Magnetic counter weight for Dobsonians

[tomato]

Having fitted a Telrad to my SW flex tube Dobsonian it is now out of balance on the altitude axis. Orion sell a nice magnetic counterweight for £26 but I thought I would have go at making one. Two pieces of flat steel strip and a redundant handle from a Pulsar dome shutter did the trick along with some self adhesive 3M magnetic strip. I thought the strip might not be strong enough to hold it when vertical, but 3 pieces across the base are enough.

[Roog]

Nice one @tomato, I stumbled upon a similar DIY idea, I have been using a 'tool holder' magnetic strip like the one in the link below, with lead sheet glued to the back. I have added a thin polyethene layer on the magnet face to minimise scratching of the telescope tube, it can be slid up and down the tube to improve balance. I don't like to add too much weight to the scope so I normally work with just one and add a second only if I attach my SLR  . https://www.screwfix.com/p/smith-locke-magnetic-tool-holder-black-380mm/6951j

I have added  with 

[cajen2]

An easy option is to use an aquarium algae magnet. Both halves are usually magnetic but crucially, both are padded so you don't scratch your scope.