Tube Rings for GS12" Dobbie *FINISHED!!!!!!!!!!*

[xelasnave]

I am happy to see all the weight you are going to ask that mount to manage. I just thought of something you can put a gas tank in there rather than the scope to get things sortted with suitable weight... it would look strange but how convenient.
I have build one large mount (fork configuration) out of an old bed frame and wheel bearings and I should know not to try again really but as you know a mount to carry our little darlings capable of astrophotos is not cheap...I want to carry the 12 inch and 2 six inch scopes so a commercial mount would be over $20,000 I expect.
I will try and post the plans at some stage but in terms of real work its a pile of steel and bearings at the moment
alex

[Harpspitfire]

great job!-i have a nephew that works in a machine shop and sometimes makes me accessories i need- i like the heavy duty quality of home made stuff

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Alex,

Most of the good home-made stuff begins as a pile of bits and pieces and junk. It's up to us to turn it into Astro Art.

You will usually find that the majority of home-made items are made with overkill in mind, so if you make a home made mount to carry a 12", it will probably carry a 14 - 16".

I think Darren (wombat) was looking at making a home made fork mount for his 12" as well.

If you want some very solid heavy duty axis bearing use car hubs. If they can carry the weight of a car they can carry a telescope!!!

Mine has Holden hubs and bearings on both axis and they glide so smooooothly.

I look forward to seeing your plans and watch it develop.

Originally Posted by harspidfire or however you spell it

- i like the heavy duty quality of home made stuff

Also gives a sense of pride - and it's cheaper too!

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

HOORAY!

Here is the finished product.

I couldn't take a pic of it all set up on the mount coz it's raining.

The rubber lining inside the rings is from Clark Rubber. I tried several densities at the shop until I found the right one.

I am very happy with the finished product and it ended up cheaper than I expected.


THE COST:

LPG Bottle rings - $55
Base Cradle & all welding - $40
Etch Primer & Black Paint - $20
Hinge (1 cut in half) - $4
Lock bolts & wingnuts - $2
Rubber - $22
2 Dovetail lock screws - 50c

TOTAL - $143.50

[ving (David)]

now show us her mounted

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by ving

now show us her mounted

VING

[ving (David)]

come on houghy, back outta the gutter with you!!!

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

I'm waiting for the rain to stop. I wanna see it on the EQ mount too!!!!

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Correction,

I wanna USE it on the EQ mount!!!

[Astroman (Andrew Wall)]

Looks great Ken, well done. We are an inventive lot arnt we

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

We sure are Astrew!

For those that want to make their own set-up like this, here is a close-up of the ring locks.

I used 1/2" bolts with the heads cut off, positioned in the brackets I made using the car exhaust clamp cut in halves, then drilled with a 5mm drill and pinned with 5mm Split-Pins. It is plenty strong enough!

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by ving

come on houghy, back outta the gutter with you!!!

no not me, its already nounted, just needs to be placed on the mount

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Drum Roll Please ................................... .........



Presenting the finished Product, complete and assembled and scope inserted!!!

Finally the rain stopped long enough for me to test out the new tube rings.
I had to add lot's of counterweight.

Pic 1: The rings on top of the Mount
Pic 2: Scope mounted in rings

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

and one more pic: Harry Modelling with the finished set-up

[avandonk]

Ok Ken why is the dob mount on the same axis as the EQ mount? All the the jokes aside, looks very fantastic and shmickkk.

Bert

[xelasnave]

That looks great. I presume we can expect some astro photos sooon?
You young fellas sure can get things done.
alex

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Originally Posted by avandonk

Ok Ken why is the dob mount on the same axis as the EQ mount? All the the jokes aside, looks very fantastic and shmickkk.

Bert

Thanks Bert.

Answer to your question: Symmetry

Hope you are happy with the finished product
Bit different to what it used to look like. Thanks for giving me the opportunity of restoring such a fine mount.

Originally Posted by xelasnave

That looks great. I presume we can expect some astro photos sooon?
You young fellas sure can get things done.
alex

As soon as the sky permits me to, Alex.

Young fella? Cool, haven't been called that in a long loooong time.

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by ballaratdragons

Drum Roll Please ................................... .........



Presenting the finished Product, complete and assembled and scope inserted!!!

Finally the rain stopped long enough for me to test out the new tube rings.
I had to add lot's of counterweight.

Pic 1: The rings on top of the Mount
Pic 2: Scope mounted in rings