Astrophotography/Telescope Tripod with Adjustable Legs

prusaprinters

<p>I couldn't find a reasonable DIY tripod online that I felt was sturdy enough, easy to build and suitable for the OpenAstroTracker (OAT)*, so I designed this one. A few designs I found online ones looked suitable for astrophotography, but they didn't have adjustable legs, which I need due to some serious slope in my astro backyard.&nbsp;</p><p>The use of the printed hinges that use machine screws with butterfly nuts make it easy to disassemble into the two plywood pieces and the legs for compact storage and/or easy transport.&nbsp;</p><p>Tripod construction is made from 3/4 inch plywood, 1x2 inch trim boards and hardware that can be found at most local big box hardware stores. Printed parts are for joining the legs and creating the joints between the legs and the platform and between the platform and the spreader.&nbsp;</p><p>Full Bill of Materials in attached pdf file. It also includes a few notes for cutting the wood and attaching the printed parts. Pictures attached here should also help anyone attempting to replicate this build.&nbsp;</p><p>Fusion 360 and step files included in case you need to adapt it to other size hardware or lumber. Fusion file can also be used to guide assembly.&nbsp;</p><p>I used some scrap plywood from another project and purchased the trim boards and hardware for less than $30. &nbsp;Thus, keeping with the theme of the OAT as a starter/budget astrophotography tracking setup.&nbsp;</p><p>Only power tools required were a cordless drill and circular saw. (in addition to my trusty 3d printer).</p><p>For finishing I did nothing fancy since I was using cheap construction grade wood and my woodworking skills are modest and this isn't living room furniture. So I lightly sanded and applied polyurethane to the wood to help protect it from the elements.&nbsp;</p><p>Once the butterfly nuts are tightened up the tripod gets very solid and initial field testing shows no visible sign of issues producing the same quality photos as when using the OAT directly on the ground.&nbsp;</p><p>* <a href="https://wiki.openastrotech.com/en/OpenAstroTracker">https://wiki.openastrotech.com/en/OpenAstroTracker</a>&nbsp;</p><p>My OAT setup is an Open Astro Tracker with Auto Polar Alignment (AutoPA), OpenAstroGuider, Auto Focus and a Raspberry Pi 4 running AstroBerry.&nbsp;</p><p>Camera is a Canon 450D with a 135mm Lens and 220mm Lens.&nbsp;</p>