Sky Captain
Metal Whisperer
Reged: 11/07/04
Posts: 7195
Loc: Issaquah, WA.
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Just when I thought I was done modifying the Light Bridge... 
With the addition of the setting circles last year, I ended up having to move the EP holder to the other side of the base. This has proved very inconvienent to getting at the EP's. Having seen a few stands mounted to the DOB base to hold digital setting hand controllers, I got an idea for holding EP's instead.
The goal was to not bend over to get to them, but make it easier and safer to change the EP's when needed. I was going to use an aluminum disc to hold them, but thought that if they get bumped, the thin aluminum wouldn't hold them in very well, and as I tested this theory it proved to be right.
I needed a thicker material that was light and wouldn't damage the EP. So I picked up a piece of HDPE plastic that is 3/4" thick. I cut it into a 6" diam. disc with two 2" holes and two 1.25" holes. Testing this thicker material proved to be just right, as the EP's can't be knocked out of the holder if bumped on the side.
It was mounted so as not to interfer with the scope when in the fully upright position.
Now the EP's are with in reach for quick and safe EP changes. 
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Equipment Overload!
Kerry
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Sky Captain
Metal Whisperer
Reged: 11/07/04
Posts: 7195
Loc: Issaquah, WA.
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To hold the stand in place I made an aluminum bracket with a 1" hole in it to match the EP holders stand. It uses two 1/4"x20 screws to mount it to the base. The base is a 1.25" diam. aluminum disc that I machined so the pole will fit into and on top of. This way I don't have to mess with a washer to protect the top of the base each time the EP holder is put on and taken off the mount. It is also threaded in the center and a screw in holding it in place from the bottom.
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Equipment Overload!
Kerry
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Sky Captain
Metal Whisperer
Reged: 11/07/04
Posts: 7195
Loc: Issaquah, WA.
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Here is a close up of the bracket.
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Equipment Overload!
Kerry
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Sky Captain
Metal Whisperer
Reged: 11/07/04
Posts: 7195
Loc: Issaquah, WA.
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And a picture of the machined base, it's 1/2" thick.
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Equipment Overload!
Kerry
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Sky Captain
Metal Whisperer
Reged: 11/07/04
Posts: 7195
Loc: Issaquah, WA.
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This shows the EP holder out of the mounting that I made. Overall length of the EP holder is 25" including the HDPE top. The 1" aluminum tubing has 1/4"x20 inserts at both ends. This way I can screw the EP holder to the top of the pole...and with the stud sticking up from the base, it just takes a few twists to seat it firmly in it's place.
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Equipment Overload!
Kerry
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Sky Captain
Metal Whisperer
Reged: 11/07/04
Posts: 7195
Loc: Issaquah, WA.
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This has been another great addition to my DOB and I hope it will inspire others to try the same thing.
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Equipment Overload!
Kerry
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The bear
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 02/11/08
Posts: 825
Loc: rushville, indiana
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very cool idea
doc
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Longitude -85.42786 Latitude 39.59153
"current build 6 inch F6.5 "Little Toe"
"if all else fails use duct tape "works for me"
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square_peg
Postmaster
Reged: 03/26/04
Posts: 29527
Loc: Maple Valley, WA
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Nice work, Kerry. 
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Tom (Pegster)
DSH-8 (GSO Dob)
15x70 Oberwerks
SVP/ED80
WO 66 Petzval
Sears Discoverer EQ 60/900
8x42 Regals
History is Philosophy teaching by examples.
Thucydides
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Jim Moscheck
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/08/07
Posts: 1624
Loc: Under the SE Michigan lightdom...
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Very slick.
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Jim Moscheck
Ford Amateur Astronomy Club
ATM truss dob
Stevens 14.5" f4.3
"A mind is like a parachute. It doesn't work if it's not open." - Frank Zappa
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Sky Captain
Metal Whisperer
Reged: 11/07/04
Posts: 7195
Loc: Issaquah, WA.
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Thanks guys, it's been a fun project.
Here is a shot without the EP's.
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Equipment Overload!
Kerry
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