Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2014 5:41:40 GMT
Hello, I have a slight slope in my backyard + thick grass both contributing to alignment errors (the weight of the scope would compress grass as it moved...).
I've seen various solutions to help fix the problem with the slop but they weren't either appealing or too expensive.
This isn't the best option and I've only just recently done it, but it cost less than $20 from a local hardware ($8 if you already have some wood laying around) and is working well.
For my 8" Dob:
600mm x 600mm MDF
60cm (2ft) of threaded rod (3/8" thick - could have used larger, just costs more) $3
16x 3/8" nuts $3
8x 3/8" washers (flat plate or whatever you have available) $2
Cut the rod into 4 sections (150mm for me) - 1 rod + 4 nuts + 2 washers for each corner of the base
The idea is that 2 nuts and 1 washer allows a portion of the rod to stick into the ground to a certain depth, the washer stops the rod going in too deep and potentially leaving a empty space below the rod if its lifted during adjustments (which would allow the base to wobble when the scope moved).
The other 2 nuts and 1 washer act as the adjustment part of the setup - the washer is just there to help protect the wood (but isn't that necessary). The bottom nut is used for the height adjustments, the top nut is to lock the height & wood into place.
I place it in the yard where i want it - stand on it to sink in into the ground. Use a level on one of the sides, loosen the top nut, adjust from underneath, re-tighten (moving in a circular pattern) to achieve level. Then place the scope on top, use the level on each side to check if still level (due to the compression of the grass from when i initially leveled it). It should still be close to level already so only just small adjustments are required (move around in a circular pattern again).
Now to see if the grass is going to give me grief - i put the scope in a horizontal position and swing it in a circle while the level is on each side and keep an eye on the bubble, if it moves then i know i will lose alignment.
I used spanners to tighten the nuts & washer for grass end - i just use my fingers for the adjustment nuts (just take the weight of the wood when you move the nut and it adjusts easily). Leave enough space between wood & grass to get your fingers in
If you use MDF - it will not like being wet (it will swell) so you will need to seal it at some point with some paint (etc).
I've seen various solutions to help fix the problem with the slop but they weren't either appealing or too expensive.
This isn't the best option and I've only just recently done it, but it cost less than $20 from a local hardware ($8 if you already have some wood laying around) and is working well.
For my 8" Dob:
600mm x 600mm MDF
60cm (2ft) of threaded rod (3/8" thick - could have used larger, just costs more) $3
16x 3/8" nuts $3
8x 3/8" washers (flat plate or whatever you have available) $2
Cut the rod into 4 sections (150mm for me) - 1 rod + 4 nuts + 2 washers for each corner of the base
The idea is that 2 nuts and 1 washer allows a portion of the rod to stick into the ground to a certain depth, the washer stops the rod going in too deep and potentially leaving a empty space below the rod if its lifted during adjustments (which would allow the base to wobble when the scope moved).
The other 2 nuts and 1 washer act as the adjustment part of the setup - the washer is just there to help protect the wood (but isn't that necessary). The bottom nut is used for the height adjustments, the top nut is to lock the height & wood into place.
I place it in the yard where i want it - stand on it to sink in into the ground. Use a level on one of the sides, loosen the top nut, adjust from underneath, re-tighten (moving in a circular pattern) to achieve level. Then place the scope on top, use the level on each side to check if still level (due to the compression of the grass from when i initially leveled it). It should still be close to level already so only just small adjustments are required (move around in a circular pattern again).
Now to see if the grass is going to give me grief - i put the scope in a horizontal position and swing it in a circle while the level is on each side and keep an eye on the bubble, if it moves then i know i will lose alignment.
I used spanners to tighten the nuts & washer for grass end - i just use my fingers for the adjustment nuts (just take the weight of the wood when you move the nut and it adjusts easily). Leave enough space between wood & grass to get your fingers in
If you use MDF - it will not like being wet (it will swell) so you will need to seal it at some point with some paint (etc).