Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums Cloudy Nights - Official Forums of the 2009 International Year of Astronomy 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 deezdrama Carpal Tunnel Reged: 03/29/05 Posts: 1637 Loc: Central Illinois cart on wheels for large sct       #2582029 - 08/14/08 09:07 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I have a giant meade field tripod for my 12" meade sct- the tripod is way too tall, and even though I could shrink the tripod with a peterson shrink kit I was thinking of building a cart on wheels that I could keep the scope permanently mounted on and store in the garage. Anyone ever built something similar and care to share pics or ideas? Im thinking on a 2' X 2' square frame (havn't decided on wether to make out of wood or metal) Im a welder and have access to both materials. Anyway- I was thinking of building the frame out of 2"x2" lumber to save on weight and the tabletop could be a sheet of 1/4" aluminum drilled for my forkmount. I could also have a slideout tray for a laptop, and could store my ep case inside the cart, could mount a powerstrip inside the cabinet also, just need to decide on hard or rubber wheels ect. Any suggestions,pics,opinions are welcome -------------------- Meade 12" LX200GPS Retired from Dr. Clay Sherrod's A.S.O. Sky Patrol Program CELESTRON 80 ED / CG-5 Post Extras:       Chriske Kijkerbouw Urania Reged: 08/15/04 Posts: 1963 Loc: Boechout, Belgium Re: cart on wheels for large sct [Re: deezdrama]       #2582545 - 08/15/08 04:29 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Yes, someone did make such a 'vehicle' indeed. As a matter of fact Clyde Tombaugh had one of his Newts mounted on a demolished lawn-mower. There was only the base, wheels and the handles left. It looked very cute to. I think I have a picture of it somewhere. I'll see if I can find it. -------------------- Chris Post Extras:       Chriske Kijkerbouw Urania Reged: 08/15/04 Posts: 1963 Loc: Boechout, Belgium Re: cart on wheels for large sct [Re: Chriske]       #2582798 - 08/15/08 09:39 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Found that picture of CT's lawn-mower scope Very nifty...! -------------------- Chris Post Extras:       Joe Cipriano Entropy Personified Reged: 09/03/05 Posts: 3830 Loc: Uh... anyone have a GPS? Re: cart on wheels for large sct [Re: Chriske]       #2583274 - 08/15/08 02:02 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I'm not sure this is what you're looking for, but maybe it'll give you some ideas... I used 4" foam-core wheels; I've a couple of wide expansion joints in my driveway, and the wheels smooth the ride. The jack screws are made from threaded rod and rod connectors, u-bolts, and Stanley drawer corner reinforcements. The jack screws have since been cut down (kept hitting them with my legs), and the wingnuts replaced with bigger crank handles. Cost about $100 total, and only a day to build. -------------------- In the Land of Eternal Light Pollution & Great Pizza (Chicago) SN-6, ED80, WO 66SD Meade 208xt, SBIG ST-4 D70 (modified) CGE (way modified) A Wife who understands (unmodified) Some other stuff... I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be. Douglas Adams Post Extras:       Pages: 1 Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Extra information 8 registered and 4 anonymous users are browsing this forum. 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