ATM Re: Wooden Equatorial Mounts

[Aplanatic@aol.com]

Shane LaPierre wrote:

> I'm looking for ideas to build an eq mount for an 8" f5 newt.
>  Ideally, it should be something that I can fabricate with wood
>  working tools, or buy ready to use parts for if more exacting
>  parts are required.  Ultimately it should be able to do
>  photography/CCD work.  I guess a split-ring seems like the most
>  obvious to me.  I'm not sure how the bearings all work
>  (actually I know how they work, just not what materials or
>  resources work best).  The dec bearings in particular:  how
>  might these be made?  Should I consider seriously finding
>  someone to contract out some machining work?  I appreciate any
>  comments and suggestions.

I made a wooden mount for my Slevogt Cassegrainian camera.  Although this is 
not an appropriate mount for a Newtonian, it may give you some ideas.  See:

http://members.aol.com/drowesmi/mount.html

For an 8" f/5 I would consider a small split-ring configuration.  The 
eyepiece height would be a bit too low for comfortable visual work, perhaps, 
but it should be great for photography.  Keep the weight as low as possible 
for good vibration performance and low wind loading.

Dave Rowe
Torrance, CA
Medium Format Astrophotography:
http://members.aol.com/aplanatic/photos/astro.html