Tripod Stiffener/Stabilizer for a Meade Field Tripod

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JayTee United States of America
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Tripod Stiffener/Stabilizer for a Meade Field Tripod

#1

Post by JayTee »


I need to stabilize this tripod just a bit by inserting a "something" to make the legs more rigidly held in place. Basically, which shape is better - a circle or a triangle? And should it be slightly larger than the measured distance between tripod legs so it pushes them outwards applying tension?

Here's the tripod.
Meade Tripod.jpg
Cheers,
JT
∞ Primary Scopes: #1: Celestron CPC1100 #2: 8" f/7.5 Dob #3: CR150HD f/8 6" frac
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3
∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100
∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°

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Re: Tripod Stiffener/Stabilizer for a Meade Field Tripod

#2

Post by JimMinCT »


Have you tried hanging a weight from it?
OTA's: Kson 1026-C, 4" Carbon Fiber ED Refractor, Home-built, 6.1", f/2.? APO refractor... (In Progress) 8" Meade LX2 SCT Mounts: CGX Imaging: ZWO ASI 1600MM, Canon 550D (T2i) Software: PixInsight, APT, PHD2, SharpCap, SGP, Stellarium, Registax, Stuff: Astro-Tech 0.8x FR/FF, Hotech SCA FF, ZWO 7nm 31mm LRGB-SHO filter set, ZWO 8 position EFWObsy: "Maybe Spaceship" Observatory
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Re: Tripod Stiffener/Stabilizer for a Meade Field Tripod

#3

Post by JayTee »


JimMinCT wrote: Mon Feb 10, 2020 3:34 am Have you tried hanging a weight from it?
Hi ET,
I thought I would put in the stiffener/stabilizer first (as it will also double as an EP holder) before I do the weight hanging thing. Am I doing this bass-ackwards?

Cheers,
ET
∞ Primary Scopes: #1: Celestron CPC1100 #2: 8" f/7.5 Dob #3: CR150HD f/8 6" frac
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3
∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100
∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°

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Re: Tripod Stiffener/Stabilizer for a Meade Field Tripod

#4

Post by bladekeeper »


Bryan
Scopes: Apertura AD12 f/5; Celestron C6-R f/8; ES AR127 f/6.4; Stellarvue SV102T f/7; iOptron MC90 f/13.3; Orion ST80A f/5; ES ED80 f/6; Celestron Premium 80 f/11.4; Celestron C80 f/11.4; Unitron Model 142 f/16; Meade NG60 f/10
Mounts: Celestron AVX; Bresser EXOS-2; ES Twilight I; ES Twilight II; iOptron Cube-G; AZ3/wood tripod; Vixen Polaris
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Re: Tripod Stiffener/Stabilizer for a Meade Field Tripod

#5

Post by Bigzmey »


You can make a disk slightly larger than the distance between the legs and bolt it to the spreader at 4 points underneath of the spreader with long bolts to control the tension.

As an option you can insert small rubber pads (I use furniture/chair legs pads) between the disk and the legs.

You could do the same on top of the spreader, but in this case the disk needs to be slightly smaller, or you would not be able to insert it.
Scopes: Stellarvue: SV102ED; Celestron: 9.25" EdgeHD, 8" SCT, 150ST, Onyx 80ED; iOptron: Hankmeister 6" Mak; SW: 7" Mak; Meade: 80ST.
Mounts: SW: SkyTee2, AzGTi; iOptron: AZMP; ES: Twilight I; Bresser: EXOS2; UA: MicroStar.
Binos: APM: 100-90 APO; Canon: IS 15x50; Orion: Binoviewer, LG II 15x70, WV 10x50, Nikon: AE 16x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EPs: Pentax: XWs & XFs; TeleVue: Delites, Panoptic & Plossls; ES: 68, 62; Vixen: SLVs; Baader: BCOs, Aspherics, Mark IV.
Diagonals: Baader: BBHS mirror, Zeiss Spec T2 prism, Clicklock dielectric; TeleVue: Evebrite dielectric; AltairAstro: 2" prism.
Filters: Lumicon: DeepSky, UHC, OIII, H-beta; Baader: Moon & SkyGlow, Contrast Booster, UHC-S, 6-color set; Astronomik: UHC.

Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2382, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 255
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Re: Tripod Stiffener/Stabilizer for a Meade Field Tripod

#6

Post by JayTee »


Bigzmey wrote: Mon Feb 10, 2020 9:48 pm You can make a disk slightly larger than the distance between the legs and bolt it to the spreader at 4 points underneath of the spreader with long bolts to control the tension.

As an option you can insert small rubber pads (I use furniture/chair legs pads) between the disk and the legs.

You could do the same on top of the spreader, but in this case the disk needs to be slightly smaller, or you would not be able to insert it.
Thanks Andrey, that is very helpful.

