Alien 13

Now I have a 3D printer I might give a Harmonic drive a go, wondering if even the flexible ring can be printed too for a small low torque system for use in a camera tracker or remote controlled normal camera mount.  I have had good results so far with carbon fibre filament for the stiff strong parts and thinking maybe PLA + for the semi flexible stuff.

Alan

Nice, already have Affinity Photo but notice that "Designer" is reduced too so will hit the button.

Alan

What a brilliant pub shed...

Alan

I wonder how much local factors come into play, for example I live about 2 miles from a city center but it lies 30 meters below me...

Alan 

Not sure how this works but I am supposed to be Bortle 6 but can easily see the Milky Way, in fact its so dark sometimes I cant even see my feet.

Alan

Always fancied a Borg (not just 7) more than any other scope, something cool about the design..

Alan

I have had several print failures with some STL files just not working no matter what you do, the most annoying though is a filament tangle which rips the filament guide arm off the printer and breaks the filament holder too....There doesn't seem to be a commercial or printable sensor for this unlike filament breaks so will have to design/make one probably based on a spring loaded guide wheel and micro switch.

Alan

5 minutes ago, Astro Noodles said:

I'm not as impressed by the image as I probably should be. After the astonishing M87 image, I suppose I was expecting something with more definition. This image leaves me with the feeling that it's one they rushed out and snapped through a gap in the clouds - even though it took 5 years to process.

I agree.

Alan

Slightly off topic I noticed that you can also get "whitest white" and "mirror" paint, the white reflects 99.9% of visable light so could be handy for painting tripod feet etc so you dont trip over them in the dark..

Alan

The Moon, its different every time you view/image it..

Alan

The app for the star adventurer mini includes a polarscope align section...

Alan

10 minutes ago, Mr Spock said:

My 12" needs flocking. It won't get to see this paint, not at those prices. The paint would cost as much as the scope!

I am sure some critical items like the spider vanes and the focusser tube could be done.

Alan

1 minute ago, Louis D said:

I'm thinking of using some Protostar flocking material to line the rear baffle tube of my 127 Mak.  I just haven't had the time to work on that project.

Thanks, I did mean the baffle tube but there is not a lot of room in there so its either the flocking material or maybe a rolled cylinder made from a cut up bear can painted with the special paint stuff.

Alan

Nice, have thought about getting some of that paint for the focus tube of my Mak. maybe it will then transform into a "Questar" 😀

I imagine that paint would be brilliant for camera lens hoods too.

Alan

I would point it at Betelgeuse or maybe Mercury as the planet that seems to be left out when we are exploring.

Alan

Very nice, I like the Y too which is midway between the X and the bottom rim 😃

Alan

Might be worth looking out for a used Canon EOS-R, my Son got hold of one for a decent price. The camera is basically a mirrorless version of the 5D4 with some additional features such as a greater number of focus points and focus tools if using lenses like the Samyang. My Son uses an adapter for his Sigma ART lenses, the Samyang 135 f/2 and the old EOS L lens he has as well as the nice shiny R lens he recently bought.

The only downside he mentioned was a bit of screen lag on fast moving objects and battery life..

Alan

I think that 3D printers are useful when you need a component that you cant buy, provided you make the item using the materials strength with additional components that negate any weaknesses then all is good. As an example my Ender 3 adjustable dampening feet..

The foam inserts have since been replaced with 38mm pads I got from Amazon.

Alan

54 minutes ago, Chriske said:

The list of parts and projects I've printed so far (during the 10 years I own printers) is long, very long.
I can't even begin to tell how many things I've printed so far..
In my opinion every 3Dprinter owner should start learning drawing his own parts. Drawing your own parts, the possibilities are endless ....

I have been using Tinkercad for a while now and although its limited I have not found a part I cannot make using it.

Alan

I have found that 3D printing leads you into other hobbies, have been running mine almost 24/7 since I bought it making parts for audio mods/air rifle and pistols/the printer itself/ astro adapters/household items/cases for electronics etc and am into the fantasy figure models at the moment but will dabble in robotics soon so that not only can Alexa boil my kettle but bring me a coffee too 😀

Alan

I think its best to buy a decent white light torch and then paint the LED/front glass or even both with red nail varnish ..

Alan

I would chose a DSLR over a fan cooled camera for the reasons listed below.

Self contained, no need for a heavy power supply or a laptop.

Bigger sensor.

The argument over QE is less of an issue, my now old camera has a QE of 54 which is in the same ballpark as a lot of dedicated CMOS devices.

Perfectly matched to camera lenses regarding inbuilt filters.

Inbuilt focusing aids.

Alan

1 hour ago, Craney said:

Isn't boot polish meant to be a good thread lubricant ??   .... or did I just day-dream that  ??

Boot polish is fine if its similar to this...

Another tip is a pair of these.

Alan

4B pencil 😀

Alan

Nice setup.

Apart from fitting strain gauges you could perhaps use one of them thin kitchen scales under each of the rear tripod legs in turn to check..

Alan