· Get a Cloudy Nights T-Shirt · Submit a Review / Article 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 >> Mounts Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Pages: 1 rogerry sage Reged: 04/23/07 Loc: south east Michigan My pipe mount and tripod       #2966273 - 03/05/09 07:47 PM Attachment (74 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Following Mr. Wang's excellent instructions, I built a pipe mount for my newly acquired C6R. I had some trouble locating the 2 inch fittings but did eventually acquire them at a local specialty plumbing store. I will not go into detail on its construction as that would be redundant (read Mr. Wang's article). The mount works wonderfully! I lubed the moving parts with waterproof bearing grease and it tracks smoother than my 12 inch dob. I placed the mount on a tripod that a guy at work welded up for me. The design is simple: three pieces of 1-1/2" I.D. water pipe welded at a 64 degree angle to a 3/16" steel plate. A triangle brace is welded between the legs for additional stability. The top of the tripod is 4 feet off the ground. With the additional height of the pipe mount the height is perfect for my C6R. I can look at zenith while sitting on a low stool. The stability of the whole set-up is fantastic! Dampening times are less than one second. One might think of this as a heavy set-up but its not. I can easily pick the whole assembly up (counter weight too) and walk outside of the garage with it and I am ready to observe in about 60 seconds. I want to thank everyone who gave me advice on constructing this set-up. I received some valuable info from many CNers without which I wouldn't have been able to do this. I am going to try to attach some photos... Post Extras:       rogerry sage Reged: 04/23/07 Loc: south east Michigan Re: My pipe mount and tripod [Re: rogerry]       #2966276 - 03/05/09 07:48 PM Attachment (64 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here's another: Post Extras:       rogerry sage Reged: 04/23/07 Loc: south east Michigan Re: My pipe mount and tripod [Re: rogerry]       #2966277 - 03/05/09 07:48 PM Attachment (53 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   and another: Post Extras:       rogerry sage Reged: 04/23/07 Loc: south east Michigan Re: My pipe mount and tripod [Re: rogerry]       #2966279 - 03/05/09 07:49 PM Attachment (45 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Last one: Post Extras:       rogerry sage Reged: 04/23/07 Loc: south east Michigan Re: My pipe mount and tripod [Re: rogerry]       #2966286 - 03/05/09 07:53 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I forgot to mention that I attached the scope using a home made oak mounting plate. I thought this might help with vibrations. I also sandwiched a 3/4" piece of plywood between the mount and tripod to soak up some more vibrations. It works, no vibrations at all when I tested it at 175x. Post Extras:       rathbaster scholastic sledgehammer Reged: 03/21/08 Loc: East Bridgewater, MA Re: My pipe mount and tripod [Re: rogerry]       #2966330 - 03/05/09 08:18 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Very cool. -Joe Post Extras:       ibase Vendor Affilliate Reged: 03/20/08 Loc: Manila, Philippines 121*E 14*N Re: My pipe mount and tripod [Re: rogerry]       #2966357 - 03/05/09 08:37 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Great DIY! Up to how many pounds can this carry? Thanks. Best, Post Extras:       rogerry sage Reged: 04/23/07 Loc: south east Michigan Re: My pipe mount and tripod [Re: ibase]       #2966394 - 03/05/09 09:05 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   It feels like it can handle much more than the 20 lbs. of the refractor and the 10 lb. counter weight. I am not sure of its limits as I don't own anything bigger than the C6R! Post Extras:       mathteacher Carpal Tunnel Reged: 05/13/07 Loc: Oakland, CA Re: My pipe mount and tripod [Re: rogerry]       #2966402 - 03/05/09 09:12 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Roger, thanks for the pics and report. I'm glad it's working well for you. Less than one second....WOW! My setup is more like 3s. Your tripod is really clean, simple, solid. That's great! I may try a little grease on mine... thanks for the tip! Let us know how you like the views in the Refractor forum. Post Extras:       Raven911 Carpal Tunnel Reged: 03/12/05 Loc: by Cloudcroft, NM Re: My pipe mount and tripod [Re: mathteacher]       #2966717 - 03/06/09 12:11 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I have an EQ style pipe mount, and it can hold a LOT of weight. I suspect it would easily hold 50 lbs or more. I would think you would mostly be limited by the tripod stability. Post Extras:       ibase Vendor Affilliate Reged: 03/20/08 Loc: Manila, Philippines 121*E 14*N Re: My pipe mount and tripod [Re: Raven911]       #2966855 - 03/06/09 02:51 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Thanks for the infor Roger and Raven. Best, Post Extras:       Pages: 1 Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Extra information 12 registered and 35 anonymous users are browsing this forum. 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