Tripod Spreaders

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Baskevo
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Tripod Spreaders

#1

Post by Baskevo »


Hi guys,

I have heard the weak link for the EQ6-R pro is the tripod, and leg spreaders are not a bad idea. They are ridiculously expensive though... I was wondering if anyone would be willing to share their home designs with me? There are a lot online, but I am hoping to cut through the noise and get it directly from the experts!

Thanks!
-James W.

Telescope: Explore Scientific 80mm FCD100 Triplet APO Refractor
Mount: EQ6-R Pro
Cameras: ZWO ASI1600mm Pro (Cooled) | Canon DSLR EOS T7i
Auto-guiding: ZWO ASI120mm-Mini + Astromania 50mm Guidescope

Filters: ZWO 31mm Ha/Oiii/Sii 7nm + LRGB | Orion 2" Skyglow Filter
Accessories: Explore Scientific 2" Field Flattener, ZWO EFW 8 Position
Software: APT, SharpCap Pro, PHD2, CPWI | PixInsight, DeepSkyStacker, Photoshop

Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/gp/186194203@N06/18B629
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gregl
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Re: Tripod Spreaders

#2

Post by gregl »


Well, I haven't made a spreader so I can't answer your question directly. But I note that the EQ6-R has a small spreader/eyepiece shelf under the head. What I'd do, then, is to use three bungee cords, one attached to each leg, about half-way down, and then attached to each other at the centerline under the tripod with a small ring, like an oversized key ring. That would be cheap, easy to install, and, I'd think, would dampen some of the vibration.

More weight is always helpful. You might add some weight to the center of the bungee arrangement above by hooking to it a gallon milk jug filled with water. That would add a little over 8 pounds to the tripod and being suspended by the bungees just might provide enough dampening to solve your problems. At any event, it shouldn't set you back more than a couple of bucks for the bungees and a few more bucks for the box of chocolate chip cookies you will need in order to consume the milk in the jug.
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John Fitzgerald United States of America
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Re: Tripod Spreaders

#3

Post by John Fitzgerald »


I am currently building a spreader for my Atlas/EQ6 tripod. It might be finished later today.
Double and multiple star observer. Over 3,500 unique pairs logged.

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John Fitzgerald United States of America
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Re: Tripod Spreaders

#4

Post by John Fitzgerald »


Here are some pics of the completed spreader on my Atlas tripod. The clamps to fasten the legs are two inch 100 kg capacity stage lighting clamps. Everything else was stuff I already had lying around in the garage. The small board clamped to the top of a leg is for the Nexus DSC to hang on.
Attachments
spreader3.jpg
Spreader2.jpg
spreader1.jpg
Double and multiple star observer. Over 3,500 unique pairs logged.

No good deed goes unpunished.
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Re: Tripod Spreaders

#5

Post by gregl »


The clamps John used look like truss clamps which you can get from McMaster Carr, mcmaster.com. They have a warehouse in Santa Fe Springs and you'd get them the next day if not the same day you order. Here are a bunch of truss clamps in different sizes https://www.mcmaster.com/truss-clamps. But since you are looking for an inexpensive solution, you might be able to cobble up some clamps made from wood that would work just as well.
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John Fitzgerald United States of America
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Re: Tripod Spreaders

#6

Post by John Fitzgerald »


I got my truss clamps ($15.99 for pack of 4) at Amazon. They are called stage lighting O-clamps.
Double and multiple star observer. Over 3,500 unique pairs logged.

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