Alt Azimuth base for Equatorial GoTo Mount / Star Tracker

thingiverse

Alt-Azimuth Adjustable Base for GoTo Star Tracker Mount ============================================ This is the adjustable Alt-Azimuth base for my GoTo Star Tracker Mount available here: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5405119 This offers the ability to fine tune your polar alignment without having to touch the tripod legs. I have two adapters for the following inexpensive tripods: Amazon Basics 60-Inch Lightweight Tripod https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005KP473Q This tripod is extremely light weight and portable, but is less stable. To use the adapter, you need to remove the ball head, the vertical extension and the crank. The adapter threads on the M35x2 threads below the ball head. BOSCH Aluminum Quick Clamp Tripod BT160 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004EIL4R2 This tripod is much larger, heavier, and more stable. Its not nearly as portable, however. The 5/8-11 threaded adapter attaches directly to the tripod screw. The tripod does not come with a leg spreader or limit of any kind, so you may want to fashion something to keep the legs from separating. I used three equal lengths of string, and a random metal washer in the center to keep the legs from spreading too far apart. You can design your own tripod adapter. The adapter attaches to the rest of the base via three M6 socket cap screws, in a 50mm base circle diameter. Its pretty easy to design your own. To complete this base, youll need an M8x40 or longer bolt, possibly a matching nyloc nut for the center azimuth pivot. Youll need an M8x70 and nyloc nut for the Altitude pivot. Youll need four M6x20 socket cap screws for the tripod adapter and the azimuth centering screw. Youll need one M6x12 socket cap screw for the bottom of the pivot. Then youll need two M8x60 thumb screws and nuts for the altitude adjustment knobs. Youll need two M6x40 thumb screws and nuts for the azimuth control. Youll need two more M6x40 thumb screws for the azimuth locks, and lastly, two M6x30 thumb screws for the altitude locks. On my printer, I could not dig the supports out, so I found it was better to print without supports. The curved slots in the base sides need some cleaning up with a file or dremel, but otherwise it prints well. I chose 40% infill and 5 layer sides and surfaces.