dob base for a 10" newtonian

[troypiggo (Troy)]

I have recently acquired a 10" Black Diamond OTA. It's got rings and a dovetail on it for mounting on an equatorial mount. That's fine for imaging.

But never having owned a dob before, I've been thinking that if I'm imaging using another scope like my ED80, I'd like to be able to set this up for visual while the camera is doing its thing.

Any suggestions on how to go about this? Is it even possible to use the OTA on both EQ and dob bases with minimal modification so it can swap easily between the 2?

[dannat (Daniel)]

here is a pic to make the Alt bearing using your tube rings

if you google sanfrancisco sidewalk astronomers they have a good how to on their site also

here is the link - its a document link though..http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=...t1OIJx1zV-vpYw

[mental4astro (Alexander)]

Hi Troy,

I've just made a dob mount for an 8" f/4 OTA that allows for the OTA to be transfered to an eq. mount:

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=56400

Did they same for a 4.5" OTA too:

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=49203

I'm writing up an article on this for IIS. You can ask me Q's if you like, no worries.

Other than the Teflon and maybe the textured laminate for the azimuth bearing, you can get all the materials from you local large hardware store. 15mm CD plywood is quite OK for this. Used it on the 8". Smooth as.

[troypiggo (Troy)]

That looks fantastic. I'm a little concerned that the base is beyond my DIY skills and tools. I've been thinking if I could pick up a used base, I'd just need to sort out a bracket or something on the OTA itself.

[bmitchell82 (Brendan)]

if you can make the interface between the ota and base you have more than enough skills to produce the base.

tools required

-Drill and some drill pieces
-Jigsaw
-Pen
-Ruler
-T square.

mark the lines and keep on them. easy as