Counterweights

Robin Lee · Post by **Robin Lee** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 11:33 am

Do you think that the counterweights offered by the dealers are pricy? Does the workshop can do a great job in making a counterweight? I'm thinking not to get additional counterweight from Losmandy but look for one from the workshop. USD79 for a 21# counterweight sounds silly.

Post by **acc** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 11:38 am

I never understood the pricing for those counterweights...

Post by **Airconvent** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 12:13 pm

Kim Miau wrote:Do you think that the counterweights offered by the dealers are pricy? Does the workshop can do a great job in making a counterweight? I'm thinking not to get additional counterweight from Losmandy but look for one from the workshop. USD79 for a 21# counterweight sounds silly.

If you have the dimensions, you can get a metal workshop to fabricate one for you...

cataclysm · Post by **cataclysm** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 1:05 pm

Counterweights are just dead weights. Nothing fanciful about them, just machine them to your specifications, or a container filled with sands will do the job.

Post by **rcj** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 5:14 pm

ditto...go fabricate! cheaper! and you can "customize" the design, colour, metal type, etc...

Robin Lee · Post by **Robin Lee** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 5:25 pm

Remus, any detail? I am totally newbie to GEM. Haha..

Post by **rcj** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 5:29 pm

you need to find a metal machining workshop in your area. Knowing where it is, prepare a drawing that will illustrate the counterweight design, complete with dimensions and any other necessary specifications. Usually mine are made using cast iron, which is cheap, but since it will rust, it is best to anodize/paint the weight.

Robin Lee · Post by **Robin Lee** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 5:41 pm

Thanks for the info. I find that the locking mechanism is the most difficult part to design for the newbie like me. Do you have any idea?

Post by **perseid** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 12:47 am

Finding a block of metal for the counterweights is quite simple. You can find them at wholesale metal shop. However, it must be machined to fit into your counterweight bar. Different mounts have different diameter counterweight bar. So far, losmandy has the biggest diameter bar.

The locking mechanism is just an ordinary screw of M8 or larger. Some have nylon tip to prevent the weight from slipping down and scratching the bar. Other just have a metal rod that does the job (with minor scratching).

Are you looking of a counterweight to fit into a specific mount?

BTW, scrap metal are fetch quite high price now. A 21# scrap metal cost RM5-RM10 ringgit nowdays! If it is a good aluminum, it would costs over RM200!

Robin Lee · Post by **Robin Lee** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 7:05 pm

Yup, I'm looking for a G-11 counterweight. I will try the local metal shop first. My friend's father has a stainless steel metal shop but I think that's too... Haha

SingAstro

Counterweights

Counterweights

Re: Counterweights