If I size it correctly, does it really matter whether it goes on top of or below the flimsy spreader hardware?

Cheers,
JT
∞ Primary Scopes: #1: Celestron CPC1100 #2: 8" f/7.5 Dob #3: CR150HD f/8 6" frac
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3
∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100
∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°

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Re: Tripod Stiffener/Stabilizer for a Meade Field Tripod

#7

Post by Bigzmey »


JayTee wrote: Mon Feb 10, 2020 10:35 pm
Bigzmey wrote: Mon Feb 10, 2020 9:48 pm You can make a disk slightly larger than the distance between the legs and bolt it to the spreader at 4 points underneath of the spreader with long bolts to control the tension.

As an option you can insert small rubber pads (I use furniture/chair legs pads) between the disk and the legs.

You could do the same on top of the spreader, but in this case the disk needs to be slightly smaller, or you would not be able to insert it.
Thanks Andrey, that is very helpful.

If I size it correctly, does it really matter whether it goes on top of or below the flimsy spreader hardware?

Cheers,
JT
Since the legs converging up, it will be easier to make the contact with all 3 legs and apply the pressure from below. This is how spreaders work on most of the mounts. In fact I would suggest to make the disk a bit wider to insure that the pressure is applied when you tide it in.

Another and potentially more stable option is to make two disks (smaller on top, larger on bottom).
Scopes: Stellarvue: SV102ED; Celestron: 9.25" EdgeHD, 8" SCT, 150ST, Onyx 80ED; iOptron: Hankmeister 6" Mak; SW: 7" Mak; Meade: 80ST.
Mounts: SW: SkyTee2, AzGTi; iOptron: AZMP; ES: Twilight I; Bresser: EXOS2; UA: MicroStar.
Binos: APM: 100-90 APO; Canon: IS 15x50; Orion: Binoviewer, LG II 15x70, WV 10x50, Nikon: AE 16x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EPs: Pentax: XWs & XFs; TeleVue: Delites, Panoptic & Plossls; ES: 68, 62; Vixen: SLVs; Baader: BCOs, Aspherics, Mark IV.
Diagonals: Baader: BBHS mirror, Zeiss Spec T2 prism, Clicklock dielectric; TeleVue: Evebrite dielectric; AltairAstro: 2" prism.
Filters: Lumicon: DeepSky, UHC, OIII, H-beta; Baader: Moon & SkyGlow, Contrast Booster, UHC-S, 6-color set; Astronomik: UHC.

Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2382, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 255
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Re: Tripod Stiffener/Stabilizer for a Meade Field Tripod

#8

Post by JayTee »


Bigzmey wrote: Mon Feb 10, 2020 10:45 pmSince the legs converging up, it will be easier to make the contact with all 3 legs and apply the pressure from below. This is how spreaders work on most of the mounts. In fact, I would suggest making the disk a bit wider to ensure that the pressure is applied when you tie it in.

Another and potentially more stable option is to make two disks (smaller on top, larger on bottom).
Thank you,

I'll be constructing this new stabilizer/accessory this week. I'll post pictures to show how I accomplished this mod.

Cheers,
JT
∞ Primary Scopes: #1: Celestron CPC1100 #2: 8" f/7.5 Dob #3: CR150HD f/8 6" frac
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3
∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100
∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°

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Re: Tripod Stiffener/Stabilizer for a Meade Field Tripod

#9

Post by Bigzmey »


JayTee wrote: Mon Feb 10, 2020 10:48 pm
Bigzmey wrote: Mon Feb 10, 2020 10:45 pmSince the legs converging up, it will be easier to make the contact with all 3 legs and apply the pressure from below. This is how spreaders work on most of the mounts. In fact, I would suggest making the disk a bit wider to ensure that the pressure is applied when you tie it in.

Another and potentially more stable option is to make two disks (smaller on top, larger on bottom).
Thank you,

I'll be constructing this new stabilizer/accessory this week. I'll post pictures to show how I accomplished this mod.

Cheers,
JT
Should be fun. Will you use plywood?
Scopes: Stellarvue: SV102ED; Celestron: 9.25" EdgeHD, 8" SCT, 150ST, Onyx 80ED; iOptron: Hankmeister 6" Mak; SW: 7" Mak; Meade: 80ST.
Mounts: SW: SkyTee2, AzGTi; iOptron: AZMP; ES: Twilight I; Bresser: EXOS2; UA: MicroStar.
Binos: APM: 100-90 APO; Canon: IS 15x50; Orion: Binoviewer, LG II 15x70, WV 10x50, Nikon: AE 16x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EPs: Pentax: XWs & XFs; TeleVue: Delites, Panoptic & Plossls; ES: 68, 62; Vixen: SLVs; Baader: BCOs, Aspherics, Mark IV.
Diagonals: Baader: BBHS mirror, Zeiss Spec T2 prism, Clicklock dielectric; TeleVue: Evebrite dielectric; AltairAstro: 2" prism.
Filters: Lumicon: DeepSky, UHC, OIII, H-beta; Baader: Moon & SkyGlow, Contrast Booster, UHC-S, 6-color set; Astronomik: UHC.

Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2382, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 255
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Re: Tripod Stiffener/Stabilizer for a Meade Field Tripod

#10

Post by Bigzmey »


These are the pads, I was talking about. You can wrap them around the disk edge.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Shepherd-2- ... /202514361
Scopes: Stellarvue: SV102ED; Celestron: 9.25" EdgeHD, 8" SCT, 150ST, Onyx 80ED; iOptron: Hankmeister 6" Mak; SW: 7" Mak; Meade: 80ST.
Mounts: SW: SkyTee2, AzGTi; iOptron: AZMP; ES: Twilight I; Bresser: EXOS2; UA: MicroStar.
Binos: APM: 100-90 APO; Canon: IS 15x50; Orion: Binoviewer, LG II 15x70, WV 10x50, Nikon: AE 16x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EPs: Pentax: XWs & XFs; TeleVue: Delites, Panoptic & Plossls; ES: 68, 62; Vixen: SLVs; Baader: BCOs, Aspherics, Mark IV.
Diagonals: Baader: BBHS mirror, Zeiss Spec T2 prism, Clicklock dielectric; TeleVue: Evebrite dielectric; AltairAstro: 2" prism.
Filters: Lumicon: DeepSky, UHC, OIII, H-beta; Baader: Moon & SkyGlow, Contrast Booster, UHC-S, 6-color set; Astronomik: UHC.

Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2382, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 255
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Re: Tripod Stiffener/Stabilizer for a Meade Field Tripod

#11

Post by JayTee »


Bigzmey wrote: Mon Feb 10, 2020 10:51 pmShould be fun. Will you use plywood?
Yes, I have a sheet of 3/8" plywood that I had planned on using. I also have a large amount of 5/8" composite used for kitchen cabinet shelves. I'm not sure I want to use that because it is dense and heavy. What do you think?
Thanks for the link to the pads. I was wracking my brain for what I should use. I came up with either cutting up a tennis ball or a racquetball and using slices of it. I think the already made pads are a better idea, especially at that price.

When you say wrap them around the disk edge, do you mean where the disk makes contact with the tripod leg?

Cheers,
JT
∞ Primary Scopes: #1: Celestron CPC1100 #2: 8" f/7.5 Dob #3: CR150HD f/8 6" frac
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3
∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100
∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°

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Re: Tripod Stiffener/Stabilizer for a Meade Field Tripod

#12

Post by Bigzmey »


JayTee wrote: Mon Feb 10, 2020 11:11 pm When you say wrap them around the disk edge, do you mean where the disk makes contact with the tripod leg?
Correct, at the points of contact. They will help to make better contact with legs and protect the edge from chipping.

I think both plywood and composite are suitable. I would go with plywood, because it is easier to work with.

However, if you have right tools, composite will resist better to warping and may provide a bit more stability
Scopes: Stellarvue: SV102ED; Celestron: 9.25" EdgeHD, 8" SCT, 150ST, Onyx 80ED; iOptron: Hankmeister 6" Mak; SW: 7" Mak; Meade: 80ST.
Mounts: SW: SkyTee2, AzGTi; iOptron: AZMP; ES: Twilight I; Bresser: EXOS2; UA: MicroStar.
Binos: APM: 100-90 APO; Canon: IS 15x50; Orion: Binoviewer, LG II 15x70, WV 10x50, Nikon: AE 16x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EPs: Pentax: XWs & XFs; TeleVue: Delites, Panoptic & Plossls; ES: 68, 62; Vixen: SLVs; Baader: BCOs, Aspherics, Mark IV.
Diagonals: Baader: BBHS mirror, Zeiss Spec T2 prism, Clicklock dielectric; TeleVue: Evebrite dielectric; AltairAstro: 2" prism.
Filters: Lumicon: DeepSky, UHC, OIII, H-beta; Baader: Moon & SkyGlow, Contrast Booster, UHC-S, 6-color set; Astronomik: UHC.

Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2382, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 255
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Re: Tripod Stiffener/Stabilizer for a Meade Field Tripod

#13

Post by GCoyote »


JayTee wrote: Mon Feb 10, 2020 11:11 pm
Bigzmey wrote: Mon Feb 10, 2020 10:51 pmShould be fun. Will you use plywood?
Yes, I have a sheet of 3/8" plywood that I had planned on using. I also have a large amount of 5/8" composite used for kitchen cabinet shelves. I'm not sure I want to use that because it is dense and heavy. What do you think?
Thanks for the link to the pads. I was wracking my brain for what I should use. I came up with either cutting up a tennis ball or a racquetball and using slices of it. I think the already made pads are a better idea, especially at that price.

