Beat place online for degree circle printing?

[RyanL]

Hi,

As above, I'm looking for a good UK based place for printing laminated degree circles for my 6imch dob. 

Any recommendations ?

[bosun21]

7 hours ago, RyanL said:

Hi,

As above, I'm looking for a good UK based place for printing laminated degree circles for my 6imch dob. 

Any recommendations ?

Ask @Ratlet as I know that he got some printed for his 10” dobsonian.

[Ratlet]

I used instant print for mine.  They have templates so you can make sure your print doesn't get resized.

I used waterproof pvc for mine.  The ink is not massively hard wearing and will scratch off with a bit of effort (mine are fine after several months though).  Probably a bit of varnish would help if it were a concern.

It does mean I didn't need to get them cut out or worry about picture getting through penetrations on the lamination and I could print other stuff on the sheet.  Ended up getting two sets of circles, puckle of verniers (spares in case of loss) and a couple extra circles for my az5.

Edited September 11, 2023 by Ratlet

[happy-kat]

I printed mine in sections 1:1 on A4 then laminated the prints, then cut out and fitted what was needed

[RyanL]

Thanks for replies .

[wheresthetorch?]

8 hours ago, Ratlet said:

and a couple extra circles for my az5.

Any chance of a picture of them on your AZ5? I have a set on my dob, but would like to add them to my grab 'n' go AZ5 rig.

[Ratlet]

I never got round to actually fitting them 😳.  I've been having too much fun with the dob.

I used these.  I was mostly trying to get my monies worth out of the printing so filled the sheet as much as I could

https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/621600-skywatcher-az5-manual-head-setting-circles/

[wheresthetorch?]

10 hours ago, Ratlet said:

I never got round to actually fitting them 😳.  I've been having too much fun with the dob.

I used these.  I was mostly trying to get my monies worth out of the printing so filled the sheet as much as I could

https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/621600-skywatcher-az5-manual-head-setting-circles/

Ok, cheers.  I might give that a go. 

[Tomatobro]

I have used "Blocklayer" a lot over the years.

[wheresthetorch?]

Well, they're on @Ratlet!  Hoping to test them tonight at the weather looks clear. 

[Ratlet]

33 minutes ago, wheresthetorch? said:

Well, they're on @Ratlet!  Hoping to test them tonight at the weather looks clear. 

Hope they work for you!  I loved mine on the dob, though I used a digital inclinometer for inclination.  Like goto should be.

[wheresthetorch?]

11 minutes ago, Ratlet said:

Hope they work for you!  I loved mine on the dob, though I used a digital inclinometer for inclination.  Like goto should be.

Yes, I have the on my dob base and use a wixey angle gauge - it works so well that I've been looking for a similar system for my frac.  My only reservation is how small the graduations are for the AZ5, but should get me in the general area I hope! 

[RyanL]

I used a company called printpond.co.uk in the end. Delivered in two days so I'm happy with that. Now I just need to play around making some kind of pointer.

Cheers

Ryan.

Edited September 15, 2023 by RyanL
Fat thumbs!