DIY Dob bases?

[Kaptain Klevtsov]

If the ABS pipe is for pressure use, as opposed to drain type pipe, then the end caps should be a tight fit. The pressure type pipe usually has the Durapipe brand name on it in the UK. Sanding the stuff works OK but is tedious to get a nice running fit. I would expect that the drain type (thinner wall) would have rubber seals in the end caps which you might have to remove.

Captain Chaos

[FLO]

This thread appears to have slipped under my radar

Inspirational stuff 8)

Do we have any suppliers of Teflon, felt and the like for scope building here in the UK?

[GordonCopestake]

Received my SPX200 this morning along with the kindly donated 4" pipe. Things can move forward now and hopefully i'll be able to post a first light report later tonight! (Yeah right!) I'll post some pics as i go along.

8" f/8 is BIG hehe

[GordonCopestake]

These are the 8" tube rings. I've attached 2 dovetails to either side and you can see the 4" plastic pipe with wooden inserts ready to be attached to the dovetails. You can also see a block of teflon also kindly donated.

[geppetto]

Nice idea, I like it 8)

[GordonCopestake]

I was far too confident to think it would just work hehe, the bearings overhang the sides of the frame by about 20mm! I'll have to work out a system of extending out the supports, but then my entire telescope weight is hanging on those supports. Hmmmmmm, back to the drawing board!

[Ambermile]

Hmm - surely it's just a case of cscrewing some blocks on the outside?

[GordonCopestake]

Pretty much Arthur yeah, but i need to make sure that they are secure enough and the added height doesn't upset things.

[GordonCopestake]

Grrrrr, i phoned Orion Optics today to see what the lead time was on a "real" dob base for my SPX200. Was told 3 weeks wait, which is fine. They also quoted me the price of £263 which shocked me as it says £210 on the website. Apparently the £210 is JUST the base and the bearings are extra. I mean ffs, who sells a rocker box without the bearings?!

[Kaptain Klevtsov]

So that's them out of the equation then.

How's the DIY one coming on?

Captain Chaos

[GordonCopestake]

A little slow to be honest. I'de like to blame the heat, but i've just been lazy the last few days. I have all the pieces i just need to put it all together. A clear night once in a while might give me some enthusiasm but apparently it's thunder and lightning from here on in.....

[Kaptain Klevtsov]

Found this page

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/glen.oliver/telescope.htm

I think that these could be useful, and a chat with the guy could get a Dob. base sorted for less than OO want for their exotic metal version.

Captain Chaos

[GordonCopestake]

Nice link CC, cheers!

Unfortunatly the dob idea has gone out the window at the moment as i can't sell my other bits to make up the cost of the SPX200 so it's gone back on the market. I'm not disheartened though as i think i'll end up getting a larger (10") dob some time in the near future. No hurry as the dark isn't back yet.