Making your own dew shield

[athornett]

Why pay £100 for a dew shield when so easy to make your own?

There are many ways of doing it but here is what I did - makes a rigid lightweight customised dew shield

http://www.atm.me.uk/html/making_dew_shield_4-8-13_-andy-.html

Andy

[JamesF]

Looks good to me My favourite home-made one however is this

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/191699-diy-wooden-dew-shield/

James

[baggywrinkle]

Made mine from a camping mat and double sided velcro..A$4

[athornett]

James, Thanks for the link to http://stargazerslou...den-dew-shield/

I like it too! I wonder what the weight is, being made out of veneered ply? Certainly for my dobs, weight is very important - every kg at top has to be counter-balanced with 4 or 5kg at bottom (due to differences in distance from fulcrum) - I have a large collection of various magnetic weights!! Actually on that point, I have found the magnetic strips you buy from Wilkos to put tools on wall in garage make great magnetic weights - sold in packs of three of different sizes - just like the scales in the kitchen can choose combinations to balance most things. Only problem is I now need 2 packs, what with Telrad, 2 inch Explore Scientific eyepeices (weigh a ton) and dew shield on top!

Andy

[athornett]

Hi Baggy (or Wrinkle?)

I think you are probably right! Keep it simple, light and cheap.

Andy

[JamesF]

I'm finding similar problems with my own dob as I've moved to the more expensive end of the market with eyepieces. I am going to have to start thinking about counterweights soon.

James

[athornett]

I am already up to 10kg+ counter weights some times on my Dob!

Andy

[baggywrinkle]

A pic of my one on the 6SE.

I found my ED80 hardly ever dewed up, but that could well change when I am back in the UK.

[athornett]

Very good - do you use Velcro?

Andy

[IanL]

Everyone knows you should use a yoga mat not a camping mat. Helps you be more at one with the universe.

Seriously though, they sell foam mats in black if you're buying from new. They're still a bit on the shiny side generally though and have had reflection problems with them in the past so probably worth getting some flocking material at the same time.

[Wyvern]

...."yoga mat, not a camping mat"..... oh how we laughed on the way to Casualty!!!.... One wonders if your observatory is set up per Feng Shui principles!

[tich]

I've made one using a camping mat for my 250P last week, I also did the same for my 200P & stuck some velcro on both.

[baggywrinkle]

Very good - do you use Velcro?

Andy

I used velcro tabs (3M) that are used for picture hanging.

[JG777]

Mmmn time to destroy an old camping mat.....