Counterweights

[Astrolounge]

l have been trying to get a little business off the ground supplying Aussie made scope accessories and these are the counterweights l am making to suit EQ6, Losmandy and Astro Physics although l can make them to suit anything on request, any size weight and colour.
They are precision machined and secured with a replaceable brass plunger that will not mark the shaft.
Thanks for looking and any comments good or otherwise gratefully received.

[Radar]

They look awesome mate. Nothing worse than paying for overseas freight when it comes to counterwieghts.

[CanisMajorTom]

Nice sideline Astrolounge. You will be my first point of call when I need one. :thumbsupmate:

[AstroTasmania]

Very nice, I like the knurled middle section. What are they made of ? S/S is OK, unpainted, bright steel would need some serious coating to prevent rusting.

Please advise.

Clear skies...

[Astrolounge]

they are made of 1045 mild steel and will be painted to match anyones requirements or coated with a special clear urethane and keep the machined appearance. My background is in spraypainting so the preparation before painting will ensure they don't rust. Even if the painted ones are dropped and chip an acid etch primer underneath will still protect the bare steel.

[Tenacious Del]

They look good AstroLounge. Good luck with it mate. :thumbsupmate:

[AstroTasmania]

Hi Astrolounge,

Top product - and I hope you succeed with your accessories. I am all for local enterprise, we have a lot of under used talent in Australia.

The custom colour is a nice touch, it was also one of the reasons I bought 4 motorised "Moonlite" Crayford focuser units for my telescopes, Ron Newman anodises them in a range of colours, as well as black. Superb workmanship, fit & finish.

I am setting up my own anodising line when I get time, I have all the equipment, chemicals & proper dyes. I make so much of my gear from high grade aluminium-and I want to anodise them all gold, just to give them a personal touch.

Clear skies...

[Astrolounge]

l also hope that little venture goes well, this is a mounting rail that l made for my 12" LX200, aircraft grade aluminium and anodised gold, l will be making these for a range of scopes later in the year.
There is a market in Australia albeit a small one but the advantage of being aussie made and quickly available should ensure a reasonable demand.

[phoenix]

Great looking products Astrolounge.
:cool!:

[AstroTasmania]

Hi Astrolounge,

Very, very nice indeed, there should be a good local market for products of this quality. Very professional and beautifully finished. That gold colour is what I have in mind for my gear, I also use 6061 aircraft grade material, stuff bought during my Ultralight days. Nice to machine. I got a range of imperial sizes from the USA, which is handy for making all my 1.25" & 2" telescope EP & focuser parts. I am able to get a lot of Mil spec aluminium off-cuts in all thicknesses, including big diameter 12mm wall thickness pipe in several diameters, from the big shipbuilder, INCAT about a 25 minute drive from me. It is made in France, much like what I used to know as Dural / Noral etc. in the UK, as used in the aircraft industry.

We do not have anyone doing anodising in Tasmania and it becomes too expensive to be shipping stuff interstate. Do you get yours done locally?

Clear skies...

[Astrolounge]

l have a guy about 20min drive from my place that does very nice work both anodising and cad plating for very reasonable prices, if you need help with getting some stuff done don't hesitate to let me know.
There is quite a range of finishes in cad plating now and l may get some of the counterweights done and see what the market reaction is.

[el_draco]

Nice looking counterweights. Can you provide some kind of price list for Losmandy?

Ta

[trevorw]

Price and availability of counter weights