paul Posted May 2, 2021 Share Posted May 2, 2021 To avoid a nasty tripod leg bash I've moved my 250mm OTA up the tube rings and added weight at the mirror end to re-balance in DEC. I now have significant RA imbalance and I find myself needing an extra 2-5kg of counter weight. With official weights being difficult to find in stock I've taken a gamble and ordered 2x2.5kg plate weights with a claimed 28mm bore. The 28mm quick release clamps for these weights have arrived and fit the counter weight shaft very firmly when clamped shut. I can't imagine them moving easily. The weights should arrive soon. I'm hoping that will reduce the number of lost subs. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkAR Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 Sounds like a good plan, post up some piccies when done 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul Posted May 5, 2021 Author Share Posted May 5, 2021 Advertised as 1.1" or 28mm weight plates they fit well and the clamps do their job. I've not drilled and tapped anything harder that Al before but I do have a spare weight to experiment with. For those of you interested I found the weight plates at £28 for 2x2.5kg on eBay. The clamps I picked up from Amazon for £8. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AstronomyUkraine Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 4 minutes ago, paul said: I've not drilled and tapped anything harder that Al before but I do have a spare weight to experiment with. For those of you interested I found the weight plates at £28 for 2x2.5kg on eBay. The clamps I picked up from Amazon for £8. Great solution, and a lot cheaper than paying 79 euro for one 5kg weight, or 129 for a 9.5kg weight. It might not look aesthetically pleasing, but as long as it does the job, does it matter? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcK Posted May 7, 2021 Share Posted May 7, 2021 An excellent solution. I too balked at the price of iOptron weights and will use your method when I buy my CEM70 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marmot Posted May 7, 2021 Share Posted May 7, 2021 Nice post🙂 I do find it interesting looking at peoples DIY solutions to issues they come across. There seem to be all sorts of products out there and quite often a little bit of thought and research will result in a practical solution thats more budget friendly than going to one of the branded purpose made items. I never knew those little clamps existed! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul Posted May 9, 2021 Author Share Posted May 9, 2021 Its not pretty but I can't see it in the dark so style isn't a big concern. I might try some glow in the dark paint😁. The clamps are very firm at least for the 2.5kg weight - easy to adjust up and down. If I was considering a larger weight then I would definitely place it it the end of the shaft and use the ioptron weight to tune the balance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AstronomyUkraine Posted May 9, 2021 Share Posted May 9, 2021 On 5/7/2021 at 9:56 AM, TerryMcK said: An excellent solution. I too balked at the price of iOptron weights and will use your method when I buy my CEM70 Could be worse, you could own a Software Bisque ME II mount. 465 euro for a 13.5kg counterweight. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AstronomyUkraine Posted May 9, 2021 Share Posted May 9, 2021 3 hours ago, paul said: Its not pretty but I can't see it in the dark so style isn't a big concern. I might try some glow in the dark paint😁. The clamps are very firm at least for the 2.5kg weight - easy to adjust up and down. If I was considering a larger weight then I would definitely place it it the end of the shaft and use the ioptron weight to tune the balance. I have two white Skywatcher weights on my mount, and a black Celestron weight. It does the job, so I don't worry about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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