Other "Do It Yourself" projects

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DIY soldering wire + baking soda = rechargeable battery

Last post by realflow100 « Sun Mar 30, 2025 1:04 pm

by realflow100 » Sun Mar 30, 2025 1:04 pm

I found through some experimentation its possible to make an extremely simple rechargeable battery using just ordinary electronics solder wire and a...

0 Replies

472 Views

Last post by realflow100
Sun Mar 30, 2025 1:04 pm
What did you work on today ?

Last post by Graeme1858 « Tue Nov 26, 2024 4:02 pm
Replies: 6
by Astro_Achim » Sun Nov 03, 2024 8:56 am

First post

I might be not different from many other hobby astronomers.
The endless bad weather days are used to optimise the equipment ;-)
So, here is my...

Last post

Looks quality.

6 Replies

4806 Views

Last post by Graeme1858
Tue Nov 26, 2024 4:02 pm
Zero Gravity Binocular Chair

Last post by messier 111 « Sat Oct 12, 2024 11:37 pm
Replies: 1
by dpselinger » Sat Oct 12, 2024 11:14 pm

First post

This background story bears repeating here:
I got bitten by rich field sweeping of the Milky Way. The moment I saw a binocular chair, I knew that's...

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This is an ingenious project, congratulations on your chair which is very adequate for what you do.thx.

1 Replies

3681 Views

Last post by messier 111
Sat Oct 12, 2024 11:37 pm
New Rig Mod No.3 - Nichrome Wire and Duct Tape Heated Dew Band

Last post by OzEclipse « Wed Jul 24, 2024 9:37 pm
Replies: 13
by Graeme1858 » Wed Jul 17, 2024 8:17 pm

First post

With the Kentish relative humidity regularly in the over 90% range and the objective lens easily reaching the dew point when pointing at the cold...

Last post

On bigger lenses I use the wrap around Velcro usb heater bands but as you found, some things are too bulky for small lenses.

Joe

13 Replies

6563 Views

Last post by OzEclipse
Wed Jul 24, 2024 9:37 pm
New Rig Mod No.2 - ZWO EAF Fitting and Setup

Last post by Graeme1858 « Wed Jul 17, 2024 8:13 pm

by Graeme1858 » Wed Jul 17, 2024 8:13 pm

A new astrophotography telescope needs a new Electronic Auto Focuser to work well with a NINA capturing sequence, especially if the intention is to...

0 Replies

3601 Views

Last post by Graeme1858
Wed Jul 17, 2024 8:13 pm
New Rig Mod No.1 - Celestron AVX Mount Axis Striction

Last post by Graeme1858 « Wed Jul 17, 2024 8:08 pm

by Graeme1858 » Wed Jul 17, 2024 8:08 pm

My new Grab n Go Rig is brilliant. I can't wait to use it some more. When I first got the mount the RA and Dec axes were quite stiff, so upon the...

0 Replies

3341 Views

Last post by Graeme1858
Wed Jul 17, 2024 8:08 pm
SCT cart ideas

Last post by Mike Q « Mon Jun 17, 2024 9:13 am
Replies: 21
by Mike Q » Sun Mar 03, 2024 4:48 pm
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2
First post

Later on this year i will be getting into the SCT game. If you have made a cart for it out of wood, please drop a picture of it in your reply. I need...

Last post

After one use and several trips around the drive and yard i decided to add a support to where the wheels mount, it just helps keep the wheels from...
21 Replies

8433 Views

Last post by Mike Q
Mon Jun 17, 2024 9:13 am
Focuser sometimes does not engage

Last post by Gordon « Fri May 31, 2024 6:44 pm
Replies: 1
by Freelancer » Fri May 31, 2024 2:06 pm

First post

My 8 Orion Dob is a pleasure to use, except for one thing. When all the way in, the focuser seems to need help initially engaging the friction that...

Last post

Your focuser is a Crayford type focuser. You should be able to adjust the tension by tightening a small set screw just below the locking screw on the...

1 Replies

3265 Views

Last post by Gordon
Fri May 31, 2024 6:44 pm
My garbage find/possible new project

Last post by messier 111 « Sun Apr 21, 2024 1:04 am
Replies: 19
by Thefatkitty » Sat Apr 13, 2024 12:38 pm

First post

G'day all :D

It's been a lousy week for weather here. The eclipse was a bust for me on Monday, and the past two days have been rainy and cold, with...

Last post

This seems to be a very interesting project.
keep us posted on developments.

