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Pages: 1 importcarguy member Reged: 09/27/10 8" LX200 GPS Counterweight Rail Solution       #5118884 - 03/12/12 05:05 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hello Everyone, I am trying to find a DIY solution for a mounting rail for a counterweight system as I dont have the budget for the fancy rail systems. Does anyone know of a specific type of metal channel piece or location to find such a thing? I would just drill it out myself and use the existing ota screw locations for mounting. I am thinking a cheap piece of C channel or something similar would work, but don't know where to look other than my local hardware store. Any ideas would be appreciated! This is to allow for mounting a sliding bolt to which I will attach a flat gym weight under my 8" LX200 GPS to get it balanced for astrophotography. Thanks! Tony Post Extras:       *skyguy* Pooh-Bah Reged: 12/31/08 Loc: Western New York Re: 8" LX200 GPS Counterweight Rail Solution [Re: importcarguy]       #5119290 - 03/12/12 10:27 PM Attachment (97 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hi Tony, I built this counterweight system for my 12" LX200 "Classic" about 10 years ago. I used a piece of 3/4" aluminum square tubing into which I cut an open slot using a radial arm saw. I bought the square tubing from Home Depot for a couple of dollars and it even included the plastic end caps. It's actually a 3D system ... with the weights attached to an arm that slides up and down the chrome shaft ... rotates 360 degrees ... and slides along the OTA. It's hard to see it in the image (OTA in vertical position) because the weights and swing arm are up against the OTA for winter storage in the observatory. BTW, the weights are homemade out of lead by melting old fishing weights and pouring it into a mold. Jim Post Extras:       importcarguy member Reged: 09/27/10 Re: 8" LX200 GPS Counterweight Rail Solution [Re: *skyguy*]       #5121017 - 03/13/12 10:21 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hi Jim, Thanks for the idea. I do not have a saw though. I talked to Jim at scopestuff and he gave me some ideas that weren't too expensive. I like the idea of coming up with something myself tho. I went to the local hardware store and they didn't have much. Maybe the next trip will be to home depot. Tony Post Extras:       Rick Woods Postmaster Reged: 01/27/05 Loc: Inner Solar System Re: 8" LX200 GPS Counterweight Rail Solution [Re: importcarguy]       #5121811 - 03/14/12 12:16 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I used some steel strut for rails on top and bottom. The weights slide on a big bolt with a wide head, that tightens with a wing nut. Solid as a rock, and works great. Post Extras:       gavinm Carpal Tunnel Reged: 08/26/05 Loc: Auckland New Zealand Re: 8" LX200 GPS Counterweight Rail Solution [Re: Rick Woods]       #5122373 - 03/14/12 06:05 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   If you make your own weights then you can put bolts in the middle of them. Mount them directly to the threaded holes in the corrector plate thingee (whatever its called). You can use the hole that is slightly off-centre to get an East bias. I have one weight mounted here that balances about 95% of my equipment and use a smaller weight for fine balancing (I can actually get by without the second weight for most imaging). You can see the threaded hole I use in the photo above. Post Extras:       iverp member Reged: 04/16/10 Re: 8" LX200 GPS Counterweight Rail Solution [Re: gavinm]       #5135117 - 03/22/12 09:32 AM Attachment (77 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I found an upright for a wall mounted shelf system. It has the right profile, but I can't remember the brand name. I used only an electric drill and bought the right size tap and drill bit for the screw holes. I made the two pieces that go between the scope and rail from steel stock. I used an inexpensive propane torch to heat the metal and bend it to the shape I needed. Post Extras:       *skyguy* Pooh-Bah Reged: 12/31/08 Loc: Western New York Re: 8" LX200 GPS Counterweight Rail Solution [Re: iverp]       #5136232 - 03/22/12 08:47 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: I found an upright for a wall mounted shelf system. It has the right profile, but I can't remember the brand name. I used only an electric drill and bought the right size tap and drill bit for the screw holes. I made the two pieces that go between the scope and rail from steel stock. I used an inexpensive propane torch to heat the metal and bend it to the shape I needed. NICE .... VERY NICE! Post Extras:       ih8usrnames super member Reged: 08/08/11 Loc: Wheaton Illinois Re: 8" LX200 GPS Counterweight Rail Solution [Re: *skyguy*]       #5136531 - 03/23/12 12:56 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   8020 inc Post Extras:       iverp member Reged: 04/16/10 Re: 8" LX200 GPS Counterweight Rail Solution [Re: iverp]       #5192701 - 04/27/12 12:03 AM Attachment (60 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Well, I finally remembered to go to Menard's and got a picture of the shelving rail I used. It is called "Hidden Slots" and has worked great ever since I got it attached. Note the price today is less than $4. Post Extras:       importcarguy member Reged: 09/27/10 Re: 8" LX200 GPS Counterweight Rail Solution [Re: iverp]       #5246464 - 05/29/12 10:05 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Wow Thats awesome and exactly what I needed! Thanks iverp! I started this post over 2 months ago and have still been debating back and forth how to do it. That's about as cheap as it gets. Post Extras:       KimB sage Reged: 02/28/08 Loc: UK Re: 8" LX200 GPS Counterweight Rail Solution [Re: importcarguy]       #5246795 - 05/30/12 05:21 AM Attachment (46 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I made something similar. I designed my brackets allow the dew shield to fit over them and heater to go under the rail. I posted a full set of instructions on the Yahoo lx90 users group. Offset coutnerweight rail for 8 in lx90.pdf Post Extras:       importcarguy member Reged: 09/27/10 Re: 8" LX200 GPS Counterweight Rail Solution [Re: KimB]       #5250602 - 06/01/12 02:39 PM Attachment (41 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Ok i took iverps suggestion and bought the hidden slots rail at menards. I am ready to heat and bend the steel to match the shape i need. Any ideas on how to bend it and get it right the first time? Did you have any kind of template you followed? Attached are pictures showing my progress so far. Any other suggestions on how to get the pieces bent correctly are appreciated! Post Extras:       budman1961 scholastic sledgehammer Reged: 02/25/11 Loc: Springfield, MO Re: 8" LX200 GPS Counterweight Rail Solution [Re: importcarguy]       #5250736 - 06/01/12 04:33 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Heres one I did a few months ago, I just put this up today. http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/5250654/page/0/view/collapsed/sb/5/o/all/fpart/1 Andy Post Extras:       iverp member Reged: 04/16/10 Re: 8" LX200 GPS Counterweight Rail Solution [Re: importcarguy]       #5254272 - 06/04/12 06:41 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   To be honest, I didn't do anything fancy. I just traced the curve of the front cover, then bent the steel until it was close. The mounting screws had enough "pull" to bring it to final shape and hold it tight. BTW, I chose to bend first then cut to length. I don't have a vice, and had more leverage for the bending this way. Post Extras:       AntMan1 super member Reged: 09/17/07 Loc: Third rock from the Sun Re: 8" LX200 GPS Counterweight Rail Solution [Re: iverp]       #5265380 - 06/10/12 09:49 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Great info here. Much better then spending 140 bucks for the Meade set! Plus i can put that 140 towards a Tele Vue Barlow! Now i love this post! Post Extras:       Pages: 1

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