From: "Dwight K. Elvey" 
To: atm{at}shore.net
Reply-To: "Dwight K. Elvey" 


>From: AMaroney{at}sptimes.com
>
>> I noted this a few weeks ago just after my 'First Light' (alas not
>kosher Ebony Star but definitely good grade Teflon).
>> Looking at Saturn was a joy whilst Jupiter near the zenith became a pain
>after a while.
>
>My $0.02...
>
>This was probably due less to the bearing material and more to the weight
>of the focuser, eyepiece and finder all being on one side of the bearing
>(trunion) axis.  The heavy side of the tube. with all the hardware, is
>going to want to drop down.  Ideally the weight of the scope should be
>balanced across the trunion axis.  Since this hardware has a similar
>weight regardless of the size of the scope it has more of an effect on a
>smaller scope.
>
>It seems to make sense that if the trunion were located at the midpoint of
>the balance (instead of midpoint of the tube), which would be towards the
>side of the focuser that the extra mirror weight opposite of it would make
>for a more stable Zenith position.  Has anyone confirmed this?

Hi
 On the binocular telescope that a friend and I built, we were
careful to do a full balance on everything. There is an offset between the
tube and the axis of the trunions. Even the craddle to base board is
balanced. Unlike some Dobson's, we can operate on a hillside without having
to level a spot. Dwight

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