Simple Solutions for Common Problems

Many who have been involved in amateur astronomy have, over time, come
up with relatively simple, homemade solutions for common problems.
This thread provides an opportunity to share your solutions with
others.

I'll start with very simple one:

Some tripods don't come with shelves. For others a shelf is an option
for which one is charged an additional fee. I own tripods that fit
into each of the above categories. In the latter category the added
fee was in my opinion too much to justify, especially when I felt I
could easily build a better (larger) shelf myself.

My solution: I set up the tripod, made measurements to determine how
large of a circular shelf could be fitted and placed on the tripod's
bracing, and cut out a disk of appropriate diameter from 1/2 inch
plywood. A pair of holes were drilled near the outer edge of the
plywood disk above each of the three tripod leg braces. I used pieces
of leather cut from a leather shoestring to attach the shelf to the
tripod (utilizing the drilled holes). On one of my shelves I added a
central machine screw that fits through a central hole in the center
of the tripod's bracing. A couple of washers and a wing nut are added
from the bottom side of the shelf. The final step was painting the
shelves.

Circular shelves can be made with a larger surface area than the
triangular shelves that are available with many tripods. I have no
need for a raised border (can get in the way of large objects), nor
for holes drilled for eyepieces (a smaller object could fall through a
larger hole). I prefer a solid, flat shelf that can be used for
anything from a temporary support for counterweights, finders, and
diagonals through longer term support for eyepieces, flashlights,
clipboards, binoculars, etc.

So what kinds of simple solutions have others found for common
problems?

Willie R. Meghar

Painting black surfaces WHITE, so I can see 'em without having to use
a flashlight. Step ladder, boxes, shelving (eyepieces & stuff
silhouette nicely against white).

Willie R. Meghar wrote:
Many who have been involved in amateur astronomy have, over time, come
up with relatively simple, homemade solutions for common problems.
This thread provides an opportunity to share your solutions with
others.

....

So what kinds of simple solutions have others found for common
problems?

Willie R. Meghar

=============
- Dale Gombert (SkySea at aol.com)
122.38W, 47.58N, W. Seattle, WA
http://flavorj.com/~skysea

Willie R. Meghar wrote:
Many who have been involved in amateur astronomy have, over time, come
up with relatively simple, homemade solutions for common problems.
This thread provides an opportunity to share your solutions with
others.




So what kinds of simple solutions have others found for common
problems?

Willie R. Meghar

I have the Celstar C8 which uses a Wedgepod. Very inconvenient to polar
align so I modified it with some easy to perform operations. I included
an accessory tray also. You can see it he

http://hometown.aol.com/nlpjp2/index2.htm

Regards,
Jerry Pool

Added a couple of pneumatic wheels to the dob base of my 12.5"
reflector. Now I can tilt the scope and base back onto the wheels to
easily move it around.

Willie R. Meghar wrote:
This thread provides an opportunity to share your solutions with
others.

A Roscolux No. 120 gel sheet. Converts any white light source
(flashlights, computer screens, headlamps, car headlights) to
astro-friendly redlight. Next to bungie cords and heavy rubber bands,
one of the best jack knife type astronomy products. Available at local
theatrical supply stores for $6-$9. - Canopus56

Tying stuff up with romex, that is, the electrical cable used in house
wiring. My old locked angle Celestron tripod came with a BORB to keep
it folded up, but this wore out many years ago. I ran through a number
of less than perfect things to tie it up until I hit on the electrical
cable... it holds it's shape, it isn't springy, and it has a padded
covering.
Marty

Willie R. Meghar wrote:

So what kinds of simple solutions have others found for common
problems?

Willie R. Meghar

A light fold out lever to add torque to a Dob when it's 'in the hole'.

Willie R. Meghar wrote:

So what kinds of simple solutions have others found for common
problems?

Willie R. Meghar

A light fold out lever to add torque to a Dob when it's 'in the hole'.

jc