Dob Wedge and Cart

[h0ughy (David)]

Now remember Mick to make is completely Authentic put together flat pack kit it has to be in chinese, with bolts missing and new components added but not in the diagram!!!

You have done a fantastic job with that buggy!

An addition to add might be one of those inclinometers to attain the correct latitude angle?

[davidpretorius]

i like that

assuming the pivot point on my dob is close to the centre of gravity, this point is 560mm above the base.

if i put it on a 50degree angle, this centre of gravity moves aprox :

sin (50 degrees) = distance moved divide 560mm

therefore distance for centre of gravity moving = 428mm

you had better check my maths

[cahullian]

Nice one Mick I bet the Dob owners are hanging for the finished product. I know I am.

[Orion]

Nice work Mick. Does one of the three wheels have a locking device on it to stop it from moving if it's accidentally bumped?

[mick pinner]

when the cart is set up for viewing it has 3 wind down adjusters to stabilize and level itself.

[asimov (John)]

Nice job Mick, Looks really good. Well done.

[mick pinner]

thank you Asimov, greatly appreciated.

[Orion]

PM'ed you Mick.

[netwolf]

Great Work Mike.. looks very sturdy.. a bit like the Trycycle i had when i was a toadler.

Will there be a handle to pull it along at star party's.. I can imagine going in circles around all the small refractors goin ha ha mine is bigger.

[mick pinner]

yes there is a handle, forgot to put it in the pic, it screws into a thread on the front wheel.

[iceman (Mike)]

It looks really great Mick, but at that angle, what stops the scope from falling off?

[netwolf]

Iceman, counterweights.. Like a big battery seated on the back axle.
Mike maybe you can have a small area to locate a battery or counterweight.

[davidpretorius]

we have discussed this afternoon on the phone, a 20mm rod say 150mm long that is bearing driven and ready for motorizing will be investigated tonight as part of the wedge option.

there will be a 300m plate with a bearing for rotating when in the flat and also when at the angle another bearing to allow to rotate freely

hopefully mick will have some pics soon of this.

also my height above the base for centre of gravity is 560mm, so even at 50 degrees, that does not go outside the area of the wheels.

[davidpretorius]

should be no need for counterweights!

[mick pinner]

Mike, there are a number of ways to secure the scope by either having brackets to hold the bottom plate of the dob or if motorized a central pivot rod. The balance of the scope is not an issue as the centre of gravity even above 50 degrees sits well inside the triangle created by the wheels, this coupled with the length and weight of the front wheel carrier will ensure the scope does not tip.

[netwolf]

Hi Mick,

Can you provide any idea's on cost for building one of these? Material Cost, labour cost etc.

[netwolf]

Mick,

Are there any updates on this project??

Regards

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Mick, I hope you can bring your Dob buggy/wedge to the Snake Valley Star Camp. You are welcome to sell them at the Camp!

[mick pinner]

davidpretorius will be bringing one of each for people to have a look at, l will probably only make it for one day and night unfortunately, l'm flat out making sure l have them finished in time, there is still a bit of testing to be done yet to make sure all areas have been covered, l'm also having to follow some other projects such as mounting plates and weight systems as well as finishing of some jobs from work that l was commited to before l deceided to take on the telescope accessories buisness, by the way l thought about your buisness name idea but came up with astroshield telescope accessories, web site has started www.astroshield.com.au

[netwolf]

Excellent news Mick, finaly some more Aussie made astronomy gear..