Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums Privacy Policy | Please read our Terms of Service | Signup and Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu.... uh, User You are not logged in. [Login] Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online FAQ · Calendar Equipment Discussions >> ATM, Optics and DIY Forum Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Pages: 1 | 2 | (show all) Greyhoundman sage Reged: 11/20/07 Posts: 204 Circus EQ Fork Mount       #2498286 - 07/03/08 09:16 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Circus because of the colors. The entire mount was made from shop junk and scraps, except for the appliance timer. I'll post all the photos in a row. Then you can all nod off as you peruse my latest design. -------------------- http://www.flickr.com/photos/greyhoundman/ http://greyhoundman.blogspot.com/ Post Extras:       Greyhoundman sage Reged: 11/20/07 Posts: 204 Re: Circus EQ Fork Mount [Re: Greyhoundman]       #2498289 - 07/03/08 09:16 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   -------------------- http://www.flickr.com/photos/greyhoundman/ http://greyhoundman.blogspot.com/ Post Extras:       Greyhoundman sage Reged: 11/20/07 Posts: 204 Re: Circus EQ Fork Mount [Re: Greyhoundman]       #2498290 - 07/03/08 09:16 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   -------------------- http://www.flickr.com/photos/greyhoundman/ http://greyhoundman.blogspot.com/ Post Extras:       Greyhoundman sage Reged: 11/20/07 Posts: 204 Re: Circus EQ Fork Mount [Re: Greyhoundman]       #2498291 - 07/03/08 09:16 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   -------------------- http://www.flickr.com/photos/greyhoundman/ http://greyhoundman.blogspot.com/ Post Extras:       Greyhoundman sage Reged: 11/20/07 Posts: 204 Re: Circus EQ Fork Mount [Re: Greyhoundman]       #2498293 - 07/03/08 09:17 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   -------------------- http://www.flickr.com/photos/greyhoundman/ http://greyhoundman.blogspot.com/ Post Extras:       Greyhoundman sage Reged: 11/20/07 Posts: 204 Re: Circus EQ Fork Mount [Re: Greyhoundman]       #2498295 - 07/03/08 09:17 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   -------------------- http://www.flickr.com/photos/greyhoundman/ http://greyhoundman.blogspot.com/ Post Extras:       Greyhoundman sage Reged: 11/20/07 Posts: 204 Re: Circus EQ Fork Mount [Re: Greyhoundman]       #2498305 - 07/03/08 09:22 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I also wish to give credit and thanks to Art Bianconi for his ideas and help. -------------------- http://www.flickr.com/photos/greyhoundman/ http://greyhoundman.blogspot.com/ Post Extras:       Sean Cunneen sage Reged: 08/01/07 Posts: 413 Loc: Blue Island Illinois Re: Circus EQ Fork Mount [Re: Greyhoundman]       #2498330 - 07/03/08 09:41 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Is that a household timer I see? How does that work for you if you don't mind my asking? I don't suppose you and your observing buddies all pile into a very small car on your way to your dark site? I'm curious is all... -------------------- Sean Cunneen Blue Island IL 8" f/8 Home built Newt, Discovery mirror, curved vane spider, CG5 Motorized head with Intelliscope DSC, Pier C102hd CG-4 38mm Aegena SWA 22PAN 12T4 7mm TMB Planetary 5mm TMB Planetary Post Extras:       Greyhoundman sage Reged: 11/20/07 Posts: 204 Re: Circus EQ Fork Mount [Re: Sean Cunneen]       #2498359 - 07/03/08 10:07 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   The timer is a 24 hour light/appliance timer from Radioshack. It is rated at 1/3 hp. It moves the scope and fork easily. I have a van that I use to carry my gear. But I usually just suffer in the driveway. Buddies? Here I'm considered a nutcase because I like to look up at night. -------------------- http://www.flickr.com/photos/greyhoundman/ http://greyhoundman.blogspot.com/ Post Extras:       Greyhoundman sage Reged: 11/20/07 Posts: 204 Re: Circus EQ Fork Mount [Re: Greyhoundman]       #2498366 - 07/03/08 10:15 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Info> The fork is made of 1/8" luan, so is very light for it's size. The lower part of the base is hollow, again to save weight. The copper shaft rides in waxed lignum vitae wood block bearings. Slicker than grease on ice. I can easily lift the entire mount with one hand. For me that is a good day. -------------------- http://www.flickr.com/photos/greyhoundman/ http://greyhoundman.blogspot.com/ Post Extras:       Denis super member Reged: 12/24/05 Posts: 164 Loc: Rennes, France Re: Circus EQ Fork Mount [Re: Greyhoundman]       #2498741 - 07/04/08 05:04 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Suggestion : with some string you can secure the instrument on the fork with a loop around the bearings and only use two pads of teflon, which would be more efficient. the string tension can also participate to the altitude motion settings. I use it on a 250 mm and have a very nicee scope and the string also tie all parts and make the telescope transportable in one piece : http://www.reto.fr/modif/imagepages/image22.html -------------------- Canon 10x42 IS binoculars. Meade sc 4" on homemade fork equatorial mount. homemade 10" an 14" dobsonian Nikon photogear. Post Extras:       strix sage Reged: 07/21/05 Posts: 247 Loc: southern