How hard can it be?

[+bryand]

I bought a genuine Berlebach UNI 29C for use with my BigBins.  The rising column is useful for binoculars.

I subsequently got another Berlebach UNI tripod top to take my iOptron  AZ Mount Pro. This was extended with an 8” riser so my refractor would go vertical, and the spread stopper was then tweaked so I could use the scope at near-horizontal elevations without needing a step to stand on.

 

The original idea was to swap the legs between the two tops so one tripod did dual duty.  I quickly realised this was much too much of a faff to be worth doing. Which left the BigBins rather out in the cold.  I had the tripod top, but no legs for it.  So how hard can it be to make a set of legs for a Berlebach tripod?

 

The first decision was that the legs didn’t need to be extendable and they could be a little skinnier than the Berlebach originals, which served as templates. 

B&Q obliged with some sticks, duly cut to size.  I had to sort through their stock to find three lengths of straight-grained, knot-free and unwarped spruce, but eventually I found what I needed.

Ebay supplied the coach bolts and clamping levers.  The original Berlebach leg spreader system – now redundant on the original UNI – was transferred to the new legs and works perfectly.

Total cost was a tad under £38. 

[+Streetbob]

That’s impressive. And quite a saving.

[+Glafnazur]

That looks great Bryan, nice one 👍

[+RonC]

Nice work Bryan! 👍

[+Bino-viewer]

>>>The original idea was to swap the legs between the two tops so one tripod did dual duty.  I quickly realised this was much too much of a faff to be worth doing<<<

 

Been there, done that Bryan. That would be make too easy for us in this crazy hobby if they made something like that an easy swap over !! 😆

And its an awful job changing the top plates over. I have quite a collection of them now....

But thankfully i managed to source another used Berlebach at a nice price.

I'd also say my main 'Planet' tripod is one of my better astro purchases, and i brought it used in mint condition at less than half the price of a new one.