Telescope Reviews: Can You "Handle" This ?

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Equipment Discussions >> ATM, Optics and DIY Forum

Pages: 1

Sky Captain
Metal Whisperer

Reged: 11/07/04
Posts: 7180
Loc: Issaquah, WA.

Can You "Handle" This ? new

#3420075 - 10/30/09 12:07 PM Attachment (46 downloads)

Well I certainly needed to get a handle on the movement of the AT 8" F4 mounted on the EZT. I found myself either grabbing the front or rear of the OTA to move it around. If I did this, I would see heat from my hand in the FOV...a little irritating to say the least.
So I headed to the shop with a handle idea and came up with this...

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Equipment Overload!
Kerry

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Sky Captain
Metal Whisperer

Reged: 11/07/04
Posts: 7180
Loc: Issaquah, WA.

Re: Can You Handle This ? new

[Re: Sky Captain]
#3420087 - 10/30/09 12:13 PM Attachment (23 downloads)

The 16" long by 1/2" round aluminum rod was mated to a 5" piece of 1" hex aluminum for the handle. Not sure if anyone has done anything similar or not, but I would have to think that on this site, there are atleast a few examples being implemented.
It is attached to the rings with a couple of metric stainless allen head screws and some press on knobs to match.

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Equipment Overload!
Kerry

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Sky Captain
Metal Whisperer

Reged: 11/07/04
Posts: 7180
Loc: Issaquah, WA.

Re: Can You Handle This ? new

[Re: Sky Captain]
#3420099 - 10/30/09 12:17 PM Attachment (21 downloads)

Something a little different was the contact point on the rings. I machined two recesses in the alum. rod so it would fit on the face of the ring base better and not want to "roll" around if the screws got a little loose during a viewing. This is a shot of the middle of the handle rod and the end has the same.

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Equipment Overload!
Kerry

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Sky Captain
Metal Whisperer

Reged: 11/07/04
Posts: 7180
Loc: Issaquah, WA.

Re: Can You Handle This ? new

[Re: Sky Captain]
#3420117 - 10/30/09 12:29 PM Attachment (16 downloads)

Overall length is 20". Moving the scope around on the EZT has made a huge difference. With the handle a little past the end of the OTA, helps give a little extra torque. I also put a few degrees of bend in it so my hand won't hit or touch the side of the OTA.

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Equipment Overload!
Kerry

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rboe

Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 45310
Loc: Phx, AZ

Re: Can You Handle This ? new

[Re: Sky Captain]
#3420121 - 10/30/09 12:30 PM

So how do you like it? Does it give you the fine leverage you need? Hope so as I like the way it does not stick out - pretty darn slick.

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Ron

NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies

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Sky Captain
Metal Whisperer

Reged: 11/07/04
Posts: 7180
Loc: Issaquah, WA.

Re: Can You Handle This ? new

[Re: rboe]
#3420134 - 10/30/09 12:40 PM Attachment (8 downloads)

Quote:

So how do you like it? Does it give you the fine leverage you need? Hope so as I like the way it does not stick out - pretty darn slick.

Thanks Ron. I made a smaller (shorter) handle at first and though it was good, but by extending it about 4 more inches, made a world of difference. Even the wife thought it was great for moving the scope around.
It does stick out a little, (only 2.5") but since the handle can be removed easily this won't be a problem.

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Equipment Overload!
Kerry

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jayscheuerle
Post Laureate