Chile Re: Circus EQ Fork Mount [Re: Greyhoundman]       #2498928 - 07/04/08 09:44 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Simply brilliant How did you connected the household timer to the gear? How many teeth has each wheel and what's the diameter of each? Thanks in advance, David -------------------- Homemade 80 mm f/5 refractor (Starcat) Homemade 80 mm f/11.3 refractor (Astrix) Homemade 83 mm f/12 refractor (Astrix-Jaegers) Homemade 114 mm f/8 newtonian (Silverghost) UNITRON 105 mm f/15 refractor (older than me...) Post Extras:       Greyhoundman sage Reged: 11/20/07 Posts: 204 Re: Circus EQ Fork Mount [Re: strix]       #2498966 - 07/04/08 10:10 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Each plywood disc is 3.5" in diameter. Sorry but I didn't count teeth. The timer runs at solar rate. So as long as both gears are the same diameter it will be accurate. The gear on the timer is epoxied on. I pulled the center retaining disc/pin. Once the gear was in place, I used a self tapping screw to hold the assembly in place. It turns free, yet won't fall off if turned upside down. -------------------- http://www.flickr.com/photos/greyhoundman/ http://greyhoundman.blogspot.com/ Post Extras:       Wes James Carpal Tunnel Reged: 04/12/06 Posts: 2310 Re: Circus EQ Fork Mount [Re: Greyhoundman]       #2499035 - 07/04/08 10:45 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Very cool mount/design... where did you come up with a timer that runs at a solar rate???? What kind of a scope are you using on it? I love the paint job!!! -------------------- Wes Atlantic Beach, FL Some bino’s from Miyauchi 5x32 Binon's up through Garrett 20x110 Signature's, Some telescopes from a Stellarvue 80mm NHNG up through a couple of 8” reflectors… And a wonderful 4.25" Delmarva Shiefspiegler! Some good friends, made here on C/N. Oh- several cats and a wonderful wife! Anyone want a cat???? :-O "When your work speaks for itself- Don't Interrupt" -Gamble Rogers Post Extras:       Greyhoundman sage Reged: 11/20/07 Posts: 204 Re: Circus EQ Fork Mount [Re: Wes James]       #2499113 - 07/04/08 11:22 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   The timer runs at a solar rate from Radioshack. 15 amp, 1/3 hp, 1500 watt capcity. Cost $10.98 + tax. The timer is strictly a 24 hour timer. I took the switch clips off since I wasn't going to be turning lights on and off. I'm going to use the 4.5" 2 beam on the mount. -------------------- http://www.flickr.com/photos/greyhoundman/ http://greyhoundman.blogspot.com/ Post Extras:       Fiske Carpal Tunnel Reged: 03/14/04 Posts: 1931 Loc: Missouri / United States Re: Circus EQ Fork Mount [Re: Greyhoundman]       #2499193 - 07/04/08 11:59 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   GreyHound: This is such a cool project. Great work! I am especially impressed with your project budget. -------------------- Fiske Miles Nikon 8x42 LX / 12x50 SE Binos Mini Borg 60ED, TV-101, AT80Ach, XT-8, C11/CI-700, 22-Inch Dob Way too many Nagler eyepieces http://www.fiskemiles.blogspot.com/ www.fiskemiles.com Post Extras:       Greyhoundman sage Reged: 11/20/07 Posts: 204 Re: Circus EQ Fork Mount [Re: Fiske]       #2499195 - 07/04/08 12:00 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Comes from dumpster diving to save money when I ran my woodworking business. Cabinet shop dumpsters are a treasure trove. -------------------- http://www.flickr.com/photos/greyhoundman/ http://greyhoundman.blogspot.com/ Post Extras:       Fiske Carpal Tunnel Reged: 03/14/04 Posts: 1931 Loc: Missouri / United States Re: Circus EQ Fork Mount [Re: Greyhoundman]       #2499198 - 07/04/08 12:03 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Shoot! Wish I hadn't sold my 1967 C10 pickup. That would have been perfect for cruising dumpsters... -------------------- Fiske Miles Nikon 8x42 LX / 12x50 SE Binos Mini Borg 60ED, TV-101, AT80Ach, XT-8, C11/CI-700, 22-Inch Dob Way too many Nagler eyepieces http://www.fiskemiles.blogspot.com/ www.fiskemiles.com Post Extras:       Greyhoundman sage Reged: 11/20/07 Posts: 204 Re: Circus EQ Fork Mount [Re: Fiske]       #2499202 - 07/04/08 12:05 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I used to come home with the mini van loaded to the roof. Sometimes even with stuff strapped to the roof. I have an understanding wife. -------------------- http://www.flickr.com/photos/greyhoundman/ http://greyhoundman.blogspot.com/ Post Extras:       tim53 sage Reged: 12/17/04 Posts: 289 Re: Circus EQ Fork Mount [Re: Greyhoundman]       #2499300 - 07/04/08 12:52 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Sidebar about woodshop scrap bins. I still have some teak that I saved from the scrap bin when I was a deck carpenter at a yacht building company, and that was over 30 years ago. Yesterday, I went to a hardwood store for some padauk, and saw that teak is now about 50 bucks a board foot! Yikes! -Tim. -------------------- "We`re just waiting looking skyward as the days come down. Someone promised there`d be answers, if we stayed around." -Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark, "The Romance of the Telescope" Post Extras:       Pages: 1 | 2 | (show all) Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Extra information 14 registered and 12 anonymous users are browsing this forum. 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