Victor Kennedy
Pooh-Bear
Reged: 05/22/03
Posts: 12190
Loc: Slovenia
|
|
How do you balance your CAT? I have my C8 mounted on a GP-DX with a set of tube rings, but since I hang a 2" diagonal, and often a big 2" eyepiece, off the back, it‘s difficult to get it balanced properly. I‘m considering buying a rail and dovetail:
http://www.scopestuff.com/ss_mpc8.htm
and a set of tube counterweights:
http://www.scopestuff.com/ss_baln1.htm
Will this do the trick?
--------------------
No matter how hard you push the envelope, it's still stationary.
|
mistyridge
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/28/05
Posts: 2896
Loc: Loomis, CA
|
|
That is what I use on all my scopes. Both my SCTs OTAs came from Celeston with rails attached. I bought one for my refractor so all my scopes could swap mounts and balance simply by sliding up or down the dovetaile saddle on the mount.
--------------------
Mike F
Misty Ridge Observatory
Skyshed POD
Many scopes 70mm to 12.5", SCTs, refractors, and newts and a lot of other astro stuff.
|
NeoDinian
Experienced Postmaster
Reged: 10/05/05
Posts: 14043
Loc: Rockford Illinois
|
|
The top link will not be needed if you get the stuff on the bottom link. That is of course if you don't need a LOT of weight. I think that top link (Top picture in link)is a better option if you need a lot of weight. The thinner bar without the thick aluminum plate below it may flex if alone.
--------------------
Neo... (Jeff)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
10" LX200-GPS/SMT UHTC "Draco"
 Rockford, Il.
NeoDinian's Eye on the Sky!
Coming soon:
|
Snaproll
Postmaster
Reged: 02/20/04
Posts: 5095
Loc: Green Bay
|
|
You can build your own weight system for a fraction of the cost of buying.
The scope needs to be balanced vertically then horizontally. If you add "off-axis" weight like a guidescope, then you need a dual-axis system. We just had a big discussion thread about this, "How much weight can I hang off an 8" LX200?" Do a search on that. There are photos of weight systems.
I was surprized at how easy and cheap it was to build a workable dual axis weight setup from hardware store suppiles and garage tools. If you want more info, feel free to send me a PM on it.
--------------------
Jim W Astro images
Edited by Snaproll (12/15/05 12:44 PM)
|
NeoDinian
Experienced Postmaster
Reged: 10/05/05
Posts: 14043
Loc: Rockford Illinois
|
|
I've been eyeing the closeup pics on Scopestuff, and plan on making a trip to Ace hardware to get supplies... 
Seems simple, but finding something useable for Weights (Other than stacks of washers) may be difficult. Of course if I go with Washers, I would do Brass since it is heaver than the Steel washers. (Looks nicer also)
--------------------
Neo... (Jeff)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
10" LX200-GPS/SMT UHTC "Draco"
Rockford, Il.
NeoDinian's Eye on the Sky!
Coming soon:
|
Mike B
Starstruck
Reged: 04/06/05
Posts: 8169
Loc: shake, rattle, & roll, CA
|
|
Hi Victor-
I use what i believe is the "pancake" weight & dovetail rail- the weight can be not only slid along the rail, but can be threaded up/down the bolt to achieve some degree of 2D balance. ScopeStuff is significantly less costly than the Losmandy gear, and is really a great outfit to do business with!
I've done my share of Ace Hardware homebrew gear remedies... the question one must ask is how much tinkering do they care to pursue for personal satisfaction (varies significantly by user  ), how much weight is involved, & how securely said weight must be afixed to one's scope to prevent any subsequent fixation to eyepiece cases or things anatomical.  My personal threshold in these matters steered me toward Scopestuff, and i've ne'r been dissapointed!
 mike b
--------------------
"I have been paddling in the shallows of a great ocean of knowledge." - Sir Isaac Newton
* * 15" F4.55 Starsplitter Dob & a Denk II binoviewer * *
http://peaceofsky.wordpress.com/
 Pacheco State Park
 Fremont Peak
|
NeoDinian
Experienced Postmaster
Reged: 10/05/05
Posts: 14043
Loc: Rockford Illinois
|
|
Found this for making your own "Track"
http://www.8020.net/T-Slot-4.asp
The model "1515" is supposedly very strong, and is used by Model rocketeers for Launch-pads...
I was looking at "1534-lite" or even "1050" for a T-Slot bar for the scope... A Standard 1/4-20 Hex-bolt will fit in the slot with no problems. Just add a wing-nut and washer to lock in place, and seperate wingnuts with the weights between them.