19 Replies

7219 Views

Last post by messier 111
Sun Apr 21, 2024 1:04 am
Celestron NexStar 130 SLT

Last post by JayTee « Mon Apr 15, 2024 7:33 pm
Replies: 4
by Graeme1858 » Sat Apr 13, 2024 1:41 pm

First post

Inspired by Mark's My garbage find/possible new project I need to ask, what do we all think of this:

A Celestron NexStar 130 SLT 130mm f/5...

Last post

Hi Graeme,

Since that auction is an or Best Offer , I would offer him £100 and see if he takes it. If not, go up to 125 lbs and see if he takes it....

4 Replies

4018 Views

Last post by JayTee
Mon Apr 15, 2024 7:33 pm
Right Angle Viewfinder for Polar Scope

Last post by Lady Fraktor « Sat Mar 23, 2024 8:06 pm
Replies: 8
by StarBru » Sun Oct 22, 2023 12:23 am

First post

You can buy right angle SLR film camera viewfinders with or without an adapter for your polar scope, but since I already had an Olympus viewfinder, I...

Last post

StarBru
This is the reason when going to remote locations I always take a radio with me.
Most animals will avoid you after that.

8 Replies

5262 Views

Last post by Lady Fraktor
Sat Mar 23, 2024 8:06 pm
power octopus

Last post by OzEclipse « Sun Dec 17, 2023 6:08 am
Replies: 3
by Star Dad » Sat Dec 09, 2023 10:01 pm

First post

Has anyone come across a 120VAC/12VDC octopus output... that is a power supply with, say, 4 12V output leads? I've found a couple of 120/12V power...

Last post

I use one of these connected to a 120AH Lithium battery.

It's a multifunctional system that fills three roles. I made it non-permanent so that...

3 Replies

4674 Views

Last post by OzEclipse
Sun Dec 17, 2023 6:08 am
New Pi4b controller + power unit

Last post by Star Dad « Sat Dec 09, 2023 9:55 pm
Replies: 8
by SkyHiker » Fri Dec 08, 2023 6:28 am

First post

I recently ditched my first DIY rig consisting of a Pi4b, 12/5 DCDC and 7-port powered USB2 hub on a too-large plywood frame to a Pi4b + Pegasus...

Last post

I have found that with a cooled camera (ie ASI294M-C) that even when there is frost on the outside of my Newtonion scope, the secondary (and so far...

8 Replies

4850 Views

Last post by Star Dad
Sat Dec 09, 2023 9:55 pm
Anyone used an Arduino for driving an equatorial mount?

Last post by SkyHiker « Fri Dec 08, 2023 2:11 pm
Replies: 2
by Kilohertz » Wed Nov 08, 2023 3:27 am

First post

I'm planning on building a nice sturdy equatorial mount system this winter and want to experiment with a small prebuilt Meade or Bushnell to figure...

Last post

Let me add that there is one gotcha that I haven't yet figured out. I use a direct drive, meaning no timing belts or cog wheels. The required...

2 Replies

4192 Views

Last post by SkyHiker
Fri Dec 08, 2023 2:11 pm
Diy Sct mirror stability collet locks

Last post by yobbo89 « Sun Nov 05, 2023 11:08 am
Replies: 22
by yobbo89 » Mon Jul 03, 2023 10:46 pm
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2
First post

I havnt used my 12 meade sct In a while, I actually hate it and kind of regret not buying a Ritchey Chretien astrograph instead, I've pulled the...

Last post

did some test,helix is pulling away to the lower west so might be hard to collect data, thor's helmet which i did not know was viewable in the...
22 Replies

10333 Views

Last post by yobbo89
Sun Nov 05, 2023 11:08 am
A telescope mount

Last post by messier 111 « Sun Oct 29, 2023 11:00 pm
Replies: 2
by Thefatkitty » Sun Oct 29, 2023 9:40 pm

First post

Judging by the title of this thread, I can imagine you're thinking, So is it an EQ or an Alt-Az that you built?

Neither. I have two EQ's and three...

Last post

nice work, the cg4 is without a doubt the most underestimated mount, very solid for its size and works year after year. thx.

2 Replies

3678 Views

Last post by messier 111
Sun Oct 29, 2023 11:00 pm
Repairing my F5 refractor

Last post by yobbo89 « Wed Oct 18, 2023 6:39 pm
Replies: 13
by John Baars » Tue Oct 17, 2023 3:30 pm

First post

With a big bang, my F5 Startravel refractor came to rest on the floor from a side table. Swept off its spot by a diligent cleaner's shirt stuck...

