Tube Rings for a 150mm refractor

[IanT]

Hello

Can anyone suggest where I can find a set of tube rings suitable to wrap around one of the older blue Skywatcher 150 x 1200 achromatic refractors. I have the rings that came with the 'scope but they seem a little insubstantial to me especially when bolted onto a flat Losmandy universal dovetail plate. I have a very good mount, a very good tripod, a very good saddle plate and a very good dovetail plate. My worry is the narrow little attachment base on each ring. I guess I want something that would span the width of the plate which I think is about 100mm. The Skywatcher rings are just about a fingers width at the attachment points.
Thanks
Ian

[Hzadbhat (Brandon)]

If you go to almost any engineering shop they can make them, to your exact specs and strong. Seriously strong.
Call around and try to find a smaller firm as they may even be willing to do it for cash. Make sure they can roll on the premises though. Otherwise it will cost more and take lots longer.
A set of rings, custom made should be around $70 - $80.

[IanT]

Hi Brandon
Thanks for that. I'll get onto it.
ian

[MattT]

Ian, having the same scope other than getting rings made, or a DIY in wood I found that:
Myastro shop 140mm rings are a bit too small, fixable by replacing the finger bolts with longer bolts and nuts from a hardware shop, can post a pick if you want.
Agena Astro in the US sell GSO 142mm rings $30? that fit.... just, or if you want to spend a bit, Parallax 145mm rings from OPT in the US will fit but are $200 a set.
And now having re read your question, get em made or Parallax.
Matt

[IanT]

Thanks Matt. Good info. Loved your topic title!
Ian