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
arpruss
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 05/23/08
Posts: 855
Loc: Waco, TX
|
|
I'm looking for light-weight and thin steel loops (e.g., spring steel), about 10" diameter, that need to be able to support maybe two ounces of weight. This is for a light-shield for my travel scope. The loops would be attached to the focuser board, with some sort of braces (maybe made out of coathanger wire) to keep them horizontal, and would hang free on the other end, with foam between them. (Yes, it would wobble a lot, but I don't care.)
Currently, I'm hanging my light-shield off a coathanger distorted into a circle and attached to the focuser board, but it would be nice to have something a bit lighter.
I've tried googling for steel hoop, spring steel, etc., but haven't found anything promising. I suspect I am just missing the right keyword.
--------------------
Coulter Odyssey 13.1" split-tube
Coulter Odyssey 8"
Home-made 7.8" F/4 dobsonian travel scope
Home-made 68mm F/5.3 achro (typically used as finder on 13.1")
Skymaster 15x70
BPTs4 8x30
32mm Plossl, 30mm Rini, 27mm Kellner, 13mm Hyperion, 6mm TMB/BO Planetary, Owl 2X Barlow
Palm TX with AstroInfo and RescoViewer
|
flyfisherman
member
Reged: 08/11/09
Posts: 26
Loc: nevada,usa
|
|
how about ty-raps, also called zip-ties? nylon, and they make them in different thicknesses and lengths.
|
chalker
professor emeritus
Reged: 09/14/05
Posts: 604
Loc: Ontario, Canada
|
|
Maybe some stainless steel banding, like what is used to attach signs to utility poles on the street? Or maybe a large worm gear hose clamp? Check the heating isle of a larger hardware store. another thought would be a welding shop, ask to buy a length of stainless welding wire.
hose clamp; http://www.mcmaster.com/#5011t44/=448sl2
maybe a length of measuring tape from a pocket tape?
stainless wire including spring; http://www.mcmaster.com/#stainless-steel-wire/=448v2t
--------------------
Orion StarMax 127
Meade Lightbridge 10" Deluxe
Toronto CSC
|
chalker
professor emeritus
Reged: 09/14/05
Posts: 604
Loc: Ontario, Canada
|
|
I just ralized, what about music wire? ie instrument strings? try a music shop, get a large bass string maybe
--------------------
Orion StarMax 127
Meade Lightbridge 10" Deluxe
Toronto CSC
|
Rob E
Pierrot
Reged: 05/20/09
Posts: 1127
Loc: Eastern Virginia
|
|
If you look at the collapsible laundry baskets at Walmart/Kmart or Bed, Bath and Beyond. The collapsible feature on the majority of them is supported by spring steel struts. A basket cost $2-$10 depending on model and has more than enough material to meet your needs.
--------------------
Rob E.
Some of us are actually paid to be funny.
------
Zhumell 16"
Orion 120ST
Orion Starmax 127
Baader Planetarium Hyperions
Zhumell SWA EP's
There's two ways to do anything...right and twice
|
chalker
professor emeritus
Reged: 09/14/05
Posts: 604
Loc: Ontario, Canada
|
|
Good one Rob, won't find a cheaper supply anywhere
--------------------
Orion StarMax 127
Meade Lightbridge 10" Deluxe
Toronto CSC
|
wojo
sage
Reged: 09/28/07
Posts: 216
|
|
How about the wooden hoops that people do embroidery on. Too heavy? They come in many different sizes and are slightly adjustable...........Just a thought!
|
arpruss
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 05/23/08
Posts: 855
Loc: Waco, TX
|
|
Quote:
If you look at the collapsible laundry baskets at Walmart/Kmart or Bed, Bath and Beyond. The collapsible feature on the majority of them is supported by spring steel struts.
I am guessing that they're kind of like the collapsible tunnel that my kids play in (I have a ripped one in my scrap collection). If so, the steel may be a bit too thick, adding UTA weight (the balance on this scope is delicate, because the alt teflon pads are close together, to make the base lower profile). I am looking for something a little closer in weight to the springy loops that, I think, people use for jewelry. But the laundry baskets are basically the right kind of thing.
--------------------
Coulter Odyssey 13.1" split-tube
Coulter Odyssey 8"
Home-made 7.8" F/4 dobsonian travel scope
Home-made 68mm F/5.3 achro (typically used as finder on 13.1")
Skymaster 15x70
BPTs4 8x30
32mm Plossl, 30mm Rini, 27mm Kellner, 13mm Hyperion, 6mm TMB/BO Planetary, Owl 2X Barlow
Palm TX with AstroInfo and RescoViewer
Edited by arpruss (10/18/09 06:07 PM)
|
Rob E
Pierrot
Reged: 05/20/09
Posts: 1127
Loc: Eastern Virginia
|
|
The collapsible tunnels are a much heavier gauge. The laundry baskets should be a bit closer to your target..
--------------------
Rob E.
Some of us are actually paid to be funny.
------
Zhumell 16"
Orion 120ST
Orion Starmax 127
Baader Planetarium Hyperions
Zhumell SWA EP's
There's two ways to do anything...right and twice
|
arpruss
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 05/23/08
Posts: 855
Loc: Waco, TX
|
|
Having looked at some photos online, it looks like I might just be able to take one of the cheapest hampers, cut some holes in two sides (one for focuser and one for light path), add something dark to the side opposite the focuser (cloth or foam), attach a bit of velcro, and light-shield done. Thanks for the suggestion! I'll report back when I'm done.
--------------------
Coulter Odyssey 13.1" split-tube
Coulter Odyssey 8"
Home-made 7.8" F/4 dobsonian travel scope
Home-made 68mm F/5.3 achro (typically used as finder on 13.1")
Skymaster 15x70
BPTs4 8x30
32mm Plossl, 30mm Rini, 27mm Kellner, 13mm Hyperion, 6mm TMB/BO Planetary, Owl 2X Barlow
Palm TX with AstroInfo and RescoViewer
|
Rob E
Pierrot
Reged: 05/20/09
Posts: 1127
Loc: Eastern Virginia
|
|
FWIW, Dollar Tree has them sometimes. They are of the lightest gauge and really inexpensive. (It's what I used in my light shroud)
--------------------
Rob E.
Some of us are actually paid to be funny.
------
Zhumell 16"
Orion 120ST
Orion Starmax 127
Baader Planetarium Hyperions
Zhumell SWA EP's
There's two ways to do anything...right and twice
|
Bill Morgan
member
Reged: 01/18/09
Posts: 24
Loc: California
|
|
Hey, this time of the year you can buy cheap Halloween witches hats. They can spring into small loops for storage as well! If you can find one large enough you maybe able to twist it into the 10 inch size you need.
Bill
--------------------
In the makings:
16 inch F/4.5
13.1 inch F/4.5
10 inch F/6
Two Jeagar's 4" refractor lenses
|
Dick Jacobson
super member
Reged: 12/22/06
Posts: 131
Loc: Plymouth, Minnesota, USA
|
|
Try googling "flexible duct". From a quick check, it looks like it comes in sizes up to 20" diameter.
--------------------
Equatorial Newtonians, 20" and 14"
"The purpose of life is to be defeated by ever greater things." - Rielke
|
|
14 registered and 9 anonymous users are browsing this forum.
Moderator: Don W, Mike I. Jones
Print Thread
|
Forum Permissions
You cannot start new topics
You cannot reply to topics
HTML is disabled
UBBCode is enabled
|
Thread views: 179
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
[Re: 