Dave_D

almost 100% sure they said it was fibre bonded...

So, the missus has decided that getting the obsy done is now one of the priorities (she's good like that). Anyway, we recently had the back concreted which is at least 5 inches thick. Would bolting down a metal pier be advisable? Although obviously preferable, I don't really want to cut a hole in the concrete to make a massive foundation block. There will be an AZ EQ6 Pro carrying a 10" newt.

nanoCAD v5 which is free or onShape. both really good, i did 10+ years on autocad and nanocad is the only one i've found that i was happy with for quick and easy 2D stuff

yep thats what i did with mine

Just bought a Synscan Wifi module and I'm having problems, using the app on my phone works just fine... This is my setup: Mele Quieter3 mounted on my AZ EQ6-Pro which connects to my home network via wifi. When using a lynx cable to connect from the Mele to the mount, this works just fine. I want to remove the Lynx cable and use the Synscan Wifi but can't figure out how to connect to the Synscan Wifi module but still have the Mele connect to my network so I can RDP into it. Has anyone been down this path and can tell me what needs doing? Am I correct to assume I need to use the 'Station Mode' and if so, how do I configure it?

430 Grade Brushed Stainless Steel FLAT BAR Metal Strip Trim - 0.9mm off ebay

All done and running off a single 12v input, controlled over bluetooth from my losmandy mounted Mele Quieter3 rather pleased with this incarnation. Is tekkydave still active on here btw? MOV_0972.mp4

Version 3 autofocuser... the electronics have now been on 3 different focusers over the past 5 years, now reworked to fit my low profile focuser. Probably could be a little (but not much) more compact, but the internals contains a 12v-5v step down board, Arduino Nano, Bluetooth module and stepper driver (the power board is on the other side of the insert). Only needs a single 12v power input and uses the marvellous AAF2 autofocuser code by tekkydave (as i wanted Ascom and Bluetooth control to free up a USB port). The bracket holding the autofocuser to the focuser body isn't quite right, just printing a new version as the main box hits the scope tube, but hey, that's the design process for you. Totally designed in onshape which I'm starting to REALLY like as it can do things OpenSCAD can't easily... forgot i'd had my printer using rafts so the end of the box is a bit crappy but hey ho...

Not sure if this has been asked before, but has anyone seen an upgrade with finer thread and no slop for this?

As usual, up to no good with my printer.... Was previously polar aligning with my 60mm F5 Primaluce guidescope so stepping to a 30mm F4 will give a wider field, but y'know... have to play. Printed adaptor houses an ASI120MC-S with a svbony 30mm F4 lens going into sharpcap but as it's all multifunctional, used as a normal planetary camera as well. OpenSCAD script if anyone wants it. Printed in 2 pieces and bolted together with a M5 low profile bolt (cause i dont like supports) $fn=200; screw_offset=19.5; module holder() { difference() { difference() { translate([0,0,-5]) cylinder(h=33,d1=73,d2=73, false); cylinder(h=28,d1=63,d2=63, false); } translate([screw_offset,screw_offset,-50]) cylinder(h=100,d1=4.5,d2=4.5, false); translate([-screw_offset,screw_offset,-50]) cylinder(h=100,d1=4.5,d2=4.5, false); translate([screw_offset,-screw_offset,-50]) cylinder(h=100,d1=4.5,d2=4.5, false); translate([-screw_offset,-screw_offset,-50]) cylinder(h=100,d1=4.5,d2=4.5, false); translate([0,0,-50]) cylinder(h=100,d1=5,d2=5, false); translate([0,0,-2.5]) cylinder(h=100,d1=10,d2=10, false); translate([0,-10,0]) cube(size = [50,20,17], center = false); } } module insert() { difference() { union() { difference() { cylinder(h=18,d1=34.5,d2=34.5, false); cylinder(h=14,d1=15,d2=15, false); } translate([0,0,18]) cylinder(h=10,d1=44.5,d2=44.5, false); } translate([0,0,-50]) cylinder(h=100,d1=5,d2=5, false); } } holder(); translate([0,0,-33]) insert();

Bit if a noobie question, but does anyone know of an off axis guider which will work with a Baader Mark-III MPCC Coma Corrector and a Canon 1100D?

must admit, i was originally thinking along the lines of a big disc sander but i remembered i had this palm router tucked away... i really should do an inventory of what tools i have 🤣

wow i think this is going to work 3d printed a plug for the bottom plate to rotate around and fixed my palm router to a piece of laminate flooring 🤣

Hey all It's funny that 'things' you need (well, want) pop up on fleabay like buses... non for ages then 2 come at once. Found an Orion Optics VX10 tube on fleabay so snapped it up as a direct replacement for my old battered (and to be honest, badly modified) Orion Optics GX250, so now the scope doesn't look like an embarrassment lol Treated myself to a low profile focuser, as you do, and then a day later, much to my surprise, a 10" mirror cell appeared on fleabay. Managed to get both for the lofty sum of £65 and proceeded to rebuild the scope. This time, managed to flock the tube perfectly thanks to a neat trick with a dozen small bulldog clips and I'm actually quite pleased with the result. Anyway, I digress. Now, the problem is that the mirror cell is about 4mm too big to fit in the tube 😕 (seems like Orion Optics failed GCSE Maths and didn't quite manage to count up to exactly 11 inches lol) but as the fixings are adjustable I recon that with the right tools, the overall diameter of the bottom plate of the cell can be reduced. Now I know I could easily just take a hacksaw and cut straight across, but as I'm taking my time and doing this right, can anyone think of a way to reduce the diameter of the bottom plate but keep the ends curved to fit the tube? Even better, is there anyone in South Manchester that has the tools?

Am a happy bunny... the 50 foot tall tree in the neighbours garden which was due south from where i'm building my obsy is gone oh happy days...

yes they are... hideously overpriced though.

No way am i paying that... lens is a plano-convex from an old 15mm kelner. Total cost? about the price of a couple of ciggies... oh, and the white projection screen thing is cut from a margarine tub lid

My previous spool of YOYI PLA was sat connected to my printer for best part of 5 months before i finished it... printed as good as when it was opened

Just a few things I've printed...

Ended up with a 3D printed spider as well lololol the original single vane spider was way off centre. Old Orion Optics scopes tend to be as 'agricultural' as old Tal scopes 😆 Anyways, collimation is now a doddle and the focuser, even though not finished, works surprisingly well. Until I can machine a flat on the drawtube and made the focus knobs, I've added some strips cut from the feet you put on the bottom of furniture so it doesn't scratch laminate floor. This also works way better than I expected. At some point, I'll take the focuser off and use the inner hole of the mounting plate as a guide with my nibbler to increase the hole in the tube as it's 'a bit wonky' but for the moment, the scope is quite useable. Also been pondering doing away with the original tube and going for a fully 3D printed OTA, only problem is some parts may be slightly too big for my Ender3, which is a shame as it's dialled in very accurately, may have to invest in a new printer for that... Odd that the pic of the spider makes the vanes look 'off square'... they certainly aren't, it's cause they taper in towards the centre.

windows 11 was an utter failure on my quieter3Q, ended up installing windows 10 and using the registry change in the link below to stop windows 11 upgrade constantly nagging me. https://appuals.com/cancel-windows-11-update/

dunno about Michael, but I've had the synscan on my GP for 8 years now and it's still going strong

Got bored with the naff 1.25" focuser, making my own 2"... couple of hours in sketchup and openscad and it's looking quite good so far if i say so myself 😆 nearly done...

i'm sure something could be arranged

yeah, it's literally just a push fit cylinder with a lip at one end so it can be pushed square into the tube.