Centre bolt on Orion Eq6

[Phisci]

I've removed my EQ6 from its tripod legs and installed the head directly onto a wooden plate of 20mm thickness as follows:  

 The center bolt which came with the tripod is a so called shoulder bolt of 12mm thickness. I opted to use a simple threaded 12mm rod but this does not clamp the head onto the base sufficiently snuggly. 

It seems that there are 2 solutions:

1. Either go for a thinner base onto which to mount the head and so use the original supplied threaded bolt

2. Source the righted specced 12mm shoulder bolt

Any ideas of which may be the better route?

 

Edited May 21, 2017 by Phisci
spelling

[wookie1965]

Why dont you contact these may be able help you.

[Kropster]

The photo doesn't seem to show a 20mm wooden plate.

Is it the right photo?

[LightBucket]

Yes why have you left the tripod head on there, surely it should be bolted direct to the top steel plate...??!!

[Merlin66]

The centre bolt on the NEQ6 mount head is a 12mm x 1.75mm pitch.

I used the available 200mm extension to mount directly onto the pillar with a 12mm stud. No "rats cage"

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=neq6+extension&tbm=isch&imgil=U1SSPDNmzJY_mM%3A%3BCiF-llLUilmtOM%3Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.camera-warehouse.com.au%252Fsky-watcher-extension-tube-for-neq6-and-azeq6&source=iu&pf=m&fir=U1SSPDNmzJY_mM%3A%2CCiF-llLUilmtOM%2C_&usg=__WzY9q1im0JfOVgefOTZNBhhez5c%3D&biw=1234&bih=658&ved=0ahUKEwjv3-ual4LUAhUDkZQKHYPFC2EQyjcIRQ&ei=SygiWa-OIoOi0gSDi6-IBg#imgrc=U1SSPDNmzJY_mM:

[Phisci]

Thanks for the links and suggestions. The image was taken from another forum but the setup is the same. I think I'm going to use the 6mm Al/steel plate option. 

[Phisci]

The following link describes a useful solution which essentially takes a M12 bolt and files down part of the thread to emulate the bolt supplied with the original mount.

http://practicalastronomy.com/fitting-a-skywatcher-eq6-mount-to-a-telescope-pier/

[Phisci]

So using the link just posted, I tried a very simple but effective solution: Take a 12mm bolt and measure the needed length by comparing with the original center bolt supplied with the tripod. Then using the original to determine the length of the area that has no thread, then remove the thread on the new 12mm bolt with a little grinder. Now install the new modified bolt. Works perfectly. thanks for all the help and ideas here.