Daz Type-R Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 Well these have been a long time coming but I have eventually pulled my finger out and got about sorting them out. First up I have enlisted the help of our very own metal bender Graham (http://www.astrotecuk.co.uk) to fashion me a more advanced sort of counter weight system. My current counter weight system kept dropping off due to the dew so this should be much better. Its currently on plan B at the moment as plan A did not quite go to plan but I'm hoping plan B is not too long in coming. Some pictures of plan A..... Thanks a lot Graham, much appreciated. Next up, flocking!!!! (yeah I know, about 12 months behind everyone else)..... Enlisted the help of Martyn (Baz) and his child free environment for this one, as I didn't fancy doing this with the "help" of my 4 year old. Got a few rolls of DC-Fix from Wilkos, set about stripping the scope down and thought while the primary is out we may as well give that a clean, everything went great and I`m shocked at how dark the OTA is now its flocked. Hers some before and after pictures.... OTA in bits. Before and after of the primary.... And before, during and after the flocking... Again, massive thanks to Baz for all his help (and tools), I would of struggled to do such a great job by myself unless I went out and bought the right kit before hand. So that's me sorted now, can't think what else to do to the dob, bring on the dark skies!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweedledee Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 That all looks brilliant. The flocking makes a fantastic difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Bino-viewer Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 Nice work Darren. Let us know how it performs when you get chance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnnyaardvark Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 Love the counter weight system. Very nice Daz! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+RonC Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 Good jobs well done Darren, looks the 'biz' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cazz Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 Very nice Daz, well worth the wait ;-) That counter weight system is very clever, looking forward to seeing it in use. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catman161 Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 Good stuff Daz (and Martyn) really nicely done. I like the counter weight system, very nice indeed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz Type-R Posted July 22, 2014 Author Share Posted July 22, 2014 Thanks all. Like I say, big shout goes out to Graham and Martyn, they have helped loads in the design, making and flocking / cleaning side of things. The counter weight system does not quite work yet, that was plan A's effort, Graham is currently rustling up Plan B, so watch this space. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAZ Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 Turned out alright didn't it. You can certainly see the difference that flocking makes. Nice mods there Daz. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teslar Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 Excellent summer project there Daz I'm about to embark on mirror cleaning myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz Type-R Posted July 30, 2014 Author Share Posted July 30, 2014 Ok guys and gals, bear with me on this one. If I was to remove the square in pencil in the picture below, from my dob base, would it have any adverse effect on the strength of the base? Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Ibbo Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 I would say very little if any Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz Type-R Posted July 30, 2014 Author Share Posted July 30, 2014 Marvellous. I thought that but thought it best to check. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAZ Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 What you planning Daz? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz Type-R Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 Below is a picture of PLAN B for the counter weight system, as plan A above did not work. Trouble is that still did not work, I was about to give up when I realised I was being an idiot and the weight needs to be below the OTA not on top. So last night I twisted it round and it works great, trouble is now, I can only get to 82 degrees before the counter weight hits the dob board, I know it's going to be rare I am observing at 82 degrees plus but I wanted full motion of the dob. So by cutting a whole in the dob board, when at 82 degrees plus, the weight will fit through the hole. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+RonC Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Looks a good idea Daz! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philjay Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Sorry Daz but the counterweight is not in keeping with this being the highest tech dob around, you need a motor drive on it so you can adjust the balance from the eyepiece :-) :-) Nice job mate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cazz Posted August 2, 2014 Share Posted August 2, 2014 Sorry Daz but the counterweight is not in keeping with this being the highest tech dob around, you need a motor drive on it so you can adjust the balance from the eyepiece :-) :-) Nice job mate Lol, but I kinda agree ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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