Sub £15 Guide Rings

[richyrich_one]

Hi

I needed some guide rings for my finder guider project. Dismayed by the price of them and lack of sizes really small enough for a 50mm finder I hit ebay.

I ordered this 80mm OD 10mm wall aluminium tube and the seller does 2 free cuts, so I got him to to 2 x 20mm sections.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151084816572?_trksid=p2060778.m2749.l2649&var=450192266241&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

And these nylon screws

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290933080757?_trksid=p2060778.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

After some drilling and tapping voila! Even with the nylon screws it's really solid. For less than £15 I'm really pleased.

Now for a decent guide camera...

[SnakeyJ]

Nicely done Richy - does make you wonder sometimes what we are willing to pay!

[richyrich_one]

Nicely done Richy - does make you wonder sometimes what we are willing to pay!

Thanks.

I try and avoid paying it as much as possible and use the savings for the stuff you can't make...

[mister_wavey]

Nice idea!

[SkySurfer]

Superb, it feels great when you can build something for this hobby and save a load too......

Well done great idea,

:)

SS

[NEM]

Good idea.  That's just what I need at the moment.  Where did you get the nylon thumbscrews?

Noel

[NEM]

Good idea.  That's just what I need at the moment.  Where did you get the nylon thumbscrews?

Noel

Never mind.  I should have checked ebay before asking!

Noel

[kenny k]

Looks great! Im after doing a DIY jobby myself,i got some pipe fittings similar to hobsey's mod but those rings you got have a nice finnish to them.

Thanks for posting.

Kenny

[richyrich_one]

Looks great! Im after doing a DIY jobby myself,i got some pipe fittings similar to hobsey's mod but those rings you got have a nice finnish to them.

Thanks for posting.

Kenny

Thanks, I saw the pipe fitting mod but was unsure of the rigidity.

[Steve789]

Thanks for posting this thread richyrich_one. It inspired me to make my own guide rings for my 70mm guide scope. I found the link to the nylon screws most useful.

[richyrich_one]

Thanks for posting this thread richyrich_one. It inspired me to make my own guide rings for my 70mm guide scope. I found the link to the nylon screws most useful.

My pleasure, feels good to give something back.

[laser_jock99]

Excellent idea.

[bluemaxroe]

yes, i did exactly this too. ebay for the aluminium and a local diy store for 6 x screws. you do need to have a m6 or m8 tap though.... whivh if you havent is a few quid. i used 100dia alu. and 6mm wall thickness. great job.

[kenny k]

Here's my effort at richyrich_one's mod which will hopefully get me on my way to guiding,I was a bit worried about the rigidity of the nylon screws over metal but it seems quite solid...off to Galloway fo the spring gathering next week so hoping for some clear skies to test out.

Thanks again richyrich_one.

Kenny

[richyrich_one]

Here's my effort at richyrich_one's mod which will hopefully get me on my way to guiding,I was a bit worried about the rigidity of the nylon screws over metal but it seems quite solid...off to Galloway fo the spring gathering next week so hoping for some clear skies to test out.

Thanks again richyrich_one.

Kenny14236914903741635716765.jpg

Looking good!

[Robp]

My screws and metal rings arrived today so will have a go at making my own tonight

Thanks for the idea.

[richyrich_one]

My screws and metal rings arrived today so will have a go at making my own tonight

Thanks for the idea.

No problem. 

Now the tricky bit :-) 

[Gina]

 Thanks for posting that link to nylon screws - could be just what I want for my triple imaging rig

[Robp]

My attempt! Was easier than I thought

I need to get a smaller bar (had to borrow the one from my 200p temporarily) and attach it properly but looks like it will do the business.

Thanks for the guide

[Ruud]

A great idea. Those rings should have a very strong but gentle grip on your finder.

How much do the rings weigh?

[Marc1980]

Great idea. What are the advantages of using rings as opposed to the standard finder bracket?

[richyrich_one]

Great idea. What are the advantages of using rings as opposed to the standard finder bracket?

Having the guide scope as close as possible to the main scope reduces the chance of flexure.

Try moving the standard finder bracket from side to side.

[Marc1980]

Thanks for clarifying. I am going down the finder guider route so will explore the use of rings instead of the bracket. Many thanks.

[Chris]

Great idea, and looks great too!

[richyrich_one]

A great idea. Those rings should have a very strong but gentle grip on your finder.

How much do the rings weigh?

Not wanting to remove them now, a rough calculation from my off-cut, about 235g.