Best tripod wood

[LewisM]

Preferrably an Australian wood species - I was thinking perhaps Tasmanian Oak is OK, or Jarrah (though heavy, not a concern).

I want to make a non-adjustable tripod for a Vixen/Celestron GP mount (since the Chinese tripod fitted to it is a shake-o-matic), and love wood, though don't want to spend the $900 for another Berlebach, so I will make one from suiably sized - or laminated to size - hardwood. Pine is most assuredly NOT in contention, so it will be Tassie oak or Jarrah, or whatever Bunnings has decent in stock.

Appreciate any advice. I will be basically following the Takahashi leg format, creating my own brackets out of flat stock aluminium and using some feet from an old surveyors tripod I picked up for $5 (2 legs are stoofed, feet are perfect)

[Kunama]

Tas Oak will be more readily available in the size you need, easier to work with as well.
Being up there in Queensland Sunshine Coast, there is a place that sell various Australian Native species, why not get some Quarter sawn Grevillea Robusta (Silky Oak) they can also machine it down to size for you.
From memory the place in Page St or Kerryl St at Kunda Pk

[Satchmo]

Hi Matt - I am currently making some tripod legs for my Skywatcher Az4 mount using 90 X 35 dressed Maple. The legs will be non- adjustable , I think maple is pretty rigid for its light weight - hardwood is just too heavy for me. I will post here when its finished and let IIS know the results .

[Glenhuon (Bill)]

As someone who has made a lot of things in WA Jarrah, everything from a Banjo to a Wand for a witch (not kidding), I would recommend Jarrah, but if you can obtain some real old wood, say 20-50yo, grab it and have it machined to size. Great material, doesn't warp.

[Kunama]

Originally Posted by Glenhuon

As someone who has made a lot of things in WA Jarrah, everything from a Banjo to a Wand for a witch (not kidding), I would recommend Jarrah, but if you can obtain some real old wood, say 20-50yo, grab it and have it machined to size. Great material, doesn't warp.

Just remember to pre drill and tap threads into any holes before trying to get screws into it.

[Kunama]

Originally Posted by Satchmo

Hi Matt - I am currently making some tripod legs for my Skywatcher Az4 mount using 90 X 35 dressed Maple. The legs will be non- adjustable , I think maple is pretty rigid for its light weight - hardwood is just too heavy for me. I will post here when its finished and let IIS know the results .

Hi Mark,
No problem with using maple, just need to seal the timber well as it tends to take up moisture faster than Ash or Jarrah.

Look forward to pics. I am going to get some timber for my project this week.

[LewisM]

Found Tassie Oak in good lengths and dressed -very straight - for $54 for 6 metres. Kwila stair rails, though laminated for same price but a little thicker. I liked the oak better - some nice dark straight grained stuff

[bugeater (Marty)]

Out of interest, how thick would you make the legs on something like this? I'm thinking it's something I could try too and I know a supplier of not too expensive Jarrah

[Kunama]

Originally Posted by bugeater

Out of interest, how thick would you make the legs on something like this? I'm thinking it's something I could try too and I know a supplier of not too expensive Jarrah

I am going with 100x50 rough sawn as a starting point, probably end up as 95x40 at the top, tapering in both width and thickness. really depends on what you're putting on top of it.

[Glenhuon (Bill)]

Originally Posted by Kunama

Just remember to pre drill and tap threads into any holes before trying to get screws into it.

The trick is you predrill, rub the screw threads in a bar of soap, screw in real easy

[jenchris (Jennifer)]

Cedar.
Rigid, hard,pretty, vermin proof, very strong and is weatherproof.
It will last for 100 years.

[AndrewJ]

I reckon trying Yew ( if you could get it ) would be interesting.
If cut similar to the old english longbows, it is naturally laminated so may damp quickly, and incredibly strong.

Andrew

[LewisM]

My preference is birch, but you just cannot get it here.

Bought the Tassie Oak today - see how it goes. VERY pretty piece I got as well.