Tube rings

[wookie1965]

I was going to put a handle on my tube rings to aid moving my 5" Achromatic refractor unfortunately I cannot.

There is nowhere to attach them, to go down the DIY route I would have to drill a hole through the rings and being thin aluminium I am apprehensive about attaching one in case it snaps the whole thing. 

So I thought I will buy some Skywatcher ones should be easy enough well I thought wrong. 

My scope measures 132mm in diameter Skywatcher do 120mm and 140mm but nothing in between. 

Primaluce do a set of 134mm tube rings but they cost £226 more than the scope is worth. 

So I am open to any suggestions from anyone who can think of something. 

[Davey-T]

As you say Paul the myriad size of tube rings is mind boggling, obviously not their first consideration when designing scopes.

Primaluce do a fair selection at a price I know because I bought some for my WO Megrez 72 that came with a clamshell.

I did see some someone had made from about inch wide stainless steel bent to the tube size with ends bent up to attach a handle and lined with felt.

Dave

 

[wookie1965]

John

         Primaluce have a pair that will fit but I begrudge paying £200+ for them when the Scope is not worth that. 

Stainless Steel sounds good I will look into that thanks. 

Paul 

[johninderby]

deleted

Edited June 18, 2020 by johninderby

[F15Rules]

230mm rings for a 132mm diameter scope tube????

Dave

[Stu]

2 minutes ago, F15Rules said:

230mm rings for a 132mm diameter scope tube????

Dave

Little bit of packing needed Dave, that’s all.... 😉

[wookie1965]

They have got 136mm tube rings but again nowhere to attach a handle.

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p1196_CR-136---Aluminium-Tube-Rings-for-OTA-with-136-mm-diameter.html

Edited June 18, 2020 by wookie1965

[Neil H]

Paul can't you drill through the thick block part of the ring that's in the photo you only need one screw per ring 

[Neil H]

Another stupid idea get the rings on your link and fit then up side down in side the main rings and bolt handle to the new rings , the new rings would be like a Wilcox rings but with a handle 

[wookie1965]

2 minutes ago, Neil H said:

Paul can't you drill through the thick block part of the ring that's in the photo you only need one screw per ring 

Its only 3 mm and aluminium I would have to countersink from underneath. I dont want to chance that if it breaks at that point I am snookered. Trying to find rings that fit is near impossible.

[Saganite]

Hi Paul,

 

Like you I baulked at the idea of spending silly money on rings for a carry handle, but on my 2 metre tube I needed one. I bought a pair of cheap rings which were about 8mm too big and cut the 4mm thick rubber of an old car mat in strips as shown. Worked a treat.

[F15Rules]

Hi Paul,

Just thinking aloud here..could this material be used to pack out the gap in the SW rings and also allow you to fit a handle?

It comes in various thicknesses including 3,5 and 10mm and is supposed to be flexible (maybe could be wrapped around your tube and stuck to the tube with adhesive?

Or alternatively line your SW rings with it?

https://www.easyfoam.co.uk/zotefoam-plastazote.php

Cheers,

Dave

[F15Rules]

2 minutes ago, Saganite said:

Hi Paul,

 

Like you I baulked at the idea of spending silly money on rings for a carry handle, but on my 2 metre tube I needed one. I bought a pair of cheap rings which were about 8mm too big and cut the 4mm thick rubber of an old car mat in strips as shown. Worked a treat.

Great solution Steve, much better than mine which just followed your suggestion!

Could that be Andromeda that benefitted from your genius?? 😂😂

Dave

[Saganite]

But of course Dave.

As you well know she is a bit of a handful.....

[wookie1965]

I can get 140mm ones and pack them out that`s a brilliant idea thank you, better than foam as wont go flat I will have resistance.

[Saganite]

No need to glue the strips in Paul. A bit of a faff keeping them in place as you close the rings but once done that 's it. Good luck

PS the rings are inexpensive Skywatcher 's

[wookie1965]

3 minutes ago, Saganite said:

No need to glue the strips in Paul. A bit of a faff keeping them in place as you close the rings but once done that 's it. Good luck

PS the rings are inexpensive Skywatcher 's

I am just looking now £21 plus delivery bargain Thank you so much I knew if I wrote on here someone would come up with something. Come up trumps again Thank you again.

[Saganite]

2 minutes ago, wookie1965 said:

I am just looking now £21 plus delivery bargain Thank you so much I knew if I wrote on here someone would come up with something. Come up trumps again Thank you again.

That is the beauty of this forum isn't it .

[wookie1965]

Sent for a pair £26.80 delivered bargain just wait find measurement to the centre of each then van get a handle.

[wookie1965]

Can some nice person measure the width of their skywatcher rings please I've seen this it will do just the job but it has different widths.

[PeterCPC]

25mm

Peter

[wookie1965]

Cheers Peter that's brilliant.

Paul

[wookie1965]

Well ended up buying the 140mm skywatcher rings at first sent for some 3mm of the above link then we took the dew shield off and measured the diameter of the scope.

Turned out it was 130mm so I sent for the 5mm stuff as well put the 5mm on could not close the rings took half off and replaced with the 3mm now it fastens.

 

Just hope this will not affect the alignment of the scope now.

Paul

[Davey-T]

Good job Paul, perseverance pays off.

Dave

[wookie1965]