well my wheels didn't arrive so l could not go any further but thought l would do a few progress pics, should be finished wednesday.
1. Basic frame with tripod.
2. Leg cups with wind down stabilizer.
3. At full extension.
hey mick.. great start! thought it'd be a more propeller shaped thing.. ohh.. like the mercedes benz logo.. that way a round dob base would be balanced evenly on it(yes.. all i think about is dobs! forget u EQ & goto fork owners )... Just thinking about the base in it's present form a dob base would only be balanced across the cross axis.. if that's make sense.. i'm not too technical so i'm trying to explain myself but don't know the words to use... also.. might be betterto have the stabalizer bolt on the outside of the tripod leg..
just some thoughts.. but it's getting there mick! you'll have to find out where to get those kangaroo aussie made stickers
A General point??? How many 'FEET' does your/anyone's DOB t'scope have??? Mine has 3. The original small rubber ones were removed,(useless), when I made the 'adjustable' ones for levelling the t'scope for the DSC's. I made them from 10 mm nuts, welded on the end of a 3" length of 20 mm steel pipe, which the 10 mm x 3" bolts screw into. The other end of the pipe has a plate welded on, for screwing to the base & a large washer is welded to the bolt head to widen it's ground profile. The feet are set 120 degrees apart, as per original, & would sit perfectly on Mick's unit. Pity I don't need one......... Keep up the good 'Australian Production Line', Mick. L.
I get your point, to a point. Laurie explained one way around it. But also the trolley needs to fit into a car easily and if it had a round base it is just as big or bigger than a dob base and fitting a dob base in a car can be a trick in itself without more big round things being added!
Yes I agree though, it would be nice to just wack the Dob on it and move it around!
bd.. i think initially mike mention that the leg thigs would be adjustable.. i pictured it as sort of an extendable thing.. like a car radio antenna.. but.. so that would mean it could be small enough to be portable and also adjust size for difference scopes.
Hey el, are we supposed to call you 'el' as you sign the end of each post, or 'Lex' as in your signature? I been wondering that for about a month or more!
el, Lex, Did you have a close look at the design? It's fully adjustable to almost any size. Will take any DOB easily. Mick started with the basic 'T' frame, & put 2 adj/extensions in 2 of the 'legs'. As he states, the wheels didn't arrive, but you can get the general idea from the pics. When finished for the night, simply push the 'extended legs' back in. It looks like a good, low profile buggy to me. Should work well. L.
BD.. el, lex, idiot(when the mrs says it) are all names i answer to
u'r right laurie... just wan't clear on the pictures.. but i see it now.. but you think the T shape would be better than a Y shape for holding the round base of a dob?
Lex, It really doesn't matter what shape the base is. It works just fine. You simply rotate the DOB around to fit it on the frame/legs. The weight/centre of gravity, is still nearly over the centre of the framework where it should be.... Try it with a sheet of paper & straws set at 120 degrees apart...... L.
well the Scope Cart is finished at last
1. cart with EQ6 and tripod
2. adjuster for levelling of scope
3. fully steerable front wheel with simple steering bar (unthreads for easy removal)
Wheels are 8" pneumatic with bearing centres, all 3 points extend to take up to a Meade giant field tripod, a non extendable version is being made to take dobs although dobs can be carried on this one by turning the slide rings upside down and inserting rubber mounts, the two rear axles extend as well as the bar attaching the front wheel, as well as this there are sliding rings that give you unlimited positons for any size tripod, the extension bars are held firmly in place by 3/8" locking bolts.
The main frame also breaks down into 5 pieces with the longest piece being less than 2ft in length making it easy to transport.
Last edited by mick pinner; 02-08-2005 at 07:22 PM.
)... Just thinking about the base in it's present form a dob base would only be balanced across the cross axis.. if that's make sense.. i'm not too technical so i'm trying to explain myself but don't know the words to use... also.. might be betterto have the stabalizer bolt on the outside of the tripod leg.. 