When you say wrap them around the disk edge, do you mean where the disk makes contact with the tripod leg?

Cheers,
JT
I'm basically doing the same project but I'm not quite ready to start making sawdust yet.
I've already found a spare J-bolt to fit in the center hole of the spreader so I can hang a weight. Now that I see what you are doing, I'll use it to hold up the plywood disk from below and use a wing nut on top to get the required tension.

Keep posting pics.
Any metaphor will tear if stretched over too much reality.
Gary C

Celestron Astro Master 130mm f5 Newtonian GEM
Meade 114-EQ-DH f7.9 Newtonian w/ manual GEM
Bushnell 90mm f13.9 Catadioptric
Gskyer 80mm f5 Alt/Az refractor
Jason 10x50 Binoculars
Celestron 7x50 Binoculars
Svbony 2.1x42 Binoculars
(And a bunch of stuff I'm still trying to fix or find parts for.)
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Re: Tripod Stiffener/Stabilizer for a Meade Field Tripod

#14

Post by Lady Fraktor »


The easiest way to stabilize these tripods is to get rid of the points of flexure which I have highlighted in the post referenced in posting #4
Adding extra weight to these tripods only increases weight and puts more force on the already flexing points, instead of actually fixing you are just jamming things together tighter.
No real advantage by doing it.
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Re: Tripod Stiffener/Stabilizer for a Meade Field Tripod

#15

Post by GCoyote »


JayTee wrote: Mon Feb 10, 2020 10:48 pm
Bigzmey wrote: Mon Feb 10, 2020 10:45 pmSince the legs converging up, it will be easier to make the contact with all 3 legs and apply the pressure from below. This is how spreaders work on most of the mounts. In fact, I would suggest making the disk a bit wider to ensure that the pressure is applied when you tie it in.

Another and potentially more stable option is to make two disks (smaller on top, larger on bottom).
Thank you,

I'll be constructing this new stabilizer/accessory this week. I'll post pictures to show how I accomplished this mod.

Cheers,
JT
How did it go?
Any metaphor will tear if stretched over too much reality.
Gary C

Celestron Astro Master 130mm f5 Newtonian GEM
Meade 114-EQ-DH f7.9 Newtonian w/ manual GEM
Bushnell 90mm f13.9 Catadioptric
Gskyer 80mm f5 Alt/Az refractor
Jason 10x50 Binoculars
Celestron 7x50 Binoculars
Svbony 2.1x42 Binoculars
(And a bunch of stuff I'm still trying to fix or find parts for.)
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Re: Tripod Stiffener/Stabilizer for a Meade Field Tripod

#16

Post by JayTee »


It hasn't gone yet.

Day-to-day life got in the way. I was in a minor traffic accident which put my car out of commission. I had to find a new residential care facility for my mom. And a myriad bunch of other things that get in the way of stuff that I have on the front burner and this project is still on the front burner. It's just that there's a lot of other stuff on the front burner right now too.

Thanks for asking though and I will update this post when I am able to crank something out.

Cheers,
JT
∞ Primary Scopes: #1: Celestron CPC1100 #2: 8" f/7.5 Dob #3: CR150HD f/8 6" frac
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3
∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100
∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°

Searching the skies since 1966. "I never met a scope I didn't want to keep."

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GCoyote United States of America
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Re: Tripod Stiffener/Stabilizer for a Meade Field Tripod

#17

Post by GCoyote »


JayTee wrote: Fri Mar 06, 2020 8:57 am It hasn't gone yet.

Day-to-day life got in the way. I was in a minor traffic accident which put my car out of commission. I had to find a new residential care facility for my mom. And a myriad bunch of other things that get in the way of stuff that I have on the front burner and this project is still on the front burner. It's just that there's a lot of other stuff on the front burner right now too.

Thanks for asking though and I will update this post when I am able to crank something out.

Cheers,
JT
Sorry to hear things had gotten pear-shaped! Hope life sorts itself out for you soon. We'll still be here.
Any metaphor will tear if stretched over too much reality.
Gary C

Celestron Astro Master 130mm f5 Newtonian GEM
Meade 114-EQ-DH f7.9 Newtonian w/ manual GEM
Bushnell 90mm f13.9 Catadioptric
Gskyer 80mm f5 Alt/Az refractor
Jason 10x50 Binoculars
Celestron 7x50 Binoculars
Svbony 2.1x42 Binoculars
(And a bunch of stuff I'm still trying to fix or find parts for.)
Burris
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Re: Tripod Stiffener/Stabilizer for a Meade Field Tripod

#18

Post by Burris »


I have an ETX-125 that came with the deluxe field tripod. Round stainless steel legs with a spreader tray that can be tensioned from underneath with a large wing nut. It works very well! Bill
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