· 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 txmnjim sage Reged: 03/31/09 Loc: Rochester, MN Clamps/Straps for Mounting OTA to Edmunds GEM?       #3164556 - 06/15/09 07:19 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hi folks! I try hard to do searches and such to not have to start new threads, but I can't find anything on this topic. I am resurrecting and old Edmunds Scientific GEM (model B-2088) and see that it was originally sold with clamps or bands that attached the OTA to it. I have built a 10" OTA out of Sonotube, and I am trying to figure out how to attach it to the mount? I need someting that I can break down to transport, but want something a little more sturdy than a belt strap ;-) This little mount is quite sturdy and I'm hoping to do some astrophotography some day. Thanks for any advice, or information on this topic! Jim Post Extras:       Exit-pupil sage Reged: 11/13/07 Loc: Eastern Long Island, NY Re: Clamps/Straps for Mounting OTA to Edmunds GEM? [Re: txmnjim]       #3164654 - 06/15/09 08:28 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Jim, What I did was drill two holes through the tube and use bolts secured with nuts as semi-permanent studs. You can then slip the OTA onto the cradle and secure the ends of the studs with wing nuts. This will also keep it from sliding when pointed at the zenith, which might be a concern using straps. Jono Post Extras:       txmnjim sage Reged: 03/31/09 Loc: Rochester, MN Re: Clamps/Straps for Mounting OTA to Edmunds GEM? [Re: Exit-pupil]       #3164758 - 06/15/09 09:37 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   This is a good idea. My tube is a 60" piece (nearly f8) and was wondering if placement of these two anchor bolts needed to be at balance point for the OTA? Particularly, since I know next to nothing about GEM's, when balancing a GEM do you need to have the OTA perfectly balanced as well? Only other concern I have is since I'm using Sonotube, will the weight of the "hanging OTA" rip out these anchor bolts over time? Thanks for the info. Jim Post Extras:       txmnjim sage Reged: 03/31/09 Loc: Rochester, MN Re: Clamps/Straps for Mounting OTA to Edmunds GEM? [Re: txmnjim]       #3167246 - 06/17/09 07:32 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Bump. Anyone have any ideas about balancing Newtonians on a GEM? Or the possible strength of Sonotube? Thanks! Jim Post Extras:       Pages: 1 Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Extra information 27 registered and 35 anonymous users are browsing this forum. Moderator:  Bowmoreman, bilgebay, iceblaze  Print Thread Forum Permissions       You cannot start new topics       You cannot reply to topics       HTML is disabled       UBBCode is enabled Thread views: 276 Jump to *Announcements and News* -----   Cloudy Nights Announcements   Discussion of CN Articles, Reviews, and Reports   Celestial Events*General Astronomy* -----   Beginners Forum   General Observing and Astronomy   Outreach   Light Pollution*Equipment Discussions* -----   ATM, Optics and DIY Forum   Binoculars   Binoviewers   Cats & Casses   Classic Telescopes   Equipment   Eyepieces   Mounts   Observatories   Reflectors   Refractors    Video and Electronically Assisted Astronomy*Astrophotography and Sketching* -----   Beginning and Intermediate Imaging   Film Astrophotography   DSLR & Digital Camera Astro Imaging & Processing   CCD Imaging & Processing   Solar System Imaging & Processing   Sketching   Astro Imaging/Sketching Contest *Observing* -----   NEO   Planetary and Solar System Observing   Lunar Observing   Deep Sky Observing   Double Star Observing   Solar   Variable Star Observing and Radio Astronomy*Telescope Specific Forums* -----   Celestron NexStar    NexStar GPS / CPC Telescopes   Questar Forum   Meade ACF/RCX / LX / GPS    Meade ETX*Speciality Forums* -----   Arizona Science and Astronomy Expo   NEAF (Northeast Astronomy Forum) and NEAIC (Northeast Astro Imaging Conference)   AstroArt   Astronomy Clubs and Star Parties   Astronomy Software & Computers   AstroWebsites   Science! Astronomy & Space Exploration, and Others   Space Rocks   Stellar Media*Swap and Shop* -----   Shop and Swap Audio Components*CN Feedback and Vendor Announcements* -----   Vendor and Group Announcements*International Year of Astronomy 2009 - Forums are now closed.* -----   IYA Archive Info CN Forums Home

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