Creative DIY

[mcolbert]

browsing another forum I came across a sticky devoted to 'non-astronomical items used for astronomy'. It is a fascinating collection of hints, tips and cleverness of application. I wonder then if a similar thread could be launched on this site because the more information available to the amateur can only be of benefit to everyone in the field.

[Lady Fraktor]

Just start a thread in the DIY and we can always put them together in a "best of" later.

[NikkiT]

Hi, Not very high tech but to get the ball rolling.
A few months ago I bought a yoga mat for just a few pounds.
So far I have used it to make a dew shield and a non-slip cover for my camping/observing table.
And there is still plenty left!

[KingNothing13]

I haven't had to do this - but a while back, I remember conversations about the "Milk Jug Washer" for certain Dobs - to smooth out the movement.

Basically make a washer out of a milk jug and attach to the screw that attaches the mount to the bottom board (correct?)

[avid.astronomer]

There are so many things from so many stores... almost every store can be an astro shop for the DIY'er.

Pharmacy - eye patch (to keep observing eye dark adapted when not using it), air puffer (to blow dust off eyepieces)
Hardware store and/or gun shop - Foam-lined eyepiece and scope cases, reflex finder scopes, mounting hardware, electronic altimeter
Fabric store - flocking for interior of telescope

[KingNothing13]

There are so many things from so many stores... almost every store can be an astro shop for the DIY'er.

Pharmacy - eye patch (to keep observing eye dark adapted when not using it)

I also use it to cover my non-observing eye when observing so I can keep it open while observing - makes for a more relaxing experience for me.

[mcolbert]

Hi, Not very high tech but to get the ball rolling.
A few months ago I bought a yoga mat for just a few pounds.
So far I have used it to make a dew shield and a non-slip cover for my camping/observing table.
And there is still plenty left!

I have also seen the suggestion that mats like this could also replace foam in eyepiece cases.

[mcolbert]

There are so many things from so many stores... almost every store can be an astro shop for the DIY'er.

Pharmacy - eye patch (to keep observing eye dark adapted when not using it), air puffer (to blow dust off eyepieces)
Hardware store and/or gun shop - Foam-lined eyepiece and scope cases, reflex finder scopes, mounting hardware, electronic altimeter
Fabric store - flocking for interior of telescope

staying on the ball as it were and forever living in the 'astro-moment'.

[mcolbert]

I am looking to adapt containers for 2" Eps. I will be using 70mm film canisters as below.



Foam inserts and possibly caps for the bottom of the container for added stability (sourced from Agena?)

Currently the external walls are being cleaned prior to paint removal and application of a rust free undercoat and then a final coat.

It doesn't really matter that I don't have any 2" EPs.

[JayTee]

I use these little foam-lined aluminum cases from Harbor Freight. They hold 2 large 2" EPs. Large like the ES 30mm 82°AFOV (the holy hand grenade) large! Plus they are not very expensive.
https://www.harborfreight.com/11-12-x-7 ... 69316.html

Cheers,
JT

[helicon]

On my second home-made dob (6" f/5) I used two mayonnaise jar lids for the side bearings. Worked because a) they were the right size b) the OTA was quite light c) they were lying in the junk drawer in the kitchen.

[Chich]

I have posted this on other forums but may as well put it here too.

I use pill containers for my smaller EPs. The price is right and most have tabs that make them easy to open in the dark. I put a small bit of foam in for cushioning. Write the FL on the cap.

[Chich]

I made one of these a few years back. Quick and cheap and effective. Just uses a sheet of hobby foam and some stick on velcro tabs.

http://www.homebuiltastronomy.com/downb ... hield.html

[bladekeeper]

Good stuff on HomeBuiltAstronomy!

I've made the telrad dewshield as well. I also use the same craft foam for RACI and other finderscope dewshields.

And empty prescriptions bottles work well for RACI eyepiece dew shields. Easy to pop on and off while observing and you don't have to worry about losing the little black dust cap in the dark.

[pakarinen]

Not sure, but I think yoga mats would be much cheaper than pluck foam. OTOH, you would have to cut and then drill or punch the mats. Or one could try stacking craft foam sheets - they're about a buck a piece at Hobby Lobby.

I bought an Apache pluck foam case from Harbor Freight for EPs, so take the above with a grain of salt.

[Thefatkitty]

Well, a while back I made an eyepiece tray for my 4.5" dob from some aluminum tent pegs and a piece of aluminum from an old window screen....http://www.ncc-1701.ca/tasco4_5/#eyepiece


Not being able to afford a Twilight II mount, a couple-few years ago I made this:

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The scopes do line up. &$20 worth of pipe and fittings at the hardware store, and an old tripod.


For the solar-heads among us, there's always the Sun-finder:

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A 1-1/4" wide L-bracket firms up nicely in a Synta-style finder mount, just add a piece of plastic and a long bolt


If you have an old .965" diagonal, some of them do pair well with the typical neck-wrecking 6X30 straight-through finderscope. The bracket is from an old bicycle and a bent piece of flat bar aluminum:

Image1.jpg

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Hopefully it's pretty self explanatory. Before attempting this, make sure the front objective on the finderscope is adjusted to be in the "middle" ; as in some room to go in or out. Then put the crosshair part of the finderscope onto the diagonal, and hold the objective part in front of that, and find focus on the Moon, for example. You may want someone to make the measurement as you hold all this in place. If the pieces are a bit loose, some margarine container plastic works well for shims.


I do have a clamshell and a few other things I made, but you would need a MIG or a TIG welder, and I have to think more of us don't have one than do, so I'll just skip that

That's pretty much it for me; some great ideas on here too!

All the best,

Mark

[Lady Fraktor]

Some great ideas Mark!

[Chich]

I'm sure most are aware of this amazing device, but posting in case a few might not.
Portable. Reasonably quick to set up. Rotates to a new field of view easily.
Also good for bird watching.
Note that the snappy hat and boots are pricey extravagant extras and not included in the price.

[bladekeeper]

I'm sure most are aware of this amazing device, but posting in case a few might not.
Portable. Reasonably quick to set up. Rotates to a new field of view easily.
Also good for bird watching.
Note that the snappy hat and boots are pricey extravagant extras and not included in the price.

Excellent!

I did a similar thing with an inflatable pool lounger! I still have it though it has not been used for that purpose in a long while.

I may need to pull it out and relive the glory days of 5 years ago.

[Thefatkitty]

I'm sure most are aware of this amazing device, but posting in case a few might not.
Portable. Reasonably quick to set up. Rotates to a new field of view easily.
Also good for bird watching.
Note that the snappy hat and boots are pricey extravagant extras and not included in the price.

That is freakin' brilliant! I know what I'm buying after work tomorrow..... thanks for the idea!

All the best,