19 replies to this topic

[Tomcatf14]

Looking for ideals to put wheels under 10" dob for easy moving and to raise it up a little. Don't want to mount anything to original base, was thinking maybe make something with 3 holes in it for original base to sit in. Sky-watcher 250p. Would 3 wheels be enough if your on uneven ground.

[sevenofnine]

This tire dolly could work. It's strong with 4 locking wheels. Good luck! 

 

https://www.amazon.c...59&sr=8-33&th=1.

[Jon Isaacs]

Looking for ideals to put wheels under 10" dob for easy moving and to raise it up a little. Don't want to mount anything to original base, was thinking maybe make something with 3 holes in it for original base to sit in. Sky-watcher 250p. Would 3 wheels be enough if your on uneven ground.

 

Putting wheels under a Dob will almost certainly result in a scope that is not as stable, more prone to wobble... 

 

A hand truck works nicely for moving the scope.. I didn't have anyone to take the photo so I just leaned the hand truck on a chair.

 

 

Jon

[DSO Viewer AZ]

Here’s my 10”. I built the wheeled base and have upgraded the wheels to a 4” (harbor freight) with locks that allow me to “lock it down”, works great. I went with slightly larger wheels than what is shown here to allow me to push the scope over the cracks in the sidewalks, and not rattle to scope too much. Orion actually had this first, but was a little pricey for what it was. The base of the Dob was not modified in any way, the wheeled base has holes that align with the dobs feet. When I go to dark skies I do not take the wheeled base, it’s just to move around my house. I love it. Wish I could do the same for my 18” but it would not fit through the door.

[OBXNC]

 

 

Here’s my 10”. I built the wheeled base and have upgraded the wheels to a 4” (harbor freight) with locks that allow me to “lock it down”, works great. I went with slightly larger wheels than what is shown here to allow me to push the scope over the cracks in the sidewalks, and not rattle to scope too much. Orion actually had this first, but was a little pricey for what it was. The base of the Dob was not modified in any way, the wheeled base has holes that align with the dobs feet. When I go to dark skies I do not take the wheeled base, it’s just to move around my house. I love it. Wish I could do the same for my 18” but it would not fit through the door.

 

Do you have any more pictures of the build process?  I  would loke that on my 10 inch ES.

[Waynosworld]

For a 10" dob a hand truck is likely the best option, I prefer the type with larger wheels one needs air to fill them, they are more stable on rough surfaces like dirt as I observe from my garden.

 

 

Keep in mind that I put a rubber bumper on my tube assembly where it rests against the hand truck, and I put a stick of wood on the base to keep the dob from rolling sideways on the hand truck.

 

 

[cuzimthedad]

Member aeajr has a nice set-up so maybe he will chime in or you can pm him and ask for a couple pix.

[Tomcatf14]

Thanks everyone, did see the Orion one on you tube and think I can make that.

[DSO Viewer AZ]

Do you have any more pictures of the build process?  I  would loke that on my 10 inch ES.

Here is the original Orion version. For good inspiration.

https://youtu.be/EON...EorI7cII9tqHQKJ

 

Here is mine as of today. Not quite as fancy, but years old and well used. 

The most important part is the hole locations. I took the bottom off the XT-10 for a template, then made this base about 3” bigger. Simply screwed the wheels to the bottom with upgraded screws. And there it is. Took a Sunday afternoon to do from scratch. One piece of solid 3/4” plywood, a bit of cutting to shape, dill out the foot holes, paint, and screw on the tires you like to the bottom on corners.

 

Please note. This is not for off road. Strictly for sidewalks and pool deck. For my application it is on pool decking, which is where I do my home viewing. I moved it on grass and it became very unstable. The hand trucks are much better for that application.

[Jon Isaacs]

For a 10" dob a hand truck is likely the best option, I prefer the type with larger wheels one needs air to fill them, they are more stable on rough surfaces like dirt as I observe from my garden.

 

 

 

Ideally, I would use a hand truck with pneumatic tires like yours but the one I have works well enough.

 

I do not see a platform with wheels as being sufficiently stable for use at higher magnifications.. I really want my scope right on solid ground..  If the platform had jacking screws with large pads to stabilize the mount, it could work but on the wheels, it would limit the stability. This EQ Platform has jacking screws and rests on pads.. It is solid.

 

 

Jon

 

[DSO Viewer AZ]

 

 

Ideally, I would use a hand truck with pneumatic tires like yours but the one I have works well enough.

 

I do not see a platform with wheels as being sufficiently stable for use at higher magnifications.. I really want my scope right on solid ground..  If the platform had jacking screws with large pads to stabilize the mount, it could work but on the wheels, it would limit the stability. This EQ Platform has jacking screws and rests on pads.. It is solid.

 

 

 

Jon

 

Hey Jon, I would have to disagree with this point. Just this morning on Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars I was viewing at 508x solid as a rock. The key is the 4”+ tires with locks built into them. If the wheels did not have locks I would agree. But with locks engaged, solid as a rock. I looked into jacking screws, but found I was just thinking too hard. It was already solid enough. This really was just to make my scope a true grab and go.  It takes less than a minute or two to wheel it from its dedicated shed to my favorite viewing spot. Works for my current application. May not work for everyone, and if I moved somewhere else it might not work there. For example, on my dark sky deck, there is just no need, and so I leave it at home.

