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Post by kevinbarker on Jan 19, 2014 21:53:26 GMT -5
I have yet to figure out how to reply to messages on this forum so please excuse the last post which had three shots of my scope project. The tube is a hexagon made from 6 mm marine ply cut using a table saw and drop saw. It has 8 15 mm marine ply rings and numerous ribs to hold it all together. Two 15 mm pieces are to mount the massive 180 mm f-8 lens and one for the GSO focuser. Also there are wooden inserts so the dove and a carrying handle can be attached firmly. There are also 5 baffles which are spaced at 0.2 m, 0.4 m, 0.6 m, 0.8m and 1.0 m from the end of the tube. The baffles are cut out with a jig saw and using a router I created reasonably knife edged baffles. lastly i painted the interior. I used a commercial epoxy resin to glue it together. Initially 4 sides, then interior painting, the last two sides were taped up and then pre painted. i used an oil based primer tinted black and two coats of acrylic matt black paint. It is pretty strong and i hope reasonably square. I will sand tube, add dovetail, focuser and lens and then collimate. First making sure the fuser is aligned with the centre of the objective and then collimating the lens so the system is aligned. I made a jury rig to measure focal length. It is bang on 1440 mm from the lenses centre. I am going to paint the tube. I have half a litre of good oil based paint which is firemans red so it might end up red. Kevin Barker
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Post by ukjohn on Apr 7, 2014 20:24:21 GMT -5
Quick update:
I'm trying a new approach to mounting my 6" F/12 - an EQ6 mount head on a Meade Giant Field Tripod. The mount and tripod have needed a custom adapter to mate together but thats completed now so I'll get the whole thing set up soon and post some photos. The drives on the mount plus the use of a Hyperion zoom eyepiece should minimise the need to touch the scope and, hopefully, reduce the long tube vibrations. We will see .....
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Post by astromanuk on Apr 8, 2014 7:01:24 GMT -5
Hi John,
These Giant Field Tripods are massive aren't they? They are so stable that even when standing on the top plate and moving around there is no appreciable movement. Mine is going to be fitted with an APM az-max mount when the appropriate hardware arrives to couple the two. I am sure you will find that with the excellent EQ6 on top your telescope will damp in no time at all - that is, if you can get it to vibrate in the first place.
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Post by ukjohn on Apr 9, 2014 19:20:04 GMT -5
Well here is my Istar Perseus AT150-12 on it's EQ6 mount atop the Meade Giant Field Tripod. The whole lot weighs in at around 150 lbs. NOT a "grab and go" outfit !!! Attachments:
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Post by boomboom on Apr 11, 2014 17:47:06 GMT -5
Now that looks perfect. A massive tripod indeed! I'd be interested in your thoughts on the EQ6 and the f12. Mine works fine on the NEQ6 and the supplied tripod and a bit less wobbles with my ATM wooden tripod. All the damping issues have gone with an electric focuser, but it is an extra control box to hold and have a spot on the mount for. Also I use a 14" Losmandy dovetail and see you have a Vixen with the rings close together...I always thought tat the further apart the rings within reason the less stress on the motor. That's just my feeling but have not done any comparison. I might try a Vixen and 8" dovetail. Matt
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Post by ukjohn on Apr 13, 2014 19:12:29 GMT -5
Interesting thoughts Matt. I may well end up with a Losmandy mounting bar / clamp approach in due course but I thought I'd try the Istar dovetail bar first as it's such a well made item.
I hope the EQ6 motors are up to the job !
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