Finally balanced my dob...

[Mike_S]

Behold! The perfect dob balancing attachment (well maybe not quite but I’m thrilled). Was looking for iron weights to as well but didn’t need to add them in the end as its weighty enough. Perfect balance with 100mm eye piece. 

https://www.screwfix.com/p/smith-locke-magnetic-tool-holder-black-380mm/6951J?tc=FA6&ds_kid=92700022061884434&ds_rl=1241687&ds_rl=1245250&ds_rl=1244072&ds_rl=1247848&ds_rl=1245250&gclid=Cj0KCQiA5Y3kBRDwARIsAEwloL5z-ylKbIXeeqR0GfGte7dz68VM7DMWEI-xZ-HLMAyleUX-YNFvhzAaAnsUEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

just held on with this and its solid. 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01FMXKIOM/ref=asc_df_B01FMXKIOM58711157/?tag=googshopuk-21&creative=22122&creativeASIN=B01FMXKIOM&linkCode=df0&hvadid=208288929966&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6950867664015978858&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007092&hvtargid=pla-422678532716

 

[Greg6498]

That’s exactly what I did with my dob!

[John]

I use that approach as well

I do use a couple of iron counterweights though - some of my eyepieces are very heavy !

 

[bingevader]

Do you think that if I fitted one of those and passed it off as a knife rack, my missus would let me keep my 'scope in the kitchen?!

[Mike_S]

Where do you get the iron counter weights? Are they ones that are meant for eq mounts?

[John]

5 minutes ago, MSammon said:

Where do you get the iron counter weights? Are they ones that are meant for eq mounts?

Mine are ex-TAL counterweights. I have also used old iron kitchen weights in the past and they worked OK too.

[Piero]

I attached a magnetic bar to the end of my dobson. Curious thing, the bar has enough weight to balance all my heavy eyepieces!

[John]

12 hours ago, Piero said:

I attached a magnetic bar to the end of my dobson. Curious thing, the bar has enough weight to balance all my heavy eyepieces!

The bar I use is lightweight - only the magnetic strips are metal, the rest is plastic. Maybe I should swap it for a heavier bar ?

I've got very used to which of the 2 counterweights is required, in which postion and for which eyepiece. I could do it in the dark - which is just as well !

[Piero]

2 hours ago, John said:

The bar I use is lightweight - only the magnetic strips are metal, the rest is plastic. Maybe I should swap it for a heavier bar ?

I've got very used to which of the 2 counterweights is required, in which postion and for which eyepiece. I could do it in the dark - which is just as well !

Mine is similar to the one in the below link. I placed on the opposite side of the focuser near the mirror. It was sufficient also with the ES 30mm 82 Deg.

All the eyepieces in my current set are lighter than 700g. That bar balances them perfectly in my opinion.

 https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/011786-Draper-Magnetic-Tool-Holder-DRA/3021425236?iid=192642044680&chn=ps&ul_ref=https%3A%2F%2Frover.ebay.com%2Frover%2F1%2F710-134428-41853-0%2F2%3Fmpre%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.ebay.co.uk%252Fp%252F011786-Draper-Magnetic-Tool-Holder-DRA%252F3021425236%253Fiid%253D192642044680%2526chn%253Dps%26itemid%3D192642044680%26targetid%3D522577556623%26device%3Dm%26adtype%3Dpla%26googleloc%3D1006598%26poi%3D%26campaignid%3D1669190636%26adgroupid%3D67214015920%26rlsatarget%3Dpla-522577556623%26abcId%3D1139356%26merchantid%3D7254204%26gclid%3DCjwKCAiAiJPkBRAuEiwAEDXZZfLNyWdQwWvkcSi2WKpBjDp9xUaZuY_wnTydjTf6jVXlg1KJNCyqoRoCMe0QAvD_BwE%26srcrot%3D710-134428-41853-0%26rvr_id%3D1889636940665%26rvr_ts%3D67d2b61d1690aadc0853730dfffe9902

[Beulah]

Yes, I have fallen victim to the magnetic tool strip and weights trick, too! ?