Cheap observing chair?

Next week Lidl supermarkets are selling an adjustable ironing stool that
looks to me as if it might be usable as an observing chair. It's only 13
quid.

http://www.lidl.co.uk/gb/index.nsf/p....Ironing_Stool
--
Jim Easterbrook http://astro.jim-easterbrook.me.uk/
N51.36 W0.25

"Jim Easterbrook" ha scritto nel messaggio
...
Next week Lidl supermarkets are selling an adjustable ironing stool that
looks to me as if it might be usable as an observing chair. It's only 13
quid.

http://www.lidl.co.uk/gb/index.nsf/p....Ironing_Stool
--
Jim Easterbrook http://astro.jim-easterbrook.me.uk/
N51.36 W0.25

It has been offered in Italy too some time ago. It was not defined as
"ironing" but as "adjustable" stool. I missed it for few days...it was only
10 euros...best luck next time?

--
--
Beta Persei
45° 35' N
08° 51' E

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Jim Easterbrook wrote:
Next week Lidl supermarkets are selling an adjustable ironing stool
that looks to me as if it might be usable as an observing chair.

How easy is it to adjust? Does it require unbolting a pin?

Best,
Stephen

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On Thu, 17 Mar 2005 08:32:07 +0000, Jim Easterbrook wrote:

Next week Lidl supermarkets are selling an adjustable ironing stool that
looks to me as if it might be usable as an observing chair. It's only 13
quid.

http://www.lidl.co.uk/gb/index.nsf/p....Ironing_Stool

I bought one of these some time ago and, in my opinion, it is not very
convenient as an observing chair. The main problem I found is that the
seat height is not readily adjustable and the stability is not quite good
enough, Then, I am 77 and have some arthritis.

Norman

I bought a similar chair from a charity shop for a couple of squid.

Downside is the unscrewing of the cross bolt to change height. A simple
rod would do, if one could ensure it stayed securely in place. One
wouldn't want to do a backwards arse-over-tit in the dark!

Upside is that one's feet can't quite reach the ground comfortably when
ithe seat is at the top of its travel suggesting a footrest might be
fun.

Otherwise it works rather well with my refractor on its tall mounting
on grass.

Similar seats with "silent ratchets" are used in CNC workshops by
machine minders.

Check out Yahoo group for more info on this subject. Particularly the
Photos gallery. Though this is primarily a group for DIY constructions
there is enough material there to construct one yourself. No welding
required with a machine-minders seat.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/telesc...serving_chair/

Chris.B

I bought one of these some time ago and, in my opinion, it is not very
convenient as an observing chair. The main problem I found is that the
seat height is not readily adjustable and the stability is not quite good
enough,
Wholeheartedly agree, bought one and it got used once, has resided in the
shed since.

Henry

"Henry" wrote in :


I bought one of these some time ago and, in my opinion, it is not
very convenient as an observing chair. The main problem I found is
that the seat height is not readily adjustable and the stability is
not quite good enough,
Wholeheartedly agree, bought one and it got used once, has resided in
the shed since.

Thanks for the responses. I think I'll give this one a miss.
--
Jim Easterbrook http://astro.jim-easterbrook.me.uk/
N51.36 W0.25

In message , Norman
Silverstone writes
, Then, I am 77 and have some arthritis.

Forgive me for asking, but what do you use for comfortable viewing. My
wife has only recently taken up astronomy. She is only a few years
younger and also has arthritis. She is going down the 'binocular route'
and I have built her one of those parallelogram (sp?) mounts. But, since
she has trouble with her neck, looking up is a problem. Th only thing I
can think of is something like a rocking chair, but with fixed
positions. That way she can climb into it, and then recline in a stately
manner to the correct angle. Most of the deck chair recliners are too
low for her to get into - or more to the point, get out of :-)

Any thoughts?
Thanks.
--
ChrisP

ChrisP wrote:

younger and also has arthritis. She is going down the 'binocular route'
and I have built her one of those parallelogram (sp?) mounts. But, since
she has trouble with her neck, looking up is a problem. Th only thing I


What about a Sky-Mirror : http://www.telescopehouse.co.uk/page...3wp&action=lnk

(If that link gets broken just google for sky-mirror). It's quite
expensive, but if you can build a parallelogram mount you can
probably build one of these, too.

-adrian

Originally Posted by ChrisP

In message , Norman
Silverstone writes
, Then, I am 77 and have some arthritis.

Forgive me for asking, but what do you use for comfortable viewing. My
wife has only recently taken up astronomy. She is only a few years
younger and also has arthritis. She is going down the 'binocular route'
and I have built her one of those parallelogram (sp?) mounts. But, since
she has trouble with her neck, looking up is a problem. Th only thing I
can think of is something like a rocking chair, but with fixed
positions. That way she can climb into it, and then recline in a stately
manner to the correct angle. Most of the deck chair recliners are too
low for her to get into - or more to the point, get out of :-)

Any thoughts?
Thanks.
--
ChrisP

There's no reason why a comfortable deck lounger can't be built into a large enough dobsonian mount. That way she can sit back with her binos and you can swing and tilt her into position to view different objects! (On the other hand, that's probably no help whatsoever!)

On a more serious note, the sky mirror thing is a great idea, and I don't think the mirror needs to be optically perfect. Try it with a mirror from around the house; if it works then you can quite easily build something more suitable.