--------------------
Neo... (Jeff)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
10" LX200-GPS/SMT UHTC "Draco"
Rockford, Il.
NeoDinian's Eye on the Sky!
Coming soon:
|
Scott in NC
Mad Hatter
Reged: 03/05/05
Posts: 6950
Loc: NC
|
|
Quote:
I've been eyeing the closeup pics on Scopestuff, and plan on making a trip to Ace hardware to get supplies...
Neo, did you decide to go ahead with your homemade SCT counterweight system? If so, I'd love to hear details, as I'm considering the same thing.
Also, if anyone else has any strong opinions regarding the Meade vs. Losmandy vs. Scopestuff counterweight systems, I'd value your opinions. Just looking at the pictures online, I can't see much difference (other than that the Meade version costs almost twice the Scopestuff version). I would be using this on an LX90 with a 2" diagonal and some rather heavy 2" EPs.
--------------------
Clear skies,
Scott
my scopes: a few refractors (50-102mm), 2 Newts (4.5-12"), and an 8" SCT
|
Victor Kennedy
Pooh-Bear
Reged: 05/22/03
Posts: 12190
Loc: Slovenia
|
|
I'll be able to tell you about the Scopestuff balancing rig in a couple of days, as soon as I can get it out of Customs.
--------------------
No matter how hard you push the envelope, it's still stationary.
|
NeoDinian
Experienced Postmaster
Reged: 10/05/05
Posts: 14043
Loc: Rockford Illinois
|
|
Quote:
Neo, did you decide to go ahead with your homemade SCT counterweight system? If so, I'd love to hear details, as I'm considering the same thing.
Not yet.. Read the post I made just above yours. (about 8020.net)... I have a dealer for them about 20 miles away, but havn't gone there yet... I want to make something a bit stronger (see below)
Quote:
Also, if anyone else has any strong opinions regarding the Meade vs. Losmandy vs. Scopestuff counterweight systems, I'd value your opinions. Just looking at the pictures online, I can't see much difference (other than that the Meade version costs almost twice the Scopestuff version). I would be using this on an LX90 with a 2" diagonal and some rather heavy 2" EPs.
The meade system is an Inverted 'T' (The bar itself is the T, with the slot in the weights)... Scopesuff is (in my opinion) too lightweight (no pun intended). The bar seems too thin and could flex too much. This is why I was looking into 8020.net...
Another option I found was if you can find a woodworking suppy shop (that sells the tools) there is a "T-Track" or "Slide" they sell that fits standard 3/8 hex-head bolts in the track. The extruded aluminum is beefier than the scopestuff bar, and a great option since you can use standard bolts of various lengths to attach the weights.
The 8020 bars will also accomidate standard bolts as well, and is MUCH beefier than either. (Model rocket builders use this material for Launch pad guides!) So this is the route I would like to take. Just have to get there to buy a piece...
--------------------
Neo... (Jeff)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
10" LX200-GPS/SMT UHTC "Draco"
Rockford, Il.
NeoDinian's Eye on the Sky!
Coming soon:
|
Scott in NC
Mad Hatter
Reged: 03/05/05
Posts: 6950
Loc: NC
|
|
Neo, thanks for your reply (sorry, but somehow I missed your last post, right above mine  ). When you say you feel the Scopestuff system is "too lightweight," is this just an assumption you've made from looking at the pictures, or have you actually seen one in person? Please don't take my question the wrong way--I'm just asking because I don't know anyone personally who has any of these counterweight systems, so unfortunately I have no way of examining one in person before buying one.
--------------------
Clear skies,
Scott
my scopes: a few refractors (50-102mm), 2 Newts (4.5-12"), and an 8" SCT
|
StarsAbove
sage
Reged: 09/09/05
Posts: 236
|
|
I just received my counterweight set from ScopeStuff today, model CWK1. There is nothing flimsy about it. The t-bar is made of anodized aluminum and if I tried I could not bend or break it. It's solid. It comes with two one-pound pancake weights and all the necessary hardware for $64. The model I got was for a Celestron 8" SCT.
--------------------
David
CPC 800 XLT
102mm f/7 Achromat
41º32'N 81º32'W
http://astro.lightarts.net
|
Boywtoys
member
Reged: 11/08/05
Posts: 84
|
|
Neo and ssatko,
This may save you a trip and some money.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7574888692&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT
They have other sizes and types too.
