Flimsy Base
Steve Scampini (scampini@hpangrt.an.hp.com)
Mon, 6 Mar 95 11:23:30 EST
Sorry I don't have original but someone asked about reinforcing the
base design for a dob so that it wasn't flimsy. I have made a couple of
cardboard models to empirically try some geometries. I have found that:
* You are basically making a four sided box (missing the top side and the
side that the scope swings through.
* Make a cardboard model with hot melt glue (about 1/2 hour's work) and
all the geometries and sources of flexture become intuitive.
* Adding V shaped trusses to the outside of the sides of the box on all
three vertical sides added lots of rigidity. I am planning on using
3/4 ply for the sides and using 1 by 3 inch by 3/4 inch maple strips
to make the V's. When looking at the side of the base, it will look
a V monogram (the open end of the V spans the half-circle for the trunion
bearing.
Good luck,
Steve