Darenwh
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 05/11/06
Loc: Covington, GA
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Re: "Non-astronomy" equipment adapted for astronomy?
[Re: yowser]
#3569306 - 01/18/10 08:48 PM
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From a cereal box when the latest Star Trek film was released I got myself a great little red flashlight in the shape of a Klingon insignia. Works great, cost nothing extra, and I would have bought the cereal anyways.
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reddog15
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/09/09
Loc: Wyoming
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Re: "Non-astronomy" equipment adapted for astronom
[Re: Scott2526]
#3569449 - 01/18/10 10:04 PM
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I just love my 'Tinker Toy' micro focuser.
Never would have guessed those were still being made  
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hfjacinto
I think he's got it!
Reged: 01/12/09
Loc: Land of clouds and LP
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Re: "Non-astronomy" equipment adapted for astronom
[Re: reddog15]
#3569462 - 01/18/10 10:11 PM
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I wanted a red light flashlight, checked the prices and almost passed out. A couple of weeks ago I went to target and they had maglights on sale for $5.66. I purchased 1 (should have gotten 2) and got some red light tape from the automotive light. I could have paid $20 for a red light flashlight or $7.65 for a maglight and red tape, the maglight is better and cheaper. BTW I still have ALOT of red light tape.
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mich_al
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 05/10/09
Loc: Rural central lower Michigan ...
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Re: "Non-astronomy" equipment adapted for astronom
[Re: hfjacinto]
#3570002 - 01/19/10 08:47 AM
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Music stand to hold atlases, star charts etc. It's height adjustable and the head rotates from horizontal to vertical. Very handy, got the idea here.
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caheaton
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 05/26/09
Loc: SW Ohio
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Re: "Non-astronomy" equipment adapted for astronom
[Re: mich_al]
#3570341 - 01/19/10 12:17 PM
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I've found that the world is full of stuff that can be diverted to astronomical use. Some that I've used so far:
A red light wand (meant for trick or treaters use) with neck lanyard. Makes a handy flashlight and (now that I've received a red/white/green laser combo for Christmas) a handy marker for hanging from the scope to keep it getting bumped in to.
A children's sleeping bag as a scope case and extra padding for the scope now that I have the Orion case (also from Christmas  ). I also will spread this on the ground to protect the scope while setting up and tearing down. Works great as long as you don't mind characters from Disney's "Cars" smiling at you! (My other bag option was Barbie...)
A genric fanny pack, coupled with foam that is meant for sealing a window air conditioner makes a handy ep and filter case when at the scope.
A pair of harbor freight tool boxes (nearly identical to Orion's accessory cases) and some foam from Hobby Lobby make for fine EP & accesory cases. I've also used a Plano real case (it came with foam) to hold my 2" EP's.
A pillow case serves as a dust cover for the ETX-80. A carry on luggage back pack serves as the ETX's travel case. (With beach towels used to provide extra padding...they also then do double duty for wiping off dew prior to transporting home).
A folding padded bar stool serves as a comfortable scope chair. A Black & Decker jump starter provides portable electrical power for powering the ETX (and soon a travel hair dryer).
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AlienFirstClass
Vendor
Reged: 02/13/09
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Re: "Non-astronomy" equipment adapted for astronom
[Re: caheaton]
#3570546 - 01/19/10 02:02 PM
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Thanks for starting this discussion...it should prove to be an interesting one.
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reddog15
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/09/09
Loc: Wyoming
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Re: "Non-astronomy" equipment adapted for astronom
[Re: AlienFirstClass]
#3570557 - 01/19/10 02:07 PM
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Yes it is and I forgot one,a heating pad to keep EPs warm
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omahaastro
sage
Reged: 08/30/06
Loc: Omaha, NE
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Re: "Non-astronomy" equipment adapted for astronom
[Re: reddog15]
#3570594 - 01/19/10 02:27 PM
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DC powered 'camping' hair dryer... I question how well these things work for drying hair, but they make short work of dew. 
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Rob E
Village......clown
Reged: 05/20/09
Loc: Where Independence Was Won
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Re: "Non-astronomy" equipment adapted for astronom
[Re: omahaastro]
#3570767 - 01/19/10 03:41 PM
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I nominate this thread for a sticky11
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csa/montana
Den Mama
Reged: 05/14/05
Loc: montana
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Re: "Non-astronomy" equipment adapted for astronom
[Re: Rob E]
#3570792 - 01/19/10 03:55 PM
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We try to keep the "Sticky" threads to a minimum; so they don't push the actual threads down on the page in the forums.
