Stop Lifting Your Telescope! (Roll it!) *Wide Format*

This video demonstrates how to make any Dobsonian easy to move around. It demonstrates how to use locking castor wheels to keep it from rolling away. Originally published as a KZbin Short, this is a regular wide format (sortof) version.
#dobsonian #wheels #fix
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[@musimajluf5421]

I put locking casters on my 12" dobsonian and it works very well. I find that I use my scope more often just because it is so much easier to move. Nice video.

[@reflactor]

I'm glad to hear the castors are working so well for you, that is great news! Thank you for watching. :)

[@deepskymike767]

Another great tip! I’ve had my 14 inch on 50mm castors for many years. I just roll it out of its storage shed 4 feet to my observing spot. The one thing you forgot to mention is to get lockable castors otherwise turning the scope round will turn into a ballroom dance with your scope. 😂

[@reflactor]

That's an excellent point. I went a bit too fast on this video, but these castors that I added were the locking kind (no more dancing!)

[@martinlagrange8821]

A good guide for the wooden-fork dobs - however, I do have a 10" ES Hybrid Truss Dob which is all-aluminium (which is really nice in that way) - and so, another good solution (slightly more expensive but not much) was the purchase of a foldable hand-trolley, which allows moving the entire assembly anywhere. For good measure (as the ES is an f/5 'fast' system), was setting the base on a big aluminium caravan step (which folds its legs for transport as well) - the combination is an all-metal aluminium telescope system that compactly folds, and can be rolled around following unfolding, from even the smallest hatchback car boot.

[@reflactor]

Agreed, there are many ways to solve this issue. In my situation, I have to maneuver it down a driveway, so these wheels make it super easy for me.

[@AmatureAstronomer]

I have to go up and down stairs to get into my yard.

[@reflactor]

Admittedly, wheels won't help there. I do have one step and I built a short ramp.

[@johndemmer3496]

Good idea. Tried it did not like the action of the platform. Too wobbly after. Some wedges in place after moving is a good idea.

[@reflactor]

Each telescope may behave differently, so I understand. If it is wobbly, my recommendation is smaller wheels and/or making sure they are as far out to the edge as possible. Clear skies!

[@gladfridge]

very nice tip! I recently found your channel after looking for videos on how to adjust finder scopes. I just got a telescope and your videos have helped me a lot! Although, I'm still having trouble working it :( It's a hexeum model 50070 with a focal length of 500mm and 70mm aperture. Since I can't practice on finding the moon currently, I've been trying to look at planets. Unfortunately, the two planets I've looked for, Jupiter and Saturn, have turned out as low-detailed, white, blurry blobs. I've changed the magnification and adjusted its focus but the result is the same. I'm not sure if I can't see planets well because it's a lower quality telescope but I was hoping I could at least see Saturn's rings. Anyways, I was wondering if you could provide me with any tips or information on my situation if you have the time. Thank you for your videos, I hope you're having a good day/night :)

[@reflactor]

Thanks for watching! I suspect it comes down to the planets being too bright. They can overwhelm our night-adjusted eyesight and look like glowing discs. You can try to use a moon filter to darken it a bit. But the most popular item is what's called an aperture mask - it's basically a disc with a smaller hole that fits on the front of your telescope to only let in a fraction of the light (I'm working on a video for this). Some telescopes come with them installed, but I've had to make a few by hand out of pizza box cardboard.

[@gladfridge]

@@reflactor I think the aperture mask is a part of my dust cap actually! I just thought it was some random hole without a purpose oops. Thank you so much for your reply, I will try looking at the planets tonight with the mask on! And I'll be sure the catch the next video! :)

[@marcocambray7725]

Won't work for me yet but I love the idea

[@reflactor]

Sorry to hear that - have you tried a movers dolly/platform? They take up more room, but it's a similar concept. Other than the size, the downside is that it has four castors and can rock back and forth. Three is key, as they say. Clear skies!

[@Stephen-gp8yi]

I bought a set of four locking casters.shall I use three and keep one as a spare or use all four?thanks!

[@reflactor]

I would only use three because four might make it rock back and forth.

[@JoeJaguar]

i had wheels on my 12" but i took them off i guess iam the weird one. thanks john

[@reflactor]

I really only have to move mine about 25 feet, down a driveway. These castoring wheels are perfect for my setup, but others might have obstacles that wheels can't maneuver?

[@JoeJaguar]

@@reflactor in my case I’m just going from the inside living room to the backyard and it has one step over the patio door. Only going about 15 feet super me. It’s not that far maybe because of that one step rollers don’t make sense however, in your choice if you’re in the garage and you could just roll it out the driveway makes more sense

[@tjayay]

And rolling it on a driveway won’t mess up the mirrors??

[@reflactor]

I haven't found this to be a problem. Just go slow.

[@tjayay]

I just saw your other video with the wood blocks to enable shimming and stability. If you could do this over again, how would you change the process to improve it?

[@BariumCobaltNitrog3n]

Wiggle wobble. A tank dolly is more practical. Made for welding gas, they hold round cylinders. Slide it off, boom! Stars.

[@reflactor]

Cost was an issue for me. This whole setup was only about $20. I doubt any dolly could be found for such a bargain. Now, if you happen to have a tank dolly nearby, it might be the perfect solution. Thanks for watching!

[@BariumCobaltNitrog3n]

@@reflactor Flea markets always have a couple, or just regular hand carts/trucks. Hey you would know, what is an average focal length for an 8" mirror on a Dob?

[@adrianrodriguez9582]

what size screws did you use??

[@reflactor]

They were sheet metal screws, probably #8's and 1/2 inch long.

[@adrianrodriguez9582]

@@reflactor thx man!