DIY Leg Spreader

[MarkAR]

I got fed up trying to manoeuvre my tripod out the door with the legs spread open so knocked this up out of scrap.

The collars were the only expense

https://www.gear4music.com/PA-DJ-and-Lighting/Half-Coupler-Clamp-by-Gear4music-48-51mm/2W9K

 

[DaveL59]

gotta love that title, made me wonder what the content was gonna be 😉 

My tripod seems to be an older model with the spreader using plastic clamps on the legs, not managed to get a replacement for the one that cracked but cable ties have so far worked tho I might look at getting a set of these to replace them. The Meade tray with in-built handset holder fits it nicely tho so a good purchase from Astroboot.

[Zermelo]

On 06/09/2020 at 11:36, DaveL59 said:

gotta love that title, made me wonder what the content was gonna be 😉 

My tripod seems to be an older model with the spreader using plastic clamps on the legs, not managed to get a replacement for the one that cracked but cable ties have so far worked tho I might look at getting a set of these to replace them. The Meade tray with in-built handset holder fits it nicely tho so a good purchase from Astroboot.

Can't quite see  from your picture, but are your clamps like these:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Celestron-Astromaster-Tripod-Round-Clips-SET-OF-3-8001905-UK-Stock/333160718312?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

Mine cracked after a while too, and it turned out that my (non-Celestron) scope had a Celestron tripod. These were the cheapest I could find.
The OPs metal alternatives look good, though.

 

[DaveL59]

1 minute ago, Zermelo said:

Can't quite see  from your picture, but are your clamps like these:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Celestron-Astromaster-Tripod-Round-Clips-SET-OF-3-8001905-UK-Stock/333160718312?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

Mine cracked after a while too, and it turned out that my (non-Celestron) scope had a Celestron tripod. These were the cheapest I could find.
The OPs metal alternatives look good, though.

 

similar but not quite. Shame they don't give the leg diameter for those clamps. The tripod I have is the thinner 1.5 inch version and I've not found replacements that fit so far. The metal ones look good but again not the same fit tho might work. For now the cable ties are working fine tho, the single ties are to hopefully prevent the 2 failing like the one with 3 ties on it.

[Zermelo]

11 minutes ago, DaveL59 said:

similar but not quite. Shame they don't give the leg diameter for those clamps. The tripod I have is the thinner 1.5 inch version and I've not found replacements that fit so far. The metal ones look good but again not the same fit tho might work. For now the cable ties are working fine tho, the single ties are to hopefully prevent the 2 failing like the one with 3 ties on it.

Ah. The internal diameter of those plastic clamps (I bought some) is about 31mm when fully closed, they're intended for 1.25" legs.

[Davey-T]

The iOptron didn't even have a tripod spreader so very wobbly, made this using Munsen pipe clips, not quick release but works ok.

Dave

[MarkAR]

The company in my link does other sizes, you'd probably just need to make an adapter to fit your tray. That's if they have the right size.