Attach 1/4"thread to scope

[dannat (Daniel)]

Am going to build a300mm baby refractor imaging scope with pvc pipe and am wondering if anyone knows if a 1/4" plate can be secured to the pipe somehow so it'll git a tripod. THe tripod collar rings i've seen are a little small - pipe diameter about 85-90mm

[Dennis]

I managed to fit some 4mm aluminium bar to a 70mm PVC pipe using blind rivets – see here. Probably not rigid enough for your application though.

I’d make a couple of crescent shaped wooden cradles to cradle the pipe and then fit these to a plate, so the PVC pipe nestles in the cradles and the bottom of the cradles are screwed to the mounting plate.

Cheers

Dennis

[mswhin63 (Malcolm)]

I am also considering making a larger PVC version, it is only an idea but was considering placing a straight PVC or Ali ridge underneath attached to the PVC tube to do 2 things, 1 - stop any flex in PVC tube, 2 - provide a mounting bracket at the same time.

I was considering 5mm ali plate but could go thicker if needed.

I like the idea of PVC for my first scope DIY (save-a-da-money)

[Dennis]

If you can find some alu channel of the right dimensions, then you could seat the PVC pipe in the channel per the attached drawing and use blind rivets to fasten along the bottom, central point of contact.

Cheers

Dennis

[dannat (Daniel)]

THe pop-rivetting is a good idea i think -the tube won't be big & i will get some plate for stability & then drill & fix it i reckon
thanks dennis
daniel

[mswhin63 (Malcolm)]

Great idea Dennis, will help me too. Thanks for starting the post.