Telescope box

[ThunderChild (Chris)]

Hey all,

I've been thinking about the best way to transport my dob (without forking out huge $$$). I've been thinking about using those inexpensive aluminium boxes in sale at Bunnings (etc) - and then also saw at least one article in this forum which uses that suggestion. I did that on a small scale for my EP's.
The size of the box needed to fit in tube however, seems rather large. To achieve a snug fit, a fair amount of foam would probably be needed too (which isn't all that cheap IMHO). You could always just line the inside of the box of course, but I'd prefer something that will not move around.

BUT
Before I go ahead with that, I had an idea which might not only be cheaper, but *may* also be a little better suited (for me at least). I am only speculating until I take a closer look at the materials required, but I was wondering if the idea had any merit to explore further.

What about the idea of taking a piece of thick PVC piping (such as plumbers use for high pressure water or sewerage), cutting it in half lengthwise and placing hinges on one side and latches on the other.
You then fill it with foam and cut out just enough space to fit the tube in.
Actually, I would make the cut-out ever so slightly smaller than the space needed for the tube, making a very snug fit indeed.
Would need to close off both ends - but plumbers often need to do that too when they use the stuff, so I imagine that there's caps out there for that purpose.

This would take up the bare minimum of space, which is important for me when I transport things due to a small car. But I imagine it to be fairly
robust too.

I'll take a look next time I'm down in the hardware shops (which I tend to go to frequently enough). Anyone have any thoughts on this? Or care to hear what I discover?

Cheers,
Chris

[rmcpb (Rob)]

Easy option is to use the back seat and seatbelts. This gives a padded and secure mode of transport. However, if you transport the scope in the back of a station wagon or ute then maybe just a simple cradle out of ply with the curve of the OTA routed out of each end. This could be fixed to the floor of the car and the OTA secured by some ocy straps. If the scope has its end caps on and shower caps as well then it is effectively sealed for transport.

Is there any need to go more complex?

Cheers

[Merlin66 (Ken)]

I agree with Rob; An old doona and safety straps!!

[ving (David)]

if you still have the box the OTA came in use that... I have been using myn for... well since i got the scope

[ThunderChild (Chris)]

Originally Posted by ving

if you still have the box the OTA came in use that... I have been using myn for... well since i got the scope

Yeah I have been too - and maybe I'm just being too paranoid with my new baby.

The other night I drove to a dark park and had to walk a little way with all my junk - pretty hard carrying that old box, plus the base, plus all my bits and pieces, so something smaller with a handle for the tube would be good.
Also, I sat there watching the due fall on the cardboard box wondering how much longer it can take such treatment.

[wavelandscott (Scott)]

A couple of other options...

Some folks have put a handle on their OTA...that seems to work well...

There is a new product called "scope totes" and they work as a kind of "wrap around handles"...

You can get a padded scope bag (Orion sells them)...that is what I have for my 8 inch Dob...

You can make you own carrier or bag of some sort...

[janoskiss (Steve H)]

Child's noname sleeping bag from kmart or similar? Cap the ends (showercap on the mirror side). These OTAs are pretty tough, that should be plenty.

[shredder]

Hi Guys,

I cant see you getting a PVC pipe big enough to go around a dob? Maybe I misread what you plan? What size is it? I think if you have say an 8" dob you therefor need say a 10" tube which will be hard to source and as a speciality item probably not cheap anyway.

I am actually the one who used the Bunnings Galvanised Toolbox, and while it works well for holding the scope it does have some shortcommings (Note to anyone else trying this). The Galvanised Box really heats up in the sun, 10 minutes at the astro camp in the sun and it was very nearly untouchable, even melted the rubber corners I had so nicely placed on it to avoid getting scratched (which I promptly did). But that is diverging, if you use a circular tube to hold it you still have the problem of it rolling around, I think for a cheap solution for a dob a cradle is not a bad option as suggested above. Or maybe create an aluminium frame and then using a sling hand it from the frame (bit like a box kite with the OTA hung in the middle).

Cheers

Michael

[seeker372011 (Narayan)]

I have been searching for a PVC tubing large enough for a very long time without success..you have to get lucky to get short length offcuts of the right diameter-unless you are willing to buy far more than you would need in ters of legth

at the diameters we are talking of its got to be specialist plumbing stores, Bunnings wont have anything large enough

[Astroman (Andrew Wall)]

A place called Vinidex sells large apature PVC pipes, but I think they sell it in large lengths only.

[ThunderChild (Chris)]

Originally Posted by seeker372011

I have been searching for a PVC tubing large enough for a very long time without success..

Hey Seeker. I thought having a 6" would have made it possible - but perhaps I was being a little optimistic. I still like the idea and will keep my eyes open (but I'm happy to just keep using the cardboard box for a while).