Telescope solar filter clip-on holder with lids (102/117mm diameter)

thingiverse

!#!#! ! ! ! - Warning - ! ! ! Never look into the sun, never point a telescope into the sun, the sun is evil. The smallest gap in the filter or adapter may cause you to go blind instantly. No fun! !#!#! Here we go again. Sorry for the irregular updates. I decided to publish this as soon as I printed the first prototype in order to improve on it with feedback of others (and to get it out there for people looking for something like this). A member of an astronomy chat was going to make a solar filter with cardboard or hardware-store material, but I suggested that I could try making one with my printer. This one consists of four parts: -top lid (to protect the foil) -foil fixation ring, threaded -main mount -bottom lid It clips to the telescope, tested on a 4" maksutov telescope. It fits tight, does not scratch the tube, and is easily removed. The top lid uses a simple threaded mechanism, the bottom lid attaches to the mounting clips. I tried decreasing wall thickness to make it cheaper, and some parts could still be thinned further. Also note that I cut off the circle so it will fit on a ~14x~14cm build plattform even though the diameter is a bit bigger Instructions Assembly: Cut out two rings of cardboard or thin foam rubber, and a disc of sun filter. Put one of the rings on the main ring, then the foil ontop, then another ring, then the fixation ring. If the tension of the fixation ring is not enough to keep it in place, you may want to try adding a solvent-free glue - but I have no experience with this kind of foil, perhaps try with some scrap pieces first. Installing: If your telescope is a tad too big, you could sand down the clips; If it is too loose you could glue some felt or rubber pads onto the clips. It should fit fine though, the maksutov telescope 4"/102mm has a 116/117mm outer diameter. Printing: I printed it on a PP3DP UP PLUS, perhaps you will need some changes to print them support free (conical shape of the main ring's underside for example). On the UP you can use almost any setting, low support material, normal speed, 0.4 or 0.3mm should be fast enough. I even printed the LIDs without any support material. Calibration/Tollernces The fixation ring is a tight fit. I scraped off 0.2mm; Depending on your printer it might be too tight, you might want to experiment with that. Versions: I incuded two zip files: One with the printed parts, and one with small changes: -Top lid's pens are 0.5mm closer to the lid to increase tension when screwed in -bottom lid hss little side hooks so it can not be pushed in deeper to the main part To be done? Possible feature mods: -Increase/decrease gap between main ring and fixation ring -Make parts even thinner to save more material -increase top lid diameter to protect against dust better