Design of telescope trolley for astrophotography

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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orly_andico
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Re: Design of telescope trolley for astrophotography

Post by orly_andico »

Interesting.. where did the pier pipe come from? can these be bought in small-ish quantities?

I'm thinking of making a portable pier..
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shirox
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Re: Design of telescope trolley for astrophotography

Post by shirox »

you may wanna add 4 screw legs that can lock the height and take the weight instead of the wheels. This may damper the vibrations and movements in the event if your mount is alligned to the north.
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ChaosKnight
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Re: Design of telescope trolley for astrophotography

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Project closed
Last edited by ChaosKnight on Wed Nov 19, 2014 7:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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orly_andico
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Re: Design of telescope trolley for astrophotography

Post by orly_andico »

Hm. There is a large aluminum shop at Block 803 King George Avenue.

I used to buy aluminum tubing there, but the lengths were inconvenient (20 foot).

What is the minimum length of the 4" diameter tubing?

Also you have that thick aluminum plate on the top. I am not sure that can be purchased in such a small size / quantity..
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orly_andico
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Re: Design of telescope trolley for astrophotography

Post by orly_andico »

also the frame... looks like it is aluminum U-channel? or angle bar stock?

these are just bolted together? or some MIG/TIG welding?

Also... 4" tubing might be a little too small for any significant load. I read somewhere that deflection is inversely (exponentially) proportional to the diameter of the tube.

so an 8" tube even made of very thin-wall material, would be substantially more rigid than a 4" (about 16X more rigid I think).
ChaosKnight
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Re: Design of telescope trolley for astrophotography

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Project closed
Last edited by ChaosKnight on Wed Nov 19, 2014 7:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.
ChaosKnight
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Re: Design of telescope trolley for astrophotography

Post by ChaosKnight »

Project closed
Last edited by ChaosKnight on Wed Nov 19, 2014 7:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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orly_andico
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Re: Design of telescope trolley for astrophotography

Post by orly_andico »

Thanks for the additional info.

My payload is.. substantially greater. Up to 15kg of mount, 15kg of counterweight, and 12-15kg of scope, camera, etc. That would be the maximum load.
ChaosKnight
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Re: Design of telescope trolley for astrophotography

Post by ChaosKnight »

Project closed
Last edited by ChaosKnight on Wed Nov 19, 2014 7:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.
ChaosKnight
Posts: 293
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Re: Design of telescope trolley for astrophotography

Post by ChaosKnight »

Project closed
Last edited by ChaosKnight on Wed Nov 19, 2014 7:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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