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Tripod Stiffener/Stabilizer for a Meade Field Tripod
Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2020 3:29 am
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.
Cheers,
JT
Re: Tripod Stiffener/Stabilizer for a Meade Field Tripod
Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2020 3:34 am
by JimMinCT
Have you tried hanging a weight from it?
Re: Tripod Stiffener/Stabilizer for a Meade Field Tripod
Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2020 3:50 am
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
Re: Tripod Stiffener/Stabilizer for a Meade Field Tripod
Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2020 4:11 am
by bladekeeper
Re: Tripod Stiffener/Stabilizer for a Meade Field Tripod
Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2020 9:48 pm
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.
Re: Tripod Stiffener/Stabilizer for a Meade Field Tripod
Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2020 10:35 pm
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
Re: Tripod Stiffener/Stabilizer for a Meade Field Tripod
Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2020 10:45 pm
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).
Re: Tripod Stiffener/Stabilizer for a Meade Field Tripod
Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2020 10:48 pm
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
Re: Tripod Stiffener/Stabilizer for a Meade Field Tripod
Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2020 10:51 pm
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?
Re: Tripod Stiffener/Stabilizer for a Meade Field Tripod
Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2020 11:07 pm
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
Re: Tripod Stiffener/Stabilizer for a Meade Field Tripod
Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2020 11:11 pm
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
Re: Tripod Stiffener/Stabilizer for a Meade Field Tripod
Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2020 11:35 pm
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
Re: Tripod Stiffener/Stabilizer for a Meade Field Tripod
Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2020 11:37 pm
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.
Re: Tripod Stiffener/Stabilizer for a Meade Field Tripod
Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2020 11:15 pm
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.
Re: Tripod Stiffener/Stabilizer for a Meade Field Tripod
Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2020 6:01 pm
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?
Re: Tripod Stiffener/Stabilizer for a Meade Field Tripod
Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2020 8:57 am
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
Re: Tripod Stiffener/Stabilizer for a Meade Field Tripod
Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2020 1:18 am
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.
Re: Tripod Stiffener/Stabilizer for a Meade Field Tripod
Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2020 6:14 am
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