wilcox rotating rings

[altec]

iam thinking of making some of the wilcox rotating rings for my scope

Andy's Shot Glass - Wilson Rotating Rings - Astronomy & Astrophotography for Non-Gazillionaires

i got the Hose Clamps but can't find any garden edging

would it ok to use lpg gas hose/pipe or any tips on what to use

thanks

steve

[studdedsole]

Steve, Try B&Q - they stock 20mm dia clear soft hose on a reel which you cut to length. It was around 60p/m when I last bought some. Just thread the metal clip through. You'll find it where they stock chain and rope on a reel. Makes life very easy!

Cheers Tony

[sbooder]

I would be careful using softer hose, the reason that Andy used the garden edging was that it was a harder plastic, this stopped any binding when trying to rotate the OTA. The softer hose dose create a lot of friction on the OTA rings.

[sbooder]

Here we go Hula hoops bundle of 4x600mm. dia. 03276: Amazon.co.uk: Toys & Games

[altec]

ok thanks for the reply's

i let you kown what i can find

hula hoops that brings back some memories think i need some wd40 to use one these days

most kids of today don't no what they are hihi

[Steve C]

I used silicon coloured hose, the hot hatch & performance car guys use it as its more resiliant than the standard hose plus it comes in a variety of colours & diameters, avaliable on Ebay for pence

[jam1e1]

where is the best place to get hose clamps from? most places i been to only sell short ones?

[altec]

i was lucky i had some off a mate

try a washing machine repair shop or a car parts shop or there is some on ebay

[Steve C]

Got a pair or 9 inch jubilee clips from Ebay for a few quid

[sbooder]

The reason I gave the Hula hoop link was that it is the best to fit the needs of the tube. If you buy tube that is too soft it will bind on the OTA rings and if you buy tube that is too hard it will collapse when you try and bend it round the OTA, but Hula Hoops are hard and already moulded in a circle.

The other thing is, you do not have to build two rings, unless you are going to rotate the OTA while pointing at the floor, so you will only have to find 1 jubilee clip big enough or two smaller ones that you can join together; that is what I did for my 10” newt.

Good luck with whatever you come up with and don’t forget to post picies of your solution?

[malc-c]

where is the best place to get hose clamps from? most places i been to only sell short ones?

Been thinking of doing the same for my SW200P - found this place

http://www.grampianfasteners.com/Products.aspx?cat=11797549

Just going to measure the tube size on my 200P and put an order in

Uhmmm ignore that... tube size is 75cm

[jam1e1]

cheers malc - just found they come in standard sizes - i need 10.5 for 250mm scope. Now to find the tubing.... May try out LPG gas pipe as thats flexible but tough. (orangle flexy tube like u get with camping gas)

[malc-c]

cheers malc - just found they come in standard sizes - i need 10.5 for 250mm scope. Now to find the tubing.... May try out LPG gas pipe as thats flexible but tough. (orangle flexy tube like u get with camping gas)

Sorry.. don't follow - 10.5 and your scope is a 250mm ?

I've measured the circumference of the 200P tube and its 750mm min

[scogyrd]

where is the best place to get hose clamps from? most places i been to only sell short ones?

If you can't find a large enough one you could always join two smaller ones together to make one. This is what I did when I made a rotating ring for my old scope.

[jam1e1]

Check here malc:

Products - Clips - Standard - L. Robinson & Company: Home Of The Jubilee Worm Drive Hose Clip

If you look at the sizing chart - 10.5 is just a generic rating - equates to 240to260ish mm clips.

I was searching on sizes before and didnt have much luck, searching with those sizings bought up many more results

[altec]

thanks simon

i think i will try the Hula hoop i think it will be ok for my needs

[sbooder]

That's OK. Don't forget you will have to do the mod of countersinking the tube ring hinge what ever you use for the Wilcox Ring.

[rowan46]

I put this on the heads up a few weeks ago don't know if anyone will find it useful Draper 12mm Wide Jubilee Hose Banding Clamp Set 3 Meters Long : Tooled-Up.com

[malc-c]

Rowan, that's excellent -

Simon, I may of missed something, but what is the white material you made your wilcox rings from

[malc-c]

Jubilee set and 3M of banding ordered

[sbooder]

Rowan, that's excellent -

Simon, I may of missed something, but what is the white material you made your wilcox rings from

It is a length of cable box conduit you put electric cables in. I used it originally because on my old Orion GX250 the OTA rings where very shallow and would ride underneath a curved Wilcox ring, so I had to use something flat. I have not got round to updating it yet.

[studdedsole]

For extended lengths try this set 3m long band you cut to length to fabricate your own clips. I have this and the B&Q hose on a Skywatcher 250PX and it works like a dream.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-55591-8mm-Hose-Clamp/dp/B0001K9VUO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1301167567&sr=8-3

[jam1e1]

Simon that looks good - do you have link to the conduit cant seem to find good match

[sbooder]

Hi Jamie,

here is the link 16mm x 16mm Mini Trunking

I will measure the one I am using tomorrow and let you know the size.

[sbooder]

I have measured the truncking and it is 1". I used the front part of the truncking, the bit you slide/snap on once your cable is in the bit you stuck to the wall (if you are using it for the intended purpose that is).

Here is a link to the size I used, sorry but the original link in earlier post was wrong size.

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Trunking_Pvc_Index/MiniTrunking_2/index.html