--------------------
Tommy
|
NeoDinian
Experienced Postmaster
Reged: 10/05/05
Posts: 14043
Loc: Rockford Illinois
|
|
Boytoys:
Thats the stuff, but for me to drive 20 miles, I could have color options as well...
Scott & David:
Just be observations based on the views of the material, as well as the fact that they offer "Outriggers" for them.. Why offer a "flex" support if the product don't flex? Common sense. David... When you get it mounted, and have the bolt in place (tightened down)... Move the bolt from side to side with it mounted in the center of the tube... It will twist slightly...
That 8020 stuff will not flex.
--------------------
Neo... (Jeff)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
10" LX200-GPS/SMT UHTC "Draco"
Rockford, Il.
NeoDinian's Eye on the Sky!
Coming soon:
|
chalker
professor emeritus
Reged: 09/14/05
Posts: 618
Loc: Ontario, Canada
|
|
Just a bit of a helpfull ( hopefully ) hint, this material is very common in the jig/fixture building world, and can be found in many places. Most woodworking, shop suppliers, and even lighting suppliers will carry various versions of this material. Even Lee Valley has some. It can be had in aluminum, stainless, even plain steel. A search in google for "t-slot track or extrusion should turn up someone nearby that carries it. We use it for drill fixtures at work, and most of the framing and sign box aluminum extrusion has these slots in it also.
--------------------
Orion StarMax 127
Meade Lightbridge 10" Deluxe
Toronto CSC
|
NeoDinian
Experienced Postmaster
Reged: 10/05/05
Posts: 14043
Loc: Rockford Illinois
|
|
I've seen the t-track or "Slide" or "Glides" as they are called for woodworking... Those are nice also. They are beefier than what Scopestuff has... That was an option for me as well.. But since I've found 8020, I will use that. Partially because of how beefie it is, partially because the cost is very cheap also... But the other reason is for the color options... I go for the looks as well, and those 8020 bars look cool..
--------------------
Neo... (Jeff)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
10" LX200-GPS/SMT UHTC "Draco"
Rockford, Il.
NeoDinian's Eye on the Sky!
Coming soon:
|
bginaz
sage
Reged: 12/15/04
Posts: 309
|
|
I have the Scopestuff rail and weights on my scope. I have it in the 3D configuration with 3 lbs centered on the rail and have not experienced any flex at all.
--------------------
Brian G
Carlsbad NM
JC Penny 7x35
Pentax 10x50
Miyauchi 20/26/37x100
|
BradH
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 06/19/04
Posts: 1047
Loc: Spencer, Indiana
|
|
I have the scopestuff and it works fine. The only thing I would change (if I was imaging with my ED 80) would be the tube ring from scopestuff. There balancing stuff works great.
Brad
--------------------
|
Scott in NC
Mad Hatter
Reged: 03/05/05
Posts: 6950
Loc: NC
|
|
I think I'll go with the $64 Scopestuff counterweight system. Does anyone have any opinions re: advantages/disadvantages of the CWK1 (pancake weight version) vs. the CWK2 (cylindrical weight version), or is this just largely a matter of personal preference?
--------------------
Clear skies,
Scott
my scopes: a few refractors (50-102mm), 2 Newts (4.5-12"), and an 8" SCT
|
Starman1
Vendor (EyepiecesEtc.com)
Reged: 06/24/03
Posts: 17639
Loc: Los Angeles
|
|
Quote:
How do you balance your CAT? I have my C8 mounted on a GP-DX with a set of tube rings, but since I hang a 2" diagonal, and often a big 2" eyepiece, off the back, it‘s difficult to get it balanced properly. I‘m considering buying a rail and dovetail:
http://www.scopestuff.com/ss_mpc8.htm
and a set of tube counterweights:
http://www.scopestuff.com/ss_baln1.htm
Will this do the trick?
Yes, you will need counterweights to lessen the strain on your motors.
Given that you probably don't want to slide the weights around all the time while you're observing, and your typical altitude is going to be between 30 and 90 degrees up from the horizon, if you balance your scope so that it settles exactly at 60 degrees, then the misbalance at 30 and 90 will be the same and your overall motor strain will be less.
Otherwise, mark the bar with white markers for balance at different altitudes and just slide the weight where you need it.
--------------------
Don Pensack
www.EyepiecesEtc.com
12.5" Teeter/Zambuto, 5" Maksutov
Sustaining Lifetime IDA member
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
[Re: 