Daveley Mount


V1.1

  1. Changed dampers to PTFE (Teflon) tubing (bowden tube material) system. Credit to Pelf for the idea – https://www.printables.com/model/893497-hadley-telescope-azimuth-bearing
  2. New Damper Backbone parts to accommodate PTFE tubing. 

V1.0

  1. Initial release

Daveley because I suck at names

This is a simple mount designed for, and in the spirit of, the Hadley Telescope. It is designed to be mostly 3D printed and assembled for relatively inexpensive while also offering optimal performance characteristics for a small telescope. The support and movement of a telescope is as important as the optics. You want something that is able to support the mass of the telescope without excessive wobbling. For motion, you want something that is very smooth and damped without binding. 

This is designed for use with a standard photo, video or telescope tripod that you may already have. If you don’t have a tripod, the Sky Watcher Star Adventurer with pier extension is recommended. 

Both axes are supported via dual, 60mm x 78mm x 10mm (6812ZZ) ball bearings with 3D Printed axles that allow bearing preload to be applied. 

Teflon/PTFE or UHMW pads are used to apply damping to each axle. 

The total cost to build this mount is around $40 – $60 depending on what hardware you may already have. 

BoM:

Bearings (2X sets, 4 total) – https://amzn.to/3EljfRq

UHMW strips – https://amzn.to/3WObCcI

28X M5 heat set inserts

Various M5 screws

FUTURE Development

  • Reduce overall size of support frame, now possible with smaller profile damper strategy.
  • A version with M4 fasteners and captured nuts instead of headset inserts
  • Assembly manual and/or video
  • Further integrate PTFE tube damping strategy for a more compact, neat looking construction and better tension adjustment control
  • Go-to drive system integration
  • Further increase stiffness and improve motion