Post by Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe on Jun 1, 2013 2:13:29 GMT -6
Storing the CG-5 in a Hard Shell Golf Case
Looking around in a thrift store in Chicago's suburbs, I came across this hard shell golf case. Immediately, I thought of using it for something astronomical...maybe even the CG-5 mount/tripod. (The above shows the case from Amazon at full price.)
It had a busted top latch, but no big...and I got it for cheap...pocket change really. Bringing it home, I tried it out on the CG-5...and it fit tight. The new Dual Dovetail head was making things difficult and would have fit perfectly with the stock dovetail head. But with some mods, we can get a decent fit.
I shoved the CG-5 in the case and left it for a few weeks...with little time to work on it. But with these dreary rainy days/nights we are now experiencing, I had a few hours to work on it...
Looking like the Mark V Torpedo casket in the "Wrath of Khan", I cut off the busted top latch and prepared to replace it with a brass one...
The wood screws that were included would not do here, as there is nothing to "bite" into, so I collect the needed bolts, washers and nuts from my store room, but I had no short length ones and I cut them down with my new Ryobi cordless reciprocal saw...
The new latch looks good and works well... ;D
I place the CG-5 back into the case, it closed well and securely. But I still had the situation of the mount standing just a little too high, pushing out the top of the case - deforming it. I spade drilled three holes on the bottom of the case, just enough that the bottom of the tripod legs stick out...making room at the top...
Much better!
I do not keep the Hand Controller in the crummy and useless stock cradle holder on the tripod leg, but instead elect to keep it on the mount head via industrial Velcro. Stays put and does not bounce around.
The hard shell case has wheels, two handles and leagues ahead of the soft bag that I had planned for the CG-5...and better than what I was doing...just carrying it as it is and plopping it down while transporting it. The case does not add weight and I feel better handing the whole thing with two secure handles instead of fumbling for a proper grip on the mount head/tripod legs. I will pad the inside to help protect it from jarring. And I think I will also devise holders for the counter-weight and shaft...but that's for another free night.
If you find one of these hard shell cases in your area, I recommend getting it for your astro stuff.
...as the recess was just a bit too small. Nearby, was the drilled out 9 ball I had intended to use on the Dec slo-mo control on the Ci700 mount. So, enlarging the recess on this one slightly larger, the Toe Saver screw fit tightly and securely within the recess with just a friction fit...
