Counterbalance issues...

Hi all,
please share your experience for best way to counterbalance a 14.5" NightSky Scope. I have been at war with my scope for years now trying to find a better method than a Canon small digital camera case, filled with rocks and slung off the back rockerbox black handle. it has worked ok...but I know there are better commercial and more permanent methods. Please share your experiences and any websites selling commercial products for fixing this problem. I figured I only need 1-3 lbs of weight to use 35Pan, 26 and 31 Nagler, 17 Ethos etc. without weight problems. Thank You in advance for any suggestions!
Clear Skies! Don.

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Here is another image of the mirror cell...

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Any reason you cannot raise the bearings?
It is always better, if possible, to balance it without counterweights.

Alex

I added springs to my former Discovery 12.5" dob, worked very well. The only imbalance after that was when the scope was near horizontal. I was using 2" naglers, 50mm optical finder, and Telrad. The spring setup was similar to the Orion XT dobs.

Good Luck
john

I make these bags for the star master that can hold how ever much lead shot as is required. Something like this would work well for you.
Another answer is welding magnets that are available in a few sizes and will just click right onto the ladder of the mirror cell. I have used these with some scope. http://www.toolprice.com/category/welding.weldingmagnets/

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http://www.astromart.com/forums/viewpost.asp?forum_post_id=565948&poll_id=&news_id=&page=4

http://www.astromart.com/forums/viewpost.asp?forum_post_id=205806&poll_id=&news_id=&page=9

John