 

Great looking scope by the way! “Love the finder”! What size is that?

[krishnak]

Hi, I use the platform trolley to take my dob to the terrace in the lift/elevator. There is a gap which the trolley must cross to enter the lift. The front two wheels cross over first and then the back two wheels by using the handle. However, there is still one flight of steps where I carry the dob in two parts. I use straps to carry the tube and usually use help from another person on the steps. I have used a wooden board to increase the width a bit than the platform width so that the dob base sits comfortably with some clearance. The next platform trolley size was too big and would have issues fitting in the lift.

The trolley also help me to cross a small step easily so that I can take the dob to the balcony for quick views.

 

 

[GrassLakeRon]

One 2x10 and 3 casters.

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[Jon Isaacs]

 

Hey Jon, I would have to disagree with this point. Just this morning on Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars I was viewing at 508x solid as a rock. The key is the 4”+ tires with locks built into them. If the wheels did not have locks I would agree. But with locks engaged, solid as a rock. I looked into jacking screws, but found I was just thinking too hard. It was already solid enough. This really was just to make my scope a true grab and go.  It takes less than a minute or two to wheel it from its dedicated shed to my favorite viewing spot. Works for my current application. May not work for everyone, and if I moved somewhere else it might not work there. For example, on my dark sky deck, there is just no need, and so I leave it at home.

 

 

Great looking scope by the way! “Love the finder”! What size is that?

 

 

I just use the hand truck, roll it out.. It is super fast.  I have to roll it up and over a door sill that is 1.5 inches, 4 inch wheels wouldn't be so great.  Hand trucks are very effective for moving heavy objects and then I can set the scope on the ground where it is rock solid.. 

 

The finder is an Orion 70mm Multi-Use finder that was modified by swapping the stock objective for a 70mm F/4.5 Carton AirSpaced objective.  

 

Here is a write up:
 

https://www.cloudyni...r-meets-carton/

 

That was 6 years ago.. The latest version is a Carton 70mm F/4.5 Air spaced objective mated to a Astro-Tech 50mm finder body.. It is a collaboration between me and Diego (thecelloronin)  The idea was mine but Diego did all the work including the 3D printing. The latest version is much better.. It's better balanced, has a nice helical focuser, full aperture RACI prism diagonal.

 

 

Jon

[DSO Viewer AZ]

That is a very cool write up on the finder / wide field scope. I tried something like that a while back but required a lot of weight on the back for balance and threw off functionality on my 10”. Might try on the 18” now though. Still love the idea.

 

Back to the base, I have a couple door sills as well. There is a foot under the lip trick that works well. For the once in a while I have to go through. But that is not that often. In the beginning I built a very small “wheel chair ramp” but between the dogs and the boss lady, it did not become permanent.  If I had to cross that threshold every time I might go with the hand truck more often. I do have a handy travel hand truck that folds down to an extremely small package size. This lets me pack it easily and go to almost anywhere. A tool for every need so to speak.

[topomountain]

 

I just use the hand truck, roll it out.. It is super fast.  I have to roll it up and over a door sill that is 1.5 inches, 4 inch wheels wouldn't be so great.  Hand trucks are very effective for moving heavy objects and then I can set the scope on the ground where it is rock solid.. 

 

The finder is an Orion 70mm Multi-Use finder that was modified by swapping the stock objective for a 70mm F/4.5 Carton AirSpaced objective.  

 

Here is a write up:
 

https://www.cloudyni...r-meets-carton/

 

That was 6 years ago.. The latest version is a Carton 70mm F/4.5 Air spaced objective mated to a Astro-Tech 50mm finder body.. It is a collaboration between me and Diego (thecelloronin)  The idea was mine but Diego did all the work including the 3D printing. The latest version is much better.. It's better balanced, has a nice helical focuser, full aperture RACI prism diagonal.

 

 

 

Jon

 

i have one of these objectives in cell s well, and i read your older post some time ago, wondering how it works out now and are you using it, how does it stand up next to an st80?

 

i dont know if i would use it as a scope or just a finder

 

i also have the orion 50, the at50 and an old celestron vixen 50

[OBXNC]

Has anyone tried this setup from Apertura?  I am considering it for my ES10.

 

https://www.highpoin...zRoC8kkQAvD_BwE

[epee]

I recommend 4 wheels for stability, and 5"-diameter wheels for smooth rolling; front wheels rotating and locking, rear wheels fixed. Drill the platform with holes to accept the groundboard feet and center bolt in order to prevent the telescope from vibrating off the platform.

All wheels rotating will require fighting the cart wanting to spin rather than push or pull.

 

Edited by epee, 18 August 2024 - 08:19 AM.

[Oberon]

And now for something completely different…

https://youtu.be/P0L...Z58WnibksGTYjc5

 

CN Thread here…

Edited by Oberon, 18 August 2024 - 08:34 PM.

[Mike Q]

Has anyone tried this setup from Apertura?  I am considering it for my ES10.

 

https://www.highpoin...zRoC8kkQAvD_BwE

That would be great on concrete, but not so much on grass