Re: ATM Counterbalancing a Dobsonian

[Guy Brandenburg <gfbranden@earthlink.net>]

The problem is that your altitude bearings are too small. Look for
something (or make something) that will have around a 6" to 8" diameter,
and things will go much better -- personal experience. Also, you can
move the teflon sliders so that they are a bit farther apart. This is a
much better solution than weighting things.
Guy B

Don Heffernan wrote:
> 
> My high school daughter and I just completed a six inch Dobsonian
> yesterday and we are having trouble with balance.  We use three lenses
> and have a barlow on the way.  Currently the scope stays very steady
> with our 17mm eyepiece, and pretty good with a 10mm eyepiece.  The 26mm
> eyepiece is heavy enough to make the scope drift.  I hate to think what
> the Barlow will do.
> 
> We have 4" PVC caps for altitude bearings, each riding on two 1" teflon
> magic sliders.  The movement is very smooth so I don't want to tighten
> things up much.
> 
> Do ATMers use dynamic weighting to deal with this problem?  I am
> thinking of hanging a little basket off the bottom end and adding weight
> as needed.  That would work but certainly doesn't seem esthetically
> elegant.  Any suggestions from those who have been there before us?
> 
> --
> Don Heffernan
> heffernan.cais.net