Tripod Rubber Boot

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515bonner United States of America
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Tripod Rubber Boot

#1

Post by 515bonner »


My iOptron CEM40, has seen a lot use. The rubber "boot" that is on the end of the tripod legs isn't much to write home about. Soft rubber.
One of mine came off earlier in the year (split), and today another one decided to split and remove itself from the leg, and now the bare metal is showing.
I thought these were threaded but apparently not, so fitting it with a swivel pad is out (stud is .350" which is oddball anyway - to big for 5/16NC and too small for 3/8NC ).
Do you guys do anything different or do you just let it go?? Any suggestions?

Rob
14.5" f/5.3 Starmaster with Sky Commander XP4 | 9.25" Celestron SCT | 8" f/7 Starmaster (only 5 made) with Sky Commander V3
6" f/12 Orion 150mm Mak | 4" f/9 Celestron Refractor (Vixen) | 80mm f4 unbranded refractor
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515bonner United States of America
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Re: Tripod Rubber Boot

#2

Post by 515bonner »


Here is a pick of the end of the tripod leg with the rubber tip gone....
20201226_171628~2.jpg
14.5" f/5.3 Starmaster with Sky Commander XP4 | 9.25" Celestron SCT | 8" f/7 Starmaster (only 5 made) with Sky Commander V3
6" f/12 Orion 150mm Mak | 4" f/9 Celestron Refractor (Vixen) | 80mm f4 unbranded refractor
iOptron CEM40 | iOptron Cube Pro
Large Assortment of Nagler and Konig Eyepieces | ZWO ASI290MC & ZWO ASI120MM-s Cameras

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pakarinen United States of America
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Re: Tripod Rubber Boot

#3

Post by pakarinen »


Rubber tips for walking canes or photo tripods?
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515bonner United States of America
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Re: Tripod Rubber Boot

#4

Post by 515bonner »


pakarinen wrote: Sun Dec 27, 2020 11:15 am Rubber tips for walking canes or photo tripods?
Yeah, I checked on those at both McMaster-Carr and Carr Lane. Most of them start with a 1/2" - 3/4" diameter and go up.
I would need something smaller.
I think what I will do is see what we have available in the way of delrin or acetyl plastic at where I work part time, and machine something up that will have a press fit onto the tip.
Would be something around .350" ID x .625" OD x 3/4" long.
14.5" f/5.3 Starmaster with Sky Commander XP4 | 9.25" Celestron SCT | 8" f/7 Starmaster (only 5 made) with Sky Commander V3
6" f/12 Orion 150mm Mak | 4" f/9 Celestron Refractor (Vixen) | 80mm f4 unbranded refractor
iOptron CEM40 | iOptron Cube Pro
Large Assortment of Nagler and Konig Eyepieces | ZWO ASI290MC & ZWO ASI120MM-s Cameras

Member of the Astronomical Society of Kansas City / Astronomical League
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515bonner United States of America
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Re: Tripod Rubber Boot

#5

Post by 515bonner »


Thought I would do a little followup on the rubber tip problem.
I used some nylon (actually UHMW) and machined 3 tips to replace the old worn out rubber tips.
I made them larger. The old ones were about 9/16" in diameter and about around 5/8" long.
The new ones I made 3/4" in diameter and 1" long. Here is a comparison showing the new vs. the old
caps.jpg
I made the inside diameter to have a press fit. They tapped on nicely and doubt they will fall off.
If because of temperature changes they do, I will just epoxy them back on. These should last forever!
Here was the final result.
inplace.jpg
14.5" f/5.3 Starmaster with Sky Commander XP4 | 9.25" Celestron SCT | 8" f/7 Starmaster (only 5 made) with Sky Commander V3
6" f/12 Orion 150mm Mak | 4" f/9 Celestron Refractor (Vixen) | 80mm f4 unbranded refractor
iOptron CEM40 | iOptron Cube Pro
Large Assortment of Nagler and Konig Eyepieces | ZWO ASI290MC & ZWO ASI120MM-s Cameras

Member of the Astronomical Society of Kansas City / Astronomical League
Member of the British Astronomical Association
V.P. of Occultation Services, International Occultation Timing Association
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Lady Fraktor Slovakia
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Re: Tripod Rubber Boot

#6

Post by Lady Fraktor »


That looks good.
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Re: Tripod Rubber Boot

#7

Post by Richardl1743 »


I do see similar items online, Home Depot, though not as nice as yours.
Just ordered a CEM40
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