a scope given a new lease on life. I also made such a mount for a school's scope that was unused because it was on an eq. mount. This was the reason for it being unused- it terrified the teachers. Now it's child's play to use. My wife was even able to use it!!! THAT is saying something for a person who rolls their eyes when I just look up at the Moon.

[hikerbob]

Just had the little 4" and its new mount out for a quick play.
Its not all finished yet but far enough along to try out.
Once I got the red dot finder lined up it was a breeze to find some of the old favorites. The Jewel Box and Eta Carina came up surprisingly well.

I wanted to get the rest of the coating on the ply so didn't stay out long.
I need to do some work on the two axis, the $6 lasy susan bearing spins a little too freely and the plumbing fittings running on timber were ok but may be a little inconsistent. Also want to add some feet and having a bit of a think about a small stand for it based on an old tripod.

Bob

[hikerbob]

My little Dob's ready for a break in the rain.
I may redo the rings at some stage, I was drilling out the pivot points to tidy that up and did some damage. I still need to do some work on the bearing surfaces but nothing urgent about that.
Ignoring the fresh tin of marine clear that I needed to get because the old one was just about done around $35 in parts (with some left over bit's including a fair bit of the ply) and I've breathed some life into a scope that had been sitting in the cupboard for years.

Thanks again Mental for the inspiration. Yours is cuter but I'm still pretty pleased with this one.

Bob

[mental4astro]

Just beautiful, Bob! And nothing more beautiful than a scope seeing active duty.

Those rings are brilliant - your own development on ATM hybridisation. I love them.

Mental.