Adding wheels to Skywatcher 8" Dob

[wired2moon]

I'm thinking of adding wheels in some way, shape or form to my Skywatcher 200P Dobsonian for portability - mainly wheeling it in and out of the garage but also *maybe* across short grass in the local playing field (a pretty good observing site). My idea is simple (like me) - to screw braked castor wheels to the base of the rocker box. I'm wondering if others have done the same and what the results were like? Here are the choices I am toying with:

- wheel configuration; 3 or 4?

- 4" or 5 " wheels (at the moment I'm thinking rubber castors)?

- brakes on all or some of the wheels? (and will the brakes keep it still enough for observing)?

Should i be looking at bigger wheels, perhaps pneumatic?

Would I be better to screw the wheels to a reinforced wooden board and just lift the scope on and off the board?

Is there a better way altogether to achieve simple portability?

I've seen advice on the internet about using hand/sack trolleys but this seems to me more of a faff than it needs to be, plus I imagine there would be challenges getting the scope on and off the trolley toe, with or without feet attached.

Ideas, views and your own experiences welcomed!

[kirkster501]

I am thinking along similar lines. However two thoughts have crossed my, pretty simple, mind...

1. If they are "castor" type wheels, like the ones on the bottom of the settee or on office chairs, they could rattle the scope to bits being pushed across paving, even if they are rubber coated. At the very least it will wreck the collimation of the scope.

2. So in light of the points in 1 you use pneumatic type "tyre" wheels to give a smoother experience for the scope across rougher surfaces. The issue then is the whole telescope will be wobblier than bugs bunny's ears when it comes to observing.

Eager for a solution to this myself because if I could just push my 12 Dob out the garage it would make it much nicer to use.

[swamp thing]

How about some wheelbarrow type handles? These can have pneumatic tyres on, giving a nice soft ride for your mirror.

They can also be removed when observing. To give a nice stable platform.

[wired2moon]

Decided on a 3/4" plywood platform with 4 x 5" braked wheels. Will cut holes for the baseboard feet and swivel bolt head so rocker box can sit flush. Nice that i don't have to make holes anywhere in the rocker box itself. I read about someone in the US who took this approach successfully. Importantly i've decided i won't need to wheel it over grass, just in/out of garage. Otherwise a hand truck or wheelbarrow attachments would be better. Have ordered parts and will post how it goes.

cheers for the input

[eswardn12]

Quite early to reply, he he.. Can you please post the pictures of this?

[banjaxed]

I built a platform trolley for mine and wouldn’t be without it as it saves so much time setting up.