Last post

very nice,some skill set you have

13 Replies

5262 Views

Last post by yobbo89
Wed Oct 18, 2023 6:39 pm
Unfinished Dobson Mirror Mount project for 20x80mm binoculars

Last post by StarBru « Tue Aug 15, 2023 3:07 am
Replies: 7
by StarBru » Mon Aug 14, 2023 12:17 am

First post

I probably found this idea somewhere on the internet, and I don't know if any of it is original thought, probably not! But here is a binocular mirror...

Last post

Here's a website that lets you specify the size then returns the price. You can specify 1/4 or 1/8 lambda. Best to sit down before hitting Calculate...

7 Replies

4590 Views

Last post by StarBru
Tue Aug 15, 2023 3:07 am
Mini Tripod for my Starblast 6i

Last post by Ylem « Mon Jul 17, 2023 10:23 pm
Replies: 8
by Big_Eight » Thu Sep 24, 2020 4:04 am

First post

I threw together a mini tripod for my starblast 6i. This put the tabletop scope to the correct viewing height and it works great! Just thought I'd...

Last post

Very nice 👍

Also a very capable scope!

8 Replies

9869 Views

Last post by Ylem
Mon Jul 17, 2023 10:23 pm
A pretty easy-build folding chair/stool some might like for observing.

Last post by Makuser « Mon Jun 05, 2023 7:57 pm
Replies: 10
by OleCuss » Sun Jun 04, 2023 4:30 am

First post

I think this might be worth sharing: He gives a cut list along with some other information which you can download.

It folds up pretty well and the...

Last post

Hi OC. This looks like a nice DIY portable chair. Thanks for finding and sharing this link with us on here OC and it is great to see you back again...

10 Replies

6495 Views

Last post by Makuser
Mon Jun 05, 2023 7:57 pm
Making a new solar filter for my ED80 refractor

Last post by OzEclipse « Sun Mar 12, 2023 8:44 am

by OzEclipse » Sun Mar 12, 2023 8:44 am

Some of you will have had me respond to your posts about solar filters by pointing you to an article on my website about constructing a holder for...

0 Replies

3677 Views

Last post by OzEclipse
Sun Mar 12, 2023 8:44 am
Accessory rail for Nexstar 8i SE

Last post by Lady Fraktor « Tue Feb 07, 2023 7:06 pm
Replies: 2
by MaxBlancke » Tue Feb 07, 2023 12:31 am

First post

Last week, I discovered that the plastic mount for the sighting scope on my 8i SE had broken off and disappeared. I thought it best to install a...

Last post

A good idea!

2 Replies

4110 Views

Last post by Lady Fraktor
Tue Feb 07, 2023 7:06 pm
Alt / Az mounting my OMC140

Last post by John Baars « Sat Dec 24, 2022 10:30 pm
Replies: 3
by John Baars » Sat Dec 24, 2022 2:40 pm

First post

My OMC140 ( 140mm Maksutov) was actually always a tad heavy for the Alt/Az mount my GrabnGo 102mm Maksutov normally sits on.
The little 102mm Mak has...

Last post

Well done John! I do the same with ES Twilight 1 when observing with 8 SCT, improves observing considerably. Unfortunately, it does not work with...

3 Replies

4342 Views

Last post by John Baars
Sat Dec 24, 2022 10:30 pm
Low Budget Solar Viewer

Last post by Lady Fraktor « Thu Dec 01, 2022 5:25 am
Replies: 2
by chartram » Thu Dec 01, 2022 1:35 am

First post

Hello,

Apologies if this has been covered already. This is a super cheap DIY solar viewing setup.

Ingredients:

- 3gal bucket
- ultra flat black...

Last post

Very cool!
This is something like a solar funnel?

I use refractors from achro doublets to oil spaced triplet with a herschel wedge without issue....

2 Replies

4448 Views

Last post by Lady Fraktor
Thu Dec 01, 2022 5:25 am
New insulation- jacket for 140 mm Maksutov

Last post by messier 111 « Tue Nov 29, 2022 2:48 pm
Replies: 5
by John Baars » Mon Nov 28, 2022 2:24 pm

First post

Well, if you're still busy sticking radiator foil behind the radiators of the heating, you might as well replace the old insulation jacket of the...

Last post

what ? don't you look at the stars in a tuxedo?
seriously if it works why not.
you can spend more time looking at the stars.
good thing.

5 Replies

4857 Views

Last post by messier 111
Tue Nov 29, 2022 2:48 pm

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