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Date: 02 Aug 2006 14:03:31
From: Willie R. Meghar
Subject: Simple Solutions for Common Problems
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Many who have been involved in amateur astronomy have, over time, come
up with relatively simple, homemade solutions for common problems.
This thread provides an opportunity to share your solutions with
others.
I'll start with very simple one:
Some tripods don't come with shelves. For others a shelf is an option
for which one is charged an additional fee. I own tripods that fit
into each of the above categories. In the latter category the added
fee was in my opinion too much to justify, especially when I felt I
could easily build a better (larger) shelf myself.
My solution: I set up the tripod, made measurements to determine how
large of a circular shelf could be fitted and placed on the tripod's
bracing, and cut out a disk of appropriate diameter from 1/2 inch
plywood. A pair of holes were drilled near the outer edge of the
plywood disk above each of the three tripod leg braces. I used pieces
of leather cut from a leather shoestring to attach the shelf to the
tripod (utilizing the drilled holes). On one of my shelves I added a
central machine screw that fits through a central hole in the center
of the tripod's bracing. A couple of washers and a wing nut are added
from the bottom side of the shelf. The final step was painting the
shelves.
Circular shelves can be made with a larger surface area than the
triangular shelves that are available with many tripods. I have no
need for a raised border (can get in the way of large objects), nor
for holes drilled for eyepieces (a smaller object could fall through a
larger hole). I prefer a solid, flat shelf that can be used for
anything from a temporary support for counterweights, finders, and
diagonals through longer term support for eyepieces, flashlights,
clipboards, binoculars, etc.
So what kinds of simple solutions have others found for common
problems?
Willie R. Meghar
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Date: 02 Aug 2006 15:41:54
From: Merp
Subject: Re: Simple Solutions for Common Problems
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Added a couple of pneumatic wheels to the dob base of my 12.5"
reflector. Now I can tilt the scope and base back onto the wheels to
easily move it around.
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Date: 02 Aug 2006 17:21:16
From: John Steinberg
Subject: Re: Simple Solutions for Common Problems
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Willie R. Meghar wrote:
> Many who have been involved in amateur astronomy have, over time, come
> up with relatively simple, homemade solutions for common problems.
> This thread provides an opportunity to share your solutions with
> others.
Powered scopes can be subject to the "Oops, I inadvertently pulled the
plug again" syndrome.
My little solution for this issue, first demonstrated on a NexStar 5,
was to use a BORB (big old rubber band) to secure the line in cord to
the fork arm and leave some slack to allow for routine scope movements.
Properly installed this fix won't save you from Mr. Magoo tripping over
your setup, but it does address less egregious line pulls.
(This is likely one of those things better seen than described, at
least by me, but there you have it.)
Incidentally, for those of you unsure where to get your BORBs, check
the broccoli or bok choy section of your local produce aisle.
--
-John Steinberg
email: not@thistime.invalid
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Date: 02 Aug 2006 13:54:34
From:
Subject: Re: Simple Solutions for Common Problems
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Willie R. Meghar wrote:
> Many who have been involved in amateur astronomy have, over time, come
> up with relatively simple, homemade solutions for common problems.
> This thread provides an opportunity to share your solutions with
> others.
>
> So what kinds of simple solutions have others found for common
> problems?
>
> Willie R. Meghar
I have the Celstar C8 which uses a Wedgepod. Very inconvenient to polar
align so I modified it with some easy to perform operations. I included
an accessory tray also. You can see it here:
http://hometown.aol.com/nlpjp2/index2.htm
Regards,
Jerry Pool
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Date: 02 Aug 2006 20:47:40
From: SkySea
Subject: Re: Simple Solutions for Common Problems
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Painting black surfaces WHITE, so I can see 'em without having to use
a flashlight. Step ladder, boxes, shelving (eyepieces & stuff
silhouette nicely against white).
>Willie R. Meghar wrote:
>Many who have been involved in amateur astronomy have, over time, come
>up with relatively simple, homemade solutions for common problems.
>This thread provides an opportunity to share your solutions with
>others.
>
...
>
>So what kinds of simple solutions have others found for common
>problems?
>
>Willie R. Meghar
=============
- Dale Gombert (SkySea at aol.com)
122.38W, 47.58N, W. Seattle, WA
http://flavorj.com/~skysea
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Date: 02 Aug 2006 23:29:29
From: canopus56
Subject: Re: Simple Solutions for Common Problems
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Willie R. Meghar wrote:
> This thread provides an opportunity to share your solutions with
> others.
A Roscolux No. 120 gel sheet. Converts any white light source
(flashlights, computer screens, headlamps, car headlights) to
astro-friendly redlight. Next to bungie cords and heavy rubber bands,
one of the best jack knife type astronomy products. Available at local
theatrical supply stores for $6-$9. - Canopus56
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Date: 03 Aug 2006 08:03:27
From: Marty
Subject: Re: Simple Solutions for Common Problems
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Tying stuff up with romex, that is, the electrical cable used in house
wiring. My old locked angle Celestron tripod came with a BORB to keep
it folded up, but this wore out many years ago. I ran through a number
of less than perfect things to tie it up until I hit on the electrical
cable... it holds it's shape, it isn't springy, and it has a padded
covering.
Marty
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Date: 04 Aug 2006 02:47:14
From: jc
Subject: Re: Simple Solutions for Common Problems
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Willie R. Meghar wrote:
> So what kinds of simple solutions have others found for common
> problems?
>
> Willie R. Meghar
A light fold out lever to add torque to a Dob when it's 'in the hole'.
jc
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Date: 04 Aug 2006 02:47:04
From: jc
Subject: Re: Simple Solutions for Common Problems
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Willie R. Meghar wrote:
> So what kinds of simple solutions have others found for common
> problems?
>
> Willie R. Meghar
A light fold out lever to add torque to a Dob when it's 'in the hole'.
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