Alternative parts for builds?

[StuTodd]

I have just seen a cheap idea for an EQ6 mounting plate for a pier...

It was a brake disc from a Saab 900 or 1993 Vauxhall Vectra (uk site) and the EQ6 head fitted in the axle hole perfectly. It would just need an azimuth pin putting in (plus holes for your bolts).

http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps15jau0wt.jpg

This got me thinking if any DIY obsy builders knew of any other wee hints and tips, work arounds, cheap and good alternatives to paying lots (apart from having a best mate who is a metal worker/welder)

Stu

[Sat5]

Get this instead http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Skywatche...8AAOSwWntXNCqK

[ZeroID (Brent)]

My mounting plate for the EQ6 is a 50mm thick laminate of 4 sheets of ply, glued, screwed and sealed. (I haven't got a mate with an engineering shop either.)
The top of my pier was cast inside an upside down 10 litre paint bucket which was a good fit on top of the 900 mm long 250 mm diameter concrete drain pipe I have tensioned down to an old 4m x 4m concrete slab in the back yard.
Most of my scope builds, alum struts, ply etc, have been rescued from the scrap bins at work.

Yep, right into the 'alternative parts' DIY program. Just call me McGyver ...

EDIT: Hmmm, must be the kiwi 'No 8 Wire' syndrome kicking in ..

[StuTodd]

Good stuff Brent.

That's the sort of stuff I like, and yeah, the kiwi "number 8 wire" thinking is kicking in for sure!
I know a chap who got one of those circular concrete water silos for free from a farmer clearing land. Just had to cut the top off and put a simple square roof on top.

Stu

[ZeroID (Brent)]

You'd like my current wee build then. 6" f5 pack down Newt Travel Scope. Ply is from some pallets I picked up, struts from some marketing poster stands and I'm building my own fold away Crayford focusser from Alum stock from the local big hardware store. Also the spider.

I've got a small lathe\mill combo but recently acquired a 255mm sliding drop saw with mitre. Just found out that the carbide tipped blade that came with it is rated for non ferrous metal cutting. Bloody brilliant for accurate 45* diag cuts in Aluminium !

The project scope should hopefully pack down into a 200 x 200 x 250 'cube' sort of. Except the struts of course. Won't take up too much room in the Outlander when we travel but enough aperture to be useful at dark sites. I took the 102mm f7 Lunt last time but that needs a substantial tripod as well.

I enjoy the technical side of astronomy as much as any other part of the hobby. Gives me a good excuse to shop at Mitre10, the mans toy shop.

[el_draco (Rom)]

Originally Posted by StuTodd

This got me thinking if any DIY obsy builders knew of any other wee hints and tips, work arounds, cheap and good alternatives to paying lots (apart from having a best mate who is a metal worker/welder)

Stu

Try looking at mega-anchors (http://www.mega-anchor.com.au/) for footings, about $50 each including pins. 5 minutes with a jack hammer and then you start flooring. Each one will take 3tonne to displace. I use them a lot! and currently building a 4m ROR using them. No issues

I reckon someone ought to try a surefoot (http://www.surefootfootings.com.au/) instead of a concrete block. Would save a bucket of time I reckon. May do it myself on another project.