Magnetic Counterweights

[Astro-Geek]

I've got quite a few extras on the top end of my 300p flextube goto, so needed slightly heavier counterweights.

I've never found economic bespoke telescope weights, but have just managed to do the job very neatly with a couple of buys from Amazon.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Neewer-Aluminum-Removable-Balancing-Stabilizer/dp/B01JCJLUJE/ref=sxts_sxwds-bia-wc-p13n1_0?cv_ct_cx=Neewer+Aluminum+Alloy&dchild=1&keywords=Neewer+Aluminum+Alloy&pd_rd_i=B01JCJLUJE&pd_rd_r=43056ae7-0535-4e86-b1a2-2e1948aaa662&pd_rd_w=MEPcj&pd_rd_wg=MlQGa&pf_rd_p=e3a968a9-db34-4cb6-962f-ddcde7323cf7&pf_rd_r=1STYWN0RXG1T1P2RSHQ5&psc=1&qid=1591642983&sr=1-1-91e9aa57-911e-4628-99b3-09163b7d9294

and  (two)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Magnet-Expert®-thread-Rubber-Coated/dp/B0058DBAV2/ref=sxts_sxwds-bia-wc-p13n1_0?cv_ct_cx=Magnet+Expert+79+x+53+x&dchild=1&keywords=Magnet+Expert+79+x+53+x&pd_rd_i=B0058DBAV2&pd_rd_r=78d7903b-b9b0-40e9-ac82-7b27e12401e6&pd_rd_w=TgvBF&pd_rd_wg=Optx0&pf_rd_p=e3a968a9-db34-4cb6-962f-ddcde7323cf7&pf_rd_r=QS4XK6YC6QEJ6P4V35S2&psc=1&qid=1591643032&quartzVehicle=88-1160&replacementKeywords=magnet+79+x+53+x&sr=1-1-91e9aa57-911e-4628-99b3-09163b7d9294

Total cost, £30, giving me two 1 kilo magnetic weights with strong non-scratch rubber covered magnets.

The only slight glitch is that the magnetic pads have M6 metric male threads, and the weights have photographic 1/4 x 20 UNF photo female threads.

They do screw on firmly (binding), but for neatness I use an M6 tap on the weights, so that they screw right on. 

(Only works on steel tube OTAs though !! 🤓)

 

Edited June 8, 2020 by Astro-Geek