It may, at a later time; be posted under "Carol's Picks".
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Rob E
Village......clown
Reged: 05/20/09
Loc: Where Independence Was Won
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Re: "Non-astronomy" equipment adapted for astronom
[Re: csa/montana]
#3570805 - 01/19/10 04:01 PM
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reddog15
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/09/09
Loc: Wyoming
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Re: "Non-astronomy" equipment adapted for astronom
[Re: csa/montana]
#3570816 - 01/19/10 04:06 PM
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You go girl  
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Jack Tripper
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 05/10/09
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Re: "Non-astronomy" equipment adapted for astronomy?
[Re: Jack Tripper]
#3570903 - 01/19/10 04:57 PM
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Rubbermade type containers as telescope cases.
The JMI hard cases are amazingly beautiful, but expensive. The Rubbermades have proven themselves to be a practical and economical alternative.
I had no idea this thread would be so popular. But it seems that I'm not the only one looking to go the less expensive route!
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magic612
Post Laureate
Reged: 09/30/08
Loc: S. of Chicago's light dome
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Re: "Non-astronomy" equipment adapted for astronom
[Re: reddog15]
#3570910 - 01/19/10 05:03 PM
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Let's see:
- Lowe's aluminum case (mentioned earlier)
- Once made an SCT counterweight assembly from crochet hoop rings
- PVC pipe; at least three scopes now
- PVC pipe as finderscope rings
- PVC pipe fittings as altitude bearings on at least two scopes
- Lazy Susan bearing: Azimuth bearing for two different scopes (the 12" ones work best)
- Counter-top laminate for Dob bearing surface (wasn't Ebony Star)
- UHMW tape die cuts I got at work (these have come in handy for a variety of things)
- PTFE tape from work (handy for focusers, other sliding parts on scopes)
- LED bulbs from Radio shack that, when placed in a short length of PVC pipe and a battery pack and a few switches, works well as a multi-purpose light (white, bright red, dim red)
- NiMh battery packs from radio-control airplane hobby work well as counterweights / Dob fan power source
- Found some felt-like paper at Hobby Lobby that worked wonders as a flocking paper for several scopes
- Used carpet tape to adhere the above-mentioned paper
That's about all I can think of off the top of my head at the moment. I might be able to come up with more.
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reddog15
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/09/09
Loc: Wyoming
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Re: "Non-astronomy" equipment adapted for astronom
[Re: magic612]
#3571122 - 01/19/10 06:52 PM
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Definitely a construction worker,my guess a plumber with all the PVC No, I,m a carpenter 
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magic612
Post Laureate
Reged: 09/30/08
Loc: S. of Chicago's light dome
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Re: "Non-astronomy" equipment adapted for astronom
[Re: reddog15]
#3571686 - 01/19/10 11:27 PM
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Actually I'm in sales and do CAD design as part of my job too.
But I have fixed a lot of plumbing in my house. Does that count?
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Radiostar
professor emeritus
Reged: 10/16/08
Loc: Thunder Bay, Ontario
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Re: "Non-astronomy" equipment adapted for astronom
[Re: magic612]
#3571920 - 01/20/10 03:43 AM
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I use a Plano case for eyepieces and odds and ends, a foam mat for a dew shield, a computer power supply to run my mount, plastic buckets that cat litter comes in to store and carry power cables and stuff, and a red LED truck marker light mounted on the end of a old clip on lamp. I love to "recycle".
Eddy B
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Arbacia
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 04/18/07
Loc: Madrid, Spain
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Re: "Non-astronomy" equipment adapted for astronom
[Re: Radiostar]
#3571943 - 01/20/10 04:04 AM
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Plastic tarps to place the telescopes in field
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reddog15
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/09/09
Loc: Wyoming
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Re: "Non-astronomy" equipment adapted for astronom
[Re: magic612]
#3571975 - 01/20/10 04:54 AM
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Actually I'm in sales and do CAD design as part of my job too.
But I have fixed a lot of plumbing in my house. Does that count?
Honorary,you do have versatility though
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magic612
Post Laureate
Reged: 09/30/08
Loc: S. of Chicago's light dome
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Re: "Non-astronomy" equipment adapted for astronom
[Re: reddog15]
#3572193 - 01/20/10 09:19 AM
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Quote:
Quote:
Actually I'm in sales and do CAD design as part of my job too.
But I have fixed a lot of plumbing in my house. Does that count?
Honorary,you do have versatility though
Credit goes to my dad - he taught me how to both build and fix a lot of different things when I was a kid. That knowledge and creativity carries forward.
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