I'm working on an eyepiece box to fit my dob, similar to the one that Eric (erick) has on his SDM 12" dob, see the attached piccy. Lovely scope!
I have the box just about fitted out, and I have the stanchions(?) ready to go, now I need to find a source for the clamps/knobs to secure everything, six thereof.
Searching the net I'm getting some very expensive pricing!
Anybody know of a source for these at a reasonable price?
Preferably that I could by online?
what diameter bolts? Personally I would be scouting junk shops for things like adjustment knobs off old office chairs. Alternatively, buy the bolts from Bunnings and glue in the plastic heads.
I reckon I've probably got something floating around at home that would do the trick - I always grab those sort of things when I see them or unscrew them off things I'm throwing away.
Thread size not really critical, as long as the size is the same for all six knobs.
I'm thinking the knobs would be minimum 50mm diameter, with a 50mm bolt.
Or...
The knobs could be threaded, i.e. 'female', to screw on to bolts fixed in the eyepiece box and the scope.
Hope I'm explaining my ideas OK?
I suspect Bunnings might have them, but $15 on fuel just to find out is a bit rich!
Hence I'm doing some research before I hit the road!
For a female thread in the box, what about the screw-in "nut inserts" used on the bottom of timber office furniture that the castors screw into???
You could fit these neatly into the timber sides of the box. You drill a hole thru the timber & the "nut" is pressed / hammered into the timber from the INSIDE of the box. So it would be under your lining.
From the outside all you see is a neat hole the size of the bolt you are using.
I'm sure they'd be a std size thread & easy enough to find bolts for.
For a female thread in the box, what about the screw-in "nut inserts" used on the bottom of timber office furniture that the castors screw into???
You could fit these neatly into the timber sides of the box. You drill a hole thru the timber & the "nut" is pressed / hammered into the timber from the INSIDE of the box. So it would be under your lining.
From the outside all you see is a neat hole the size of the bolt you are using.
I'm sure they'd be a std size thread & easy enough to find bolts for.
They're the ones I was thinking of Bryan, for the 'male' knobs.
Just trying to find the knobs at a reasonable price.
Bunnings here has them, but for some reason they think they are "feet" (for table legs etc) yes i tried to explain , the box doesnt even say feet but , hey, the bunnings dude knows hardware.....
Bunnings has a knob they call a tri-wheel. They come in , 1/4, 5/16 and 3/8 inch thread size. The 5/16 inch is probably the size you want. They have them male and female. The male knobs have a fairly short threaded section. I usually epoxy in a piece of allthread into a female knob.
The other place to try is a store that sells and repairs motor mowers. They usually have knobs like these but the Bunnings ones are cheaper (about $3 or $4 each from memory).
I had a look at home and could only find some table feet which weren't very elegant but i did wonder if maybe a threaded bolt fitted to some wooden cabinet knobs might nit do the trick. Cheap and you could stain and varnish to match the box...?
I had a look at home and could only find some table feet which weren't very elegant but i did wonder if maybe a threaded bolt fitted to some wooden cabinet knobs might nit do the trick. Cheap and you could stain and varnish to match the box...?
Thanks Nico,
My wife decided a trip to Spotlight in Bendigo was needed, so I managed to get to Bunnings today!
I managed to get three of the threaded knobs, to which I can Loctite some 5/16" threaded rod. I also managed to get some "T" nuts that will be fixed into the timber.
Total cost will work out at about $4 per fitting.
Sadly Bunnings only had three knobs, so I contacted the distributor, who has hinted I might get some free samples to complete my project! Time will tell!
If that supplier happens to give you a few free samples of the Craftright safe case which I have been anxiously waiting on Bunnings to get more of, can I have one ! :-)
