Re: ATM Center of gravity of semicircular elevation bearings

[Michael Koloski <mkoloski@OregonVOS.net>]

Tom, Al, etal,

I just jumped into this thread and am not sure what preceded.
But, wrt to the COG of a scope it seems to me that
there are two situations to consider.  1) calculate the cog with the scope
horizontal (probably what most folks do).  then 2) Calculate the cog with
the scope vertical (this will account for assymetrical loads
such as focussers
and finders
etc.)  As the scope moves through itsrange (horizon to zenith) the
resultant cog should move from point 1 to point 2.  I don't know
whether it sill move in a straight line or not.   but you
could probably compromise and get away with a point between
the two to locate the center of the bearing.  Or you could "offset"
the bearing to account for the vertical balance (point 2) and position
the bearing so that it lines up
with the horizontal potition also.  If this is what Tom suggests doing
I think it would work nicely.  
My unsolicited 2cents.  Mike