Telescope-to-camera mount adapter (for the Lidl Skylux tripod mount)
Description
Things you could improve:
-Higer to avoid collision with the bolt on the mount if you want to use two discs on the threaded rod
-Larger opening to tighten with your finger once it's installed
*** *** *** *** FINAL Update 18 feb 2012: USE Zero23.stl
Fixed different things.
*** *** *** *** *** ***
Work in Progress. Use at your own risk.
I am not reliable for any damage on your telescope.
ABS is a bit soft, the mount's screw will damage the part when it's too tight. Glueing wood or a metal plate onto the part would be one way to solve this issue. If you have other ideas, please let me know!
*** *** *** ***
(In case you are looking for new earring designs, stay tuned. For now, some boring useful niche stuff.)
The Lidl Skylux 70/700 telescope comes with a rather stable parallactic mount, unlike other cheap entry level telescopes you can get in catalogs or at supermarkets (usually a 76/900 newtonian reflector on a shaky plastic AZ mount).
I got hold of a used Lidl Skylux to use the mount for the Skywatcher 102/1300mm Maksutov and/or a DSLR camera. The only problem:
It has no standard photo mount.
Unbelievable, I could not find any CAD/3D files for this relativly common telescope mount. Just some telescope stores offer an adapter for €20 or €30, which is more then what I payed for the used mount WITH telescope!
If you compare the original mounting system and this design, you will note that this will slide in and is not as narrow as the original (which could be easily removed by just taking it out the top when the screw was loose enough). I did this to make sure it fits tightly without relying on the screw to hold all the weight, as FMD plastic parts are not as rigid as molded parts...
It might be possible to reduce the thickness even more, but the ABS tends to be too soft. As the telescope needs to be as stable as possible, it might even be a good idea to close the top completely.
The v20 SKP file includes a version where the screw is behind the adapter, but this will most likely be too fragile due to everage effects.
The main problem I see (aside the screw damaging the plastic) is that the increased height will reduce stability. If you can live without the comfort of a wing bolt, you could decrease the height and use a regular screw.
Please post any comments, suggestions or your personal print results into the comments, thank you!
(PS: Lidl, Skylux, Sky-Watcher & Co are registered trademarks and I am not associated in any way with the companies. This part is a hobby project, and I am not liable for any damage that may result from my bad design or your device having another mount type.)
Instructions
FINAL(?) WARNING!
Use Zero23.stl. IT should work now (fixed: Width, hole to adjust screw, reinforced walls, etc.)
Work in Progress. Use at your own risk.
I am not reliable for any damage on your telescope.
ABS is a bit soft, the mount's screw will damage the part when it's too tight. Glueing wood or a metal plate onto the part would be one way to solve this issue. If you have other ideas, please let me know!
*** *** *** ***
You will need a wing bolt to attach a camera or a telescope with a tripod mount, but be carefull to choose the right screw (diameter, angle and length).
UNC 1/4"-20 ( 6,35 mm/5,2 mm, 1,27 mm)
Also see
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tripod_(photography)
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stativ#Stativgewinde
PRINTING INFO for PP3DP Users: See attached screenshots.
WARNINGS:
A) There is a newer version of the telescope (afaik without the bukly screw in the middle of the mount/holder). I do not know if the rest of the dimensions are the same! It should be easily adjusted though.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
I just wanted to start a design for the very same thing! Glad I found this one in thingiverse and that you already created the part! I will test it very soon.
I updated my Lidlscope with a motor and I want to use it as a tripod for astro photography now...
If you live near Aachen you can print your part in our FabLab or present the thing at our monthly dorkbot meeting ;)
Will tell you how it printed in a few days! Thankx for uploading this mount adap
ter :)
I changed my mistakes, printed it, and it fits.
The ABS is a bit soft and the screw to tighten the adapter will damage it. Any thoughts? Gluing or creating a slit to insert a metal or wooden plate perhaps?
Else it works relativly good. I need a longer screw though to really use it...
Stay tuned :-)
Warning!
I just printed it, and I screwed up.
That's what you get when designing stuff late at night :-P
A) It is too wide, just one or two milimeters, and
B) Even if it would be a bit more narrow to fit, the "tenon" (the extended part fitting into the gap between the angled edges) will prevent it from sliding forward.
Easiest solution: Take the flat side (opposite of the angled/tenon side) and move it 0.5-1cm inward so the part is more narrow...
I will update it soon.
Hi Bohne,
great! So uploading it in an early stage was not as foolish as I thought :-) It probablIy still needs a lot of tweaking, I hope I got the dimensions right though (I used a digital caliper, but as I worked on the part way after midnight there might be a few mistakes, but it should be allright). Best would be to print a slice of the middle section to see if it fits (and perhaps adjust the height so the center screw of the mount won't collide with the adapter).
Neat!
What motor did you use? I was thinking about that as well...
I am located in Kiel, sometimes I'm in Frankfurt (M), so unfortunaly Aachen is a bit off my usual traveling route... Looking forward to your print/modified design though, keep me posted! I myself own a pp3dp UP+, thanks to the ast
ronomy hobby I can't afford building a reprap at the moment :-D But from experience, it should print fine on both machines, as the model is rather simple...
License
More from Schorhr
I printed Zero21Hamaschraubenkompatibel.stl and can say: the screw fits :)
Will test it on the lidlscope / skylux this weekend :)
looking good!
Great, good luck! Hope it's rigid enough and not too thin with the changed plate.