Scope Mods and a Scope Trolley

barx1963 (Malcolm) · #1 18-07-2009, 10:14 PM

Well I've had the 12" dob for three weeks now and have started to make a few mods. Firstly I added a handle to the side to make moving it a bit more comfortable. I have added three bits of felt, just used those little floorsaver things that you can attach to the bottom of furniture legs, and attched these between the 2 parts of the az axis. These GSO mounts bearings have very little friction and need slowing down a bit.
I have added a laser finder that I purchased on a recent trip to Qld. Lastly I found as soon as I went to transport the scope by car the dustcap just wouldn't stay on, do I have used a couple of bits of velcro and webbing from an old back pack to rig up a system to keep it in place.
I have also made up a trolley to assist with transporting the OTA. Got the basic idea from Mikes article where he uses a trolley to transport the OTA and base as one unit. Found with te size of the base for the 12" that wasn't practicle, so I made up a little wooden jig that the OTA sits on, with more felt floorsavers to prevent stratches. I bolted the jig to the base of the trolley, and used double sided tape to attach the polystyrene bit that held the scope in the packing box. The end result is as per the photos. Works really well and as I have a couple of steps to negotiate when I move my scope from living room to backyard, I feel much safer with this rig.

mswhin63 (Malcolm) · #2 19-07-2009, 08:52 PM

Hi Malcolm,

Nice setup, weird though I have a versy similar design except the lower part but I have exactly the same trolley.

barx1963 (Malcolm) · #3 20-07-2009, 11:31 AM

And even weirder, we're both called Malcolm!

Twilight zone stuff this

lacad01 (Adam) · #4 20-07-2009, 03:05 PM

And if you guys should ever meet it would rip a hole through the space time continuum and destroy the universe

seanliddelow (Sean) · #5 21-07-2009, 06:00 PM

Do bunnings sell trolleys like these?

barx1963 (Malcolm) · #6 21-07-2009, 06:38 PM

Bought mine at Mitre 10, they were on special for $39 I think. Bunnings almost certainly have them.

TJD (Trevor) · #7 21-07-2009, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seanliddelow

Do bunnings sell trolleys like these?

i built mine trolley and got it all from bunnins i think it came to $40
it can carrey my two scopes fully set up with tripod (its a 1.5 meter by 80cm plank of chipboard on wheels)

seanliddelow (Sean) · #8 21-07-2009, 08:26 PM

Thanks for the info guys. I cant handle all of the 40kg by myself!

mswhin63 (Malcolm) · #9 21-07-2009, 08:48 PM

I bought mine from a locally owned and run Hardware store in Kwinana $38.

Twilight Zone.

mswhin63 (Malcolm) · #10 21-07-2009, 08:51 PM

I haven't completed my trolley but i use a 12" coll, but I have set it up to transport the DOB Base as well. Mostly for back yard and to move it to the car for transport.

dalemadison · #11 22-07-2009, 09:56 AM

I've got a SW 10 inch Collapsible Dob and use a folding trolley I got at Bunnings for around $45. Works well and folds down flat when not in use. I also got a metal magazine holder from Officeworks and screwed it to the front plate of the base to hold notes and atlases. Another great accessory is the bendable red light from the project list. It's a lot better than a headlamp.

Lumen Miner (Mitchell) · #12 26-07-2009, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seanliddelow

Do bunnings sell trolleys like these?

Yup, yup, yup, we do!

gpb (Chris) · #13 30-01-2011, 02:19 PM

Excellent stuff Malcolm, your modifications to the trolley and to the scope are smart with a very clean finish. I think I will replicate the trolley mod

I may even message you just in case I get stuck.

Can you tell me if you are happy with your GSO? How does it perform looking at the moon? Which nebulas stand out the most? I get excited looking at nebulas.

barx1963 (Malcolm) · #14 30-01-2011, 09:41 PM

Yes Chris I am very happy with the GSO 12". Just so you are aware the Bintel version is simply a rebadge of the same scope. I am not really a lunar observer, only look very rarely if nothing better to do!

My prime interest is galaxies and planetary nebs, but this scope really excels at the bright nebs. I have seen colour in M42 and can get a lot of detail in Eta Car neb and NGC 2070 (Tarantula). Overall IMHO it is a great all round scope.
The great thing about these is that at the moemnt they are realtively cheap. A few years ago a 12" scope would set back around $1500, now they can be picked up for $850 to $950. When I started looking at scopes, an 8" dob would be as much as anyone would recommend for a beginner, now these 12" one are in the mix, provided the purchaser can handle the size.