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Equipment Discussions >> Equipment

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mich_al
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/10/09

Loc: Rural central lower Michigan ...

Re: "Non-astronomy" equipment adapted for astronom new

[Re: magic612]
#3572258 - 01/20/10 09:54 AM

Quote:

[Credit goes to my dad - he taught me how to both build and fix a lot of different things when I was a kid. That knowledge and creativity carries forward.

Yea, mine too, probably the most valuable skill I have, and that includes college degrees.

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reddog15
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 11/09/09

Loc: Wyoming

Re: "Non-astronomy" equipment adapted for astronom new

[Re: magic612]
#3572498 - 01/20/10 11:46 AM

Good deal

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Darren Drake
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/09/02

Loc: Chicagoland

Re: "Non-astronomy" equipment adapted for astronom new

[Re: reddog15]
#3572518 - 01/20/10 11:52 AM

I recently was given a 12V heated car seat and it occured to me that maybe this could be used to somehow rap around eyepieces not in use and keep them from dewing up. Or maybe just put it out flat on a table and the heat alone should keep the eyepieces warm. Hmmm what do ya think??

Edited by Darren Drake (01/20/10 11:54 AM)

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reddog15
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 11/09/09

Loc: Wyoming

Re: "Non-astronomy" equipment adapted for astronom new

[Re: Darren Drake]
#3572551 - 01/20/10 12:05 PM

I use a heating pad in a case for my EPs so you'll be just fine

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reddog15
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 11/09/09

Loc: Wyoming

Re: "Non-astronomy" equipment adapted for astronom new

[Re: reddog15]
#3577096 - 01/22/10 02:15 PM

Keeping it alive

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dandabson
super member

Reged: 10/15/08

Loc: Dover, DE

Re: "Non-astronomy" equipment adapted for astronom new

[Re: reddog15]
#3577402 - 01/22/10 05:01 PM

One word "VELCRO"

I use it to secure hand controlers, dew buster cables, etc.

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reddog15
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 11/09/09

Loc: Wyoming

Re: "Non-astronomy" equipment adapted for astronom new

[Re: dandabson]
#3577932 - 01/22/10 10:24 PM

Quote:

One word "VELCRO"

I use it to secure hand controlers, dew buster cables, etc.

Yea and works good for controlling the youngins too

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magic612
Post Laureate

Reged: 09/30/08

Loc: S. of Chicago's light dome

Re: "Non-astronomy" equipment adapted for astronom new

[Re: reddog15]
#3577944 - 01/22/10 10:32 PM

Oh, almost forgot - I used a drum stool for the longest time as my adjustable-height observing chair, before I built myself a new one out of wood that has a more comfortable seat and allows me to lean back (helpful for binocular observing).

And milk crates make great 'tripods' for smaller-sized Dobs - place the scope on the milk crate, and the eyepiece is at a much more comfortable level for those smaller 4.5" and 5" scopes.

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Jack Tripper
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 05/10/09

Re: "Non-astronomy" equipment adapted for astronom new

[Re: magic612]
#3577981 - 01/22/10 10:57 PM

Quote:

And milk crates make great 'tripods' for smaller-sized Dobs - place the scope on the milk crate, and the eyepiece is at a much more comfortable level for those smaller 4.5" and 5" scopes.

Speaking of milk-crates. I personally use somthing similar to carry little things (power cord, polarizer, etc...), and then, when I feel like it, I flip it side-ways and use it as an observing chair! Not exactly top of the line, but it's functional, light, and cheap!

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Hegerberg
super member

Reged: 10/24/08

Loc: Atlanta Ga

Re: "Non-astronomy" equipment adapted for astronom new

[Re: Jack Tripper]
#3579113 - 01/23/10 03:32 PM

Flower pot.

Bruce

sun gun

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reddog15
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 11/09/09

Loc: Wyoming

Re: "Non-astronomy" equipment adapted for astronom new

[Re: Hegerberg]
#3579142 - 01/23/10 03:48 PM

Quote:

Flower pot.

Bruce

sun gun

I think I saw here on DIY that someone made a pier out of a flower pot

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izar187
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 09/02/06

Loc: 43N

Re: "Non-astronomy" equipment adapted for astronom new

[Re: Jack Tripper]
#3579780 - 01/23/10 09:22 PM

Prescription bottles for 1.25" ep's. Free for the asking at local drug stores.
Galvanized pipe and elbows for tripods and mounts. Nothing new there.
Old baseball or knit hats for Telrads.
Another vote for thrift/second hand stores have really inexpensive ep, gear and atlas cases.

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Ragaisis
sage

Reged: 05/16/08

Loc: Milwaukee, WI

Re: "Non-astronomy" equipment adapted for astronom new

[Re: Hegerberg]
#3580527 - 01/24/10 09:19 AM

Now that is just TOO cool.

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Jim Curry
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 10/29/07

Loc: STL

Re: "Non-astronomy" equipment adapted for astronom new

[Re: Darren Drake]
#3581575 - 01/24/10 05:49 PM

Darren said:I recently was given a 12V heated car seat

Forget the ep's, how about sitting on it?! :>)

Jim

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MrKrink
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 02/20/09

Loc: Lawndale NC, USA

Re: "Non-astronomy" equipment adapted for astronom new

[Re: Jim Curry]
#3582696 - 01/25/10 10:09 AM

1. Rubbermaid box for incidentals, i.e. power cord, books, vib pads.

2. 8"x 3/4" bolts and flat steel for weight carrier.

3. Double pistol case for eyepieces.

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MrKrink
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 02/20/09

Loc: Lawndale NC, USA

Re: "Non-astronomy" equipment adapted for astronom new

[Re: Luigi]
#3583166 - 01/25/10 02:39 PM

Quote:

I always look for non-astro specific solutions. It usually saves a bunch of money. Check out the strong nylon padded mount bags below that are $25 new. Buy two and get free shipping (they are sold as speaker stands).

Where did you get these bags??

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magic612
Post Laureate

Reged: 09/30/08

Loc: S. of Chicago's light dome

Re: "Non-astronomy" equipment adapted for astronom new

[Re: MrKrink]
#3587388 - 01/27/10 02:57 PM

One more I remembered: Piano felt.

The stuff can be had in various thicknesses and densities, and many of them are sold in nice long rolls of the stuff. Makes great tube ring liners. The difficulty is finding a place that will sell it to you - since I happen to do some piano repair work (and tuning), I know of a couple places that will sell it to me.

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