I have an ST-80 that I want to use as a finder on a big Dob, but I would like to mount it to one of the truss tubes instead of the secondary cage as it could be used feet on the ground and wouldnt require so much counterweight. Just wondering if anyone has devised a good method of doing this. Thanks.
ST-80 as finder on big Dob
Started by vbert, 06/05/2003 06:27PM
Posted 06/05/2003 06:27PM
Opening Post
Posted 06/06/2003 04:12AM
#1
I use an Orion Short Tube 90 on a 24-inch Starmaster. I made a mount using wood and two scope rings.
The mount attaches to the rocker box in two places (top of the box and bottom of the box) and those are the only two places the mount touches the box. I used a bracket at the top and a small Quick Grip clamp at the bottom. I did not need to modify the rocker box. The portion of the mount with the ST90 cantilevers from the rocker box. By happy accident, the contraption is self balanced.
The wood is a piece of 3/4-inch plywood 33 inches long and 2-1/2 inches wide. That rests on two small blocks of wood (attached to the plywood), which are what actually touches the rocker box.
I am about to make Version 2 using higher-quality piece of 2x2 hardwood (to reduce the give) that is a little longer (so the eyepiece can be a little higher). I will also use cradle rings so I can easily remove the ST90 for other uses. I may also use a little felt where the mount touches the rocker box.
Actually, I'm going to try mounting the cradle rings on a rail on the 2x2 so I can change the position of the ST90 depending on whether the main scope is pointed straight up.
Also I plan to improve the way the mount attaches to the rocker box so that I have a failsafe attachment for the bottom of the rocker box. Another goal is to keep the thing self balanced.
Gerry
State College, Pa.
The mount attaches to the rocker box in two places (top of the box and bottom of the box) and those are the only two places the mount touches the box. I used a bracket at the top and a small Quick Grip clamp at the bottom. I did not need to modify the rocker box. The portion of the mount with the ST90 cantilevers from the rocker box. By happy accident, the contraption is self balanced.
The wood is a piece of 3/4-inch plywood 33 inches long and 2-1/2 inches wide. That rests on two small blocks of wood (attached to the plywood), which are what actually touches the rocker box.
I am about to make Version 2 using higher-quality piece of 2x2 hardwood (to reduce the give) that is a little longer (so the eyepiece can be a little higher). I will also use cradle rings so I can easily remove the ST90 for other uses. I may also use a little felt where the mount touches the rocker box.
Actually, I'm going to try mounting the cradle rings on a rail on the 2x2 so I can change the position of the ST90 depending on whether the main scope is pointed straight up.
Also I plan to improve the way the mount attaches to the rocker box so that I have a failsafe attachment for the bottom of the rocker box. Another goal is to keep the thing self balanced.
Gerry
State College, Pa.
Funding Member
