This is a really trivial construction which I've assembled in like 15 minutes from the scrap at hands to haul my Zhumell 12" pre-assembled to the other side of the high-rise multi-apartment building I'm living in (as well as to the roof in two runs). I'm observing from home right on it. It turned to be a very sturdy, mega-convenient, and fun to use system.
I think the image is selfexplanatory but folks from one of the forums begged me to share details anyway, thus they are under the cut along with all of the benefits list.
Usecase
The dolly had been sitting in the wall cabinet for, well, occasional furniture moving during various home projects. Why not the telescope? Because it's too narrow, slippery, and hard to control down there. Thus some easy to remove mods (I don't want to keep two dollies) to address that have been implemented.
Build
- I just pulled out two suitable 20mm (3/4") plywood pieces from my wood scraps cabinet, cut them so the one is matching the width of my dolly (closer end on the image), and my Dob's base width (diameter) - another.
- Screwed them to the dolly as pictured by 4 long wood screws (ball "2" on the image above) (tight to resulting crossbars' edges to max the rigidity).
- Lowered the Dob's base on the dolly so its three legs are resting on the planks with the front one centered and all as far from the plywood planks edges as possible and overly symmetrical.
- Had all three legs traced around with the pencil and found their centers, where to drive-in massive wood screws with the head's diameter matching openings in the legs, which is about 10mm for a tight-fit on mine (ball "3" on the image above). These are crucial to prevent the base from sliding during the ride and scope use, or when you want to apply the force to the OTA/base directly while handling it on tight spots, or when foot guiding (see "Benefits" No.4).
- The most sophisticated (and actually unique to my build) piece is the Ball "1" on the image above. These are still very trivial L-shapes screwed down at a certain distance to accept the round steel bar of the rear leg of my folding two step ladder (image below). It's serving as the rigid, folding, and quickly detachable handle to push/pull/rotate the dolly on the path of varying width which I need to traverse (i.e. a half opening door) on the way out. The distance is selected to allow the ladder fold up and rest freely on the mounted OTA side, so I don't have to worry about it falling down on its own (e.g. when I'm riding in the elevator).
Build Notes
- The single leg is better be mounted above the fixed pair of dolly wheels as on the other (turning) end it may compromise the stability of the three-point mount in turns (in fact I have re-assembled it wrong for the quick photo session).
- The L-shapes are drilled on the open end so I can drop in two nails reliably locking the handle in the improvised hinge and easy to remove when you are ready to detach the ladder and use it as a seat, step, table, EP bag hanger/shelf.
- If you have no ladder (or don't want it) it is Ok to simply pull it on a long rope sling (was my pilot model prior to the ladder light-bulb moment).
- If your Dob's base legs have no holes, you can add dimples in the plywood to accept them for security (most do as that's the cheapest way to attach them to the PB of the base with recessed screws).
- Sure thing, all holes were predrilled to avoid materials cracking from massive screws.
- The Dolly also drilled halfway from the top to accept tips of the locking nails to max the security of the ladder-handle.
- A smaller dolly may seem more maneuverable, but also less stable especially as I need to lift one end sometimes over 1-2" obstacles (i.e. sliding doors' rails in my building).
- If adding the rigid handle similar to mine make sure that L-shapes are high enough to allow the required rotational freedom.
Benefits
- I can move the scope out all the way to the observing location fully assembled with all accessories and even with the seat (plus the small EP's shoulder bag) in one run.
- I can push, pull, rotate, and elevate the front of the dolly using the rigid wide handle extremely efficiently and precisely.
- The EP is much higher with the dolly, so it's easier to reach various angles standing (as well as go lower above hand-rails on some of the observing locations which I'm using in the building). Might be a drawback for shorter folks though.
- When observing in the meridian, I can smoothly guide the OTA just bending my leg in the knee little by little, while touching the side of the dolly with the ankle, so it slowly rolls away.
- It's easy to disassemble when you need just a regular dolly cart to move the furniture again and re-assemble back in several minutes using just an electric screwdriver.
Improvements
- Remove or replace the torn upholstery on it as it's becoming the source of dust over a decade of hard use.
- Think about even better guiding system (a wheel ramp is probably an overkill, but a simple removable wheel guide box preventing them from rotating perpendicular to the celestial equator - may be of help).
Nice website.
ReplyDeleteBut how do you search for items within it?
Thanks
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ReplyDeleteEasily store the dolly in the trunk of a car, at home or at the office, then carry it with ease to any location... cheap furniture
ReplyDelete