Nothing beats the dissapointment when you unpack your new thousand dollar component and realize that you can't connect it to the rest of your hardware. A custom built adapter can save the day. Here are some examples of the solutions I have been forced to implement:
Meade tripod / Takahashi EM-10 mount: Here's an image of an adapter plate for mating a Meade LX tripod to a Takahashi EM10 equatorial mount. The adapter has an integrated bubble level indicator and a compass for aiding with the inital setup.
Borg 100ED / DF-2 / CFW8 / ST10: Here's how I connect a FLI DF-2 focusser to my CFW8 and ST10 for mating on a Borg refractor.
Nikon lens / DF-2 / filter / ST10: I just love widefield imaging with SLR lenses and narrowband interference filters. Here's how I integrated the DF-2 focusser into such a setup.
Borg 100ED / ToUcam webcam: This arrangement uses a Mogg adapter and two custom made bronze spacer rings to achieve focus.
AO7 / filter / ST7,8,10: To avoid using a bulky color filter wheel when working with the AO7 guider I designed this very compact way of mounting a color filter.
DF-2 / SCT: The DF-2 focusser is so good that I want to use on all my imaging platforms, including a 8" Meade SCT.
Friends with access to precision metal working equipment helped me realize the costum adapters used here. However, anybody can use this approach
by contacting a specialized metal working company, such as
'Precise Parts' who even specializes for astronomers. If you'd like
technical drawings for any of these adapters just email me!
Here's my main page where you can see some of the pictures I have taken so far.
Comments greatly appreciated! (mikael@leif.org)