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[katodog]

Here are a few pics of the latest homemade doodads for the scopes. The first is a laser holder. It's made from PVC and plastic. I can use the focus lock thumbscrew on the AR6 to mount it, and the two reflectors have bolts, so I can use those to mount it on them. I'll have to tap a few holes in the dovetail for the AT80.

Anyhow, here are a few pics of the mount. Bear in mind, it's not built for beauty. It does work pretty darned good, though.







And here is the latest controller holder. This one developed after an idea I had for my cousin to mount his control cables to his new steel tripod. I said "why not cut some PVC and snap it onto the legs". Then I thought "why did I have the idea for him, and not myself?". So I had him cut me a couple of rings like his and then I took some plastic and attached it to the PVC. Now that's what I call a controller holder!! Of course this idea would have come in handy when I had the "drill holes and use coathanger" idea. But, now I took the coathanger off. The only remains are the two small holes in the mount. No big deal.








The controller holder looks like it belongs with the scope. I was going to match the paint with the scope, but I kind of like the grey.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Kdog,

I always like the efforts of homemade accessories, and your two new projects are quite good looking...

On the laser holder, I see in that photo example, it is attached to the focuser with just the one screw. Doesn't that allow the whole unit to pivot, and therefore alter the alignment of laser to scope?

I have used pvc pipe for many astronomical accessories. It's the astronomers best friend!

Great work on the holder...

[katodog]

Aha!! Shows how much you know!!

The laser mount would pivot, except for the fact that among the spare parts I happen to obtain from work, we have this wonderful sticky-backed cork that works wonders on making something not move. I just apply a few small pieces, and the mount stays put. I've used the cork for numerous things, and it never fails.

The PVC idea was great, and I never pass up the opportunity to make something out of nothing, but it does look a bit haggard up close. But, I figure if it works, who cares what it looks like?

That's what God made spray paint for.

And you'd be surprised what I can come up with from bits and pieces of bowling equipment


The hard part now is, I want to make another controller holder, and it was a pain in the butt making this one. I can never get the plastic bent in the spot I want it to, so I end up scrapping a few pieces before I get it right. But, that's another part laying around serving no purpose but to fuel my need to jerry rig stuff.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

How are you bending the pvc?

Heat, chemicals, incantations?

I wouldn't paint the holder, just creates a ongoing maintenance chore. A fine grit sanding would be all that is needed.

[katodog]

I clamp the plastic in the vise and heat it with a propane torch. Just enough heat not to burn it, but enough to heat it and bend it. Sometimes it gets a bit burned, but I just sand it clean. Most of the time I spray paint stuff anyway, because it makes different colored parts look the same. When I bend it, the first bends go fine, but when I get to the second bend, I can't put the plastic in the vise, so I have to hold it in my hand and hope I get it bent in the right spot. This latest controller holder took a while, because I kept making the bends wrong.

I'm going to make another laser holder, and this time spend a little bit more time on making it work and look better. The original one has crooked cuts, and the bolts are not in straight or at the right angles to each other. They kind of go cockeyed, so when I put the laser in, it's not held quite right.

There is going to be another controller holder made, but I think I might wait on that. The plastic makes a heck of a mess when it's cut and ground, and it sticks to me like glue. I think I'll go buy an apron to keep myself clean.

Besides, if the boss saw me dirty, he'd think I was working and would expect it all the time.