Equatorial Platform

[TimHarbour (Tim)]

Hi everyone, new around here.
I'm looking into building my own EQ platform for our 10" bintel dob. My folks live in bortle 1 skies at Yarrowitch and really want to get the most from what this scope has to offer when I take it up there.
Has anyone here attempted their own build before?
I've been following Damien's YouTube stuff and am waiting for his follow up video with some more details.

https://youtu.be/QWkX159fwXg?si=KVyea7JmEgUVK4ti

[Rod]

Hi Tim

You might want to put this question in the DIY section.

I’ve built or help build a few equatorial platforms. I think they are a great project certainly much cheaper to build one than buy. There are a lot of designs out there. If you are a wood worker and have a table saw or can build a jig then I think Ed Jones’ design is excellent. See these videos:

https://youtu.be/YM9YCbeeGjI?si=x2Bh4x7NmEm35j_F

https://youtu.be/aIuF9bfbiW4?si=YItksaUkS6V0vrhb

If you have access to a 3D printer then there are some designs on Thingiverse. This one looks interesting:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6362263

Another popular approach here:

http://www.reinervogel.net/index_e.h.../3_MBox_e.html

Here is an old thread from here that includes some photos of one of my platforms:

https://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/...d.php?t=156184

Let us know what tools you have available to you and your level of skill and we can probably help you better decide what would suit you.

Rod.

[TimHarbour (Tim)]

Thanks for your reply Rod lots of good information in those links.
I have some basic wood working skills and equipment. I have access to most things through family and friends too if needed.
What I have found interesting is there are so many different designs out there. The sky is the limit so to speak.
Do you still use your platform?

[Rod]

Hi Tim

Yes there are a lot of ways to do it. So choose the one that suits your skills and the material you have available. I mainly use my platforms when I’m showing things to a group or using high magnification. I find that under really dark skies I’m working at low mag with 100 degree field eyepieces mostly so don’t need it as much if I’m on my own.

If you would like a few parts printed send me the stl files and I could do that and post them to you.

Rod.

[TimHarbour (Tim)]

Thanks for the offer. I’ll keep it in mind.
Tim