Pimp my Telescope - components list

Parts to make/fabricate

Bearing Box

• The box, 4 sides about 7" long by 3" wide
• Bearing disks, 120 mm diameter, (double thick, apply laminate)

The Fork

• Bottom Disk, 10" Apply Laminate
  
• Fork Arms 8" high (Double Thick, apply teflon)
  

The Base

• Tripod top disk, 10" (Teflon on top)
• Legs, 4 foot, round edges.
  

Building the Dob-like mount

For the Bearing Box:

1. 1 sheet HVHC plywood (3/8 should do it)
2. 1x2's for the legs (3)
   
3. Teflon (On order)
4. Ebony Star (on order)
5. Varnish/wood finish

Tools

1. Jigsaw
2. Router
3. Sander
4. Square
   
5. Clamps (have a few more would help)
6. Circle Jig
   

Modding the telescope (ETX-127)/ AKA PIMP MY SCOPE

OK so I have a meade ETX-127 Optical tube that I picked up used. currently it has a orion 9x50 Finder which Is pretty nice but poorly placed. In addition the scope is currently sitting on a tripod head that was really made for a view camera. and while it works well with a view camera it kind of sucks for a telescope.

SO some changes, I would like to do 1 and 2 and maybe 3 in the next month.

1. Build a dob style alt-az mount, and maybe a new wood tripod
   
2. Move the current finder to the structure of the mount (see #1) (may need new finder bracket)
   
3. Add a Zero Power Finder
4. Add Binoviewers
   
5. Green Laser Pointer?
6. Pair of 13mm Naglers