My latest project for my Sky Watcher HEQ6-R pro as it's getting heavy for me (Djennings)

My latest project for my Sky Watcher HEQ6-R pro as it's getting heavy for me

Revision title: My latest project for my Skywatcher HEQ6-R pro as it's getting heavy for me

I have decided to do away with the tripod for my Sky Watcher HEQ6-R Pro and place it on a pier and then mount the pier to a wagon I purchased at Tractor Supply. Using a brake drum from an older Chevy car which has the 65 mm center hole, this will fit the mount just perfectly. Mounting the brake drum to the pier, which I received from my neighbor as it was just sitting in his shed gathering cobwebs, rust and he has several of these which he's not doing anything with.

Cleaned up the pier with a sander and wire wheel, then painted with 2 coats of primer, 2 coats of pain. Same with the brake drum. Drilled my outer holes for 1/2 inch all thread bolts and assembled with washers and nuts, leaving them long enough to adjust for balance, in the pictures, they are still too long but will be cut down.

Once I mounted the pier in the wagons 3/4 inch ply which I had to add, I soon realized that I would have to balance the top head mounts for each session. So to eliminate this I decided to add 2 trailer hitch jacks which will serve 2 purposes, one for additional stability and allows me to balance the entire cart without having to adjust the top nuts at the head of the mount.

I used the larger tires because my driveway is rocks and not concrete so a smooth ride on little wheels was not possible, this also allows me to move about on the grass very easily as well.

I tested this out the other evening and it worked out rather well. I was super excited to see that my mount tracking was in the .3 to .4 range using PHD2 for guiding. TOTAL (0.34) so I was really happy to see that.

Anyways, I will post photos of the progress and final shots.

B

Title: More pictures to follow

Description: More pics to follow

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C

Title: Painted Brake Drum

Description: Painted Brake Drum

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D

Title: Primed Pier

Description: Cleaned up and primed, ready for paint

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E

Title: Mounted in the Wagon

Description: Mounted in the Wagon

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F

Title: Close up view

Description: Close up view

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G

Title: In the driveway before adding the trailer jacks

Description: This is when I realized I needed additional support and the need for other means of leveling.

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H

Title: Trailer Jacks added

Description: Trailer Jacks added

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I

Title: Completed with my New Askar PHQ65 on top

Description: Completed with my New Askar PHQ65 on top but I still need to cut down the long all thread bolts. Not a big deal though...

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J

Title: Taking a picture of M31 using the wagon and EQ6-R pro

Description: Here is the screen shot of the tracking, using N.I.N.A and PHD2, I was very happy with the results of the wagon setup and the evenings tracking.

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K

Title: Pier went from 35 to 23 inches, more stability overall.

Description: Using a different pier, cut it down to 23 inches from the 35 inches. All ready to go now.

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L

Title: My latest project for my Skywatcher HEQ6-R pro as it's getting heavy for me

Description: In the driveway after the cut pier, paint and reassemble.

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M

Title: My latest project for my Skywatcher HEQ6-R pro as it's getting heavy for me

Description: Setting up in the backyard to test out the new pier and wagon setup.

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