Easy to Build Telescope Rolling Base DIY

[@mosesrodriguez1494]

Congratulations on your portable assemblies. You are the first astronomer I've seen come across employing M12 hardware on the tripod's center post. I am on the same track to construct a similar assembly for a Celestron NexStar 8SE. I started on my astronomy hobby October 2023.

[@PatriotAstro]

Welcome aboard! :) Enjoy!

[@andretaurines1704]

Thanks a lot, Chad! Your systematic style is awesome! Learned a lot from your channel, hope you keep publishing these brilliant videos. Cheers, Andre

[@PatriotAstro]

More to come!

[@rob1733]

Hi, and thanks for the great tips! I've just completed mine but instead of your T, I used 3 planks in a Y. Wish I had seen this first! Looks so much simpler. Plus the centre connection is brilliant! I'm in 2 minds about drilling a cup for the ends of the legs vs attaching stoppers at the end of the planks. With stoppers, I can leave the planks longer and have infinite positions should I wish to extend the tripod legs. But I'm brand new to this. Do you never see a situation where you might like to extend your tripod legs and raise your telescope?

[@michaeljonwilliams6685]

Chad, I will take it as a compliment from you that my movable mount is almost identical to yours! If you would like, I can send you a picture. My question is, you mentioned that you never level the mount with your equitorial mount but just do a polar alignment. Could you please explain that statement or recommend where I can go to learn more about your reasoning? I have been leveling the mount on the tripod once I position in on my lawn but if I don't have to, it would make it easier for me. Thank you for your very helpful videos. mj williams

[@gkather]

Great video! I'm going to build a dolly now. Assembly and disassembly is getting old:)

[@PatriotAstro]

Necessity is the mother of invention! It got real old for me too. :-)

[@dennisspender402]

Chad, great video. In leveling the mount, I sometimes adjust the length of each tripod leg. In doing that, will it affect the placement of the tripod footing on the mount you constructed?

[@PatriotAstro]

It can, yes, since the more you shorten each leg the smaller the base triangle becomes. If it is a small amount, it will not matter too much, but if it is dramatic, it could make a bit of a difference. You can test by taking a leg-to-leg measurement at the end while fully extended, then adjust and measure again. You will like not find it to be too far off for most manipulations.

[@garybarr7116]

The Example Hook-to-Hook Style Turnbuckle. I understand the top part goes to the M12 ring. How did you attach the bottom of the hook to hook turnbuckle?

[@PatriotAstro]

I just put an eyebolt/hook in the base.

[@siegfriednoet]

Very nice to see how you made those, at the Eq6R PRO mount is that also M12 ring in the center ?

[@PatriotAstro]

Yes. It actually is also M12. If you look close, I did a bit of overkill on that one and used three tiedowns from the ring. Unless you have a steep slope, it’s absolutely not needed. If you’re really concerned, I would just add some weight to the base and once it’s tied down, your center of mass will be so much lower that it will help quite a bit.

[@siegfriednoet]

@@PatriotAstro Thanx for the tip !

[@whatmattersmost6725]

First...Look's like 4" wheels?

[@PatriotAstro]

The mount in the back is on 5 inch casters while the one in the front is on 4 inch casters. I do prefer the 5s over the 4s because it seems to roll over cracks and small bumps a bit easier.