Dobsonian base for Starblast 4.5

[Seadawg216]

Although I'm still planning on getting a Starblast 6, I couldn't pass up a Starblast 4.5 EQ for $50. I really didn't want the EQ mount, but I'm learning. I bought a 32mm, a 20mm, & a Barlow to go with it. Nice scope. That said, I would prefer putting it on a dobsonian base. I cannot find one anywhere so are there any ideas? I would also consider an altaz mount but can't figure out which one the OTA would mount to. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Thefatkitty]

I did this for a good friend on here.... Tasco 4.5" Dob, the f/l is longer than your Starblast, but the general idea is there. I'm not a woodworker, but it works well for me

All the best,

[helicon]

Here are some instructions for building your own Dob mount. Hope this helps.

https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/advi ... ian-mount/

[turonrambar]

Hello Seadawg216,

Welcome to the TSS forums.

I looked up your "StarBlast 6" scope on the google search engine, nice scope.
I cut my teeth on 6" reflector with a EQ mount and I liked it. The scope's f stop
was fast and I remember observing the ring nebula in its colors. That wouldn't happen
with a Meade LX200 8" f/10.

You know, I would call Orion telescope and ask them their opinion of changing to a alt/az
configuration with your scope. They might have a simple solution for you, and I can't imagine
what the solution would be, except buying a different mount and hardware to your
telescope so you could mount like a Dobsonian. Maybe they would sell you a alt/az
mount?

Good Luck, and
Clear Skies

kip

[Lady Fraktor]

Welcome to the forums
Have fun with the project.

[Graeme1858]

Hello Seadawg216

Welcome to the forum.

Good luck setting up your StarBlast.

Regards

Graeme

[Gordon]

Welcome to TSS.

[Makuser]

Hello Seadawg. We're all happy to have you aboard here at TSS. Welcome to the forum Seadawg, and the best of wishes on your StarBlast base/mount project.

[terrynak]

I have a StarBlast 4.5EQ which I haven't used in a while - I used it on an alt-az mount at first because I didn't know how to use an EQ.

I got a dovetail bar and attached the rings to that, and then I mounted the bar and rings to a Vixen Mini-Porta mount with a dovetail saddle. All astronomical alt-az mounts have a dovetail mount.

Since learning how to use an EQ, I now have it back on an EQ1-type mount. I also own a StarBlast 6 as well, which I got before the 4.5.

[Seadawg216]

Sorry for the delay on my response. I think it had something to do with a microscopic critter:) All great info thank you. Orion did get back to me & suggested an 8" plate to mount the rings. What I ended up doing was buying an Svbony 8" aluminum dovetail plate which has slots so the rings could be mounted anywhere along the plate. Then I attached that to a quick release plate & mounted it on a heavy duty fluid pan head movie camera tripod which I forgot I had. You know, the ones from the 90's that used vcr tape? It was 3x as heavy as the OTA. Now it works just like the alt-az I was looking for. No fine tuning, but I'm finding that I don't need it since I'm not into AP. There is a balancing act, but I found a sweet spot. Much easier than the EQ mount. Been having fun.