Ring support for camera, finished!

Hi all,
Well, I finished the support setup for my AT8RC. I now have the updated 3 ring support for the guide camera and scope as well as the support ring for the FLI ML8300.

I had reported that I seemed to be having a bit of sag with the Feathertouch focuser. You could grab the camera and move it and see the movement, as if there was a little play in the focuser. It was enough to cause some flexure, I was certain.

So, I decided to try to find a solution, short of buying a $700 replacement 3" focuser. The 3 ring support system for the guide setup worked very well. SO, I thought, why not for the imaging scope? I would have to make a longer dovetail and a smaller one to mount to it for the ADM 75mm ring. I made the two dovetails, one really that I cut in two making it easier to make from 3/4" x 4" 6061 Aluminum plate. I used two 6mm Allen screws to bolt the smaller to the larger plate, with a lot of overlapping plate surface to make it more solid.

The results are really good. If I loosen the ring screws, you can move the camera and filter wheel easily. Tighten the screws and it is [COLOR="Red"]VERY[/COLOR] rigid! The difference is amazing really. It is as if there was a much larger focuser with a lot of support.

There was some concern that focusing would be an issue. But, I find that if I do not tighten the 3 screws very tight, the focuser will still mover with the focus motor. If I tighten a bit more, then it does not want to move. But just loosening the top screw slightly allows it to move again without touching the other two. Then a simple tightening of the upper screw slightly and it is locked again. This should allow me to find a setting that will allow focus and still hold the camera rigidly as it does not require the screws to be very tight to hold it steady.

Here is one shot of the whole setup.

Attached Image:

Then here is a close up of the rear support only, showing it more clearly.

I will try to get out to test it when and if the rain stops. We are suppose to have about a week of rain.

The cost of the new support, including the ring, riser blocks with shipping and aluminum for the plate, was $74. Much cheaper than a new 3" FT focuser, about 10%.

Attached Image:

Look like it is solid. Let us know how well it works, I am dying to try my AT10RC, but nothing but rain, rain and more rain!!

How do you like the performance of your AT8RC? I've seen some images from others and the stars look pretty good and they say the AT feild flattner will work on the ATRC scopes.

Thanks

Sam