Interested in a DIY eq platform?

Wanna make a scope? Or better still, grind a mirror yourself. Or, you have some good tips in making a really useful accessory? This is the place to show what your hands can do...
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acc
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Interested in a DIY eq platform?

Post by acc »

I am wondering if there is any existing and potential dob owners who are interested in coming together to build their own eq platforms? I am thinking of having one made for my portaball for hands-free tracking. We can search for plans on the internet, and get a carpenter to churn out the parts. Anyone interested?
We do it in the dark...
Portaball 12.5"
Takahashi Mewlon 210
William Optics 110ED
...and all night long!
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Tachyon
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Post by Tachyon »

Please keep me in the loop!
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rlow
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Post by rlow »

I and someone else have already ordered ours. Expected to be ready to ship out to us on 1st May 07.
Richard Low
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acc
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Post by acc »

Heh Richard who are you ordering the platform from?
We do it in the dark...
Portaball 12.5"
Takahashi Mewlon 210
William Optics 110ED
...and all night long!
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Airconvent
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Post by Airconvent »

Hi CC,
I suggest you check out the Aug 2006 issue of S&T.
There is an article on a young guy Jerry Oltion who used a 10" mirror and built essentially his own portaball complete with everything. Then he added a tracking function to it. He called his scope the Tracking Mount..he describes how he did it and has pictures too. It may be what you are looking for.
I can't post it here for copyright reasons but if you can't find it in the library I can lend you my extracted copy...
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acc
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Favourite scope: Mag1 Instruments 12.5" Portaball

Post by acc »

Thanks Richard1 :) I am just toying with the idea lor... This platform thing is a on-again, off-again affair for me.

Heh Andrew, just wondering why you would need an eq platform? You have an obby coming? :)
We do it in the dark...
Portaball 12.5"
Takahashi Mewlon 210
William Optics 110ED
...and all night long!
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rlow
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Post by rlow »

Heh Richard who are you ordering the platform from?
Brian Reed's Round Table Platform.
Richard Low
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acc
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Post by acc »

Heh Andrew, I have decided to abandon the DIY route and order one from Round Table instead... :) Lazy...

cheers
cc
We do it in the dark...
Portaball 12.5"
Takahashi Mewlon 210
William Optics 110ED
...and all night long!
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Airconvent
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Post by Airconvent »

acc wrote:Heh Andrew, I have decided to abandon the DIY route and order one from Round Table instead... :) Lazy...

cheers
cc
wow..when you finally get yours, then it will be the end of your constant "opps . its moved out of the FOV...let me adjust!"
But how does it work? The one I recommended from S&T has roller bearings on the portaball shell but this seems to be a flat item rotating in azimuth only... :roll:
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mrngbss
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Post by mrngbss »

Is this what you are looking for?

http://www.equatorialplatforms.com/
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