: Back in '75, I made a 6" reflector telescope as part : of our telescope making shop class in high school (neat, eh?). : Unfortunately, the tripod we made consisted of steel : pipes and was totally useless because it never stayed : in place. Needless to say, it wasn't used much.

: Now, at long last, I'm getting my telescope from my : parents house and I'm hoping to set it up for my own : kids to use. I have looked high and low for a way to : mount my telescope on a decent tripod, but I can't find : a manufacturer that sells tripods without a telescope. : I can't use a heavy duty camera tripod because the : telescope is just too heavy for it.

: Also, I'm not even sure how I can mount the telescope. : Originally, it was attached to a U-shaped wood piece, : which held a length of pipe.

: Anyhow, please, PLEASE, if you have any ideas, email : me asap.

: Thanks in advance! : Rich Cacace (rcacace@rocketmail.com)

Rich, I started building telescopes about the same time you did, along with my brother. Things have come a very long way in 20 years. The preferred method of mounting a telescope like yours nowadays is the dobsonian mount, as mentioned by the previous posting. I would URGE you to take a look at this clever simple mount.

You can check out some examples of them on our photo page, and there are lots of resources here on the net to help you make your own. It's simple, inexpensive, and very stable and easy to use.

Good luck!

• Swayze Optical Photo Page

• Re: Tripods for Homemade Telescopes - Dan_Kimball/">Dan Kimball - December 21, 1999 - 15:28 UTC
• RE: Re: Tripods for Homemade Telescopes - need a tripod a telescope - March 12, 2000 - 09:19 UTC