Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums Cloudy Nights - Official Forums of the 2009 International Year of Astronomy Privacy Policy | Please read our Terms of Service | Signup and Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu.... uh, User   You are not logged in. [Login] Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online FAQ · Calendar Equipment Discussions >> Binoculars Previous   Index   Next   Flat   Tom Andrews professor emeritus Reged: 01/25/07 Posts: 609 Loc: Homebase - Albuquerque, NM; c... Another inexpensive, homebuilt parallelogram       05/10/08 02:17 PM Attachment (55 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote   Quick Reply:   I've been experimenting with lightweight and simple DIY ideas for a P-mount. (My last endeavor was the 3/4" aluminum square tubing which is working very well.) I found this wood at Home Depot which is marketed as "hardwood" though it didn't seem very hard while drilling through it. It was very simple to build and works great. My Obie 10x60's only weigh 3.5 lbs including L adapter and the wood is bowing slightly so this setup would not work for larger binos. However, it one were to double up on both horizontal pieces, it could hold more. The wood is 1"x1"x36" (measures a true 1") and are $2.70 each. The speaker stand I was able to get locally for $39.00. Hardware includes nine 1/4"-20x2-1/2" bolts, washers, nylon washers and nylock nuts. I also used 1/4"x1" steel spacers as sleeves in each bolt hole to protect the wood. I used some 1" steel strap where the P-mount attaches to the speaker stand for extra strength and stability. Counterweights are two 2.5 lb. barbell weights from Walmart ($1.87 each) hanging on a 2-foot piece of that 3/4" aluminum square tubing with squeeze clamps holding them in place. (I mounted the tubing in a quick-disconnect way because I have to store the whole setup after each use in a small compartment of our motorhome. This goes for the P-mount on the speaker stand as well.) I mounted a piece of 1" steel strap to the bottom of the vertical mount to hold the magnetized digital level. (The level is for the Push-To system which works very well with binoculars.) I hope that this will offer an alternative for those like me who don't have the money to buy the more expensive manufactured mounts. Pictures to follow. Edit: I meant to give credit to Rod Nabholz as I got this idea from his P-mount. -------------------- Tom The Secret To Life: Focus on what you have, not on what you don't; Focus on what you can do, not on what you can't. Edited by Tom Andrews (05/10/08 04:14 PM) Post Extras       Entire thread Subject Posted by Posted on Another inexpensive, homebuilt parallelogram Tom Andrews 05/10/08 02:17 PM Re: Another inexpensive, homebuilt parallelogram BobinKy   05/10/08 03:25 PM Re: Another inexpensive, homebuilt parallelogram Tom Andrews   05/10/08 04:10 PM Re: Another inexpensive, homebuilt parallelogram jmcdonald   05/10/08 03:42 PM Re: Another inexpensive, homebuilt parallelogram Tom Andrews   05/12/08 01:16 AM Re: Another inexpensive, homebuilt parallelogram Tom Andrews   05/12/08 01:17 AM Re: Another inexpensive, homebuilt parallelogram Tom Andrews   05/12/08 01:19 AM Re: Another inexpensive, homebuilt parallelogram Tom Andrews   05/12/08 01:22 AM Re: Another inexpensive, homebuilt parallelogram Tom Andrews   05/12/08 01:25 AM Re: Another inexpensive, homebuilt parallelogram Tom Andrews   05/12/08 01:28 AM Re: Another inexpensive, homebuilt parallelogram Tom Andrews   05/15/08 01:03 AM Re: Another inexpensive, homebuilt parallelogram Tom Andrews   05/15/08 01:04 AM Re: Another inexpensive, homebuilt parallelogram Tom Andrews   05/15/08 01:06 AM Re: Another inexpensive, homebuilt parallelogram Tom Andrews   05/15/08 01:07 AM Re: Another inexpensive, homebuilt parallelogram Tom Andrews   05/15/08 01:09 AM Re: Another inexpensive, homebuilt parallelogram Tom Andrews   05/10/08 04:03 PM Re: Another inexpensive, homebuilt parallelogram Tom Andrews   05/10/08 02:18 PM Re: Another inexpensive, homebuilt parallelogram Tom Andrews   05/10/08 02:19 PM Re: Another inexpensive, homebuilt parallelogram Tom Andrews   05/10/08 02:20 PM Re: Another inexpensive, homebuilt parallelogram Tom Andrews   05/10/08 02:21 PM Extra information 9 registered and 18 anonymous users are browsing this forum. 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