This is the mounting plate I designed. As you probably know, the mounting plate for the ETX 125 is put between the smal tripod-head and the larger plastic base of the telescope, thus preventing the scope from shaking. This because the plastic telescope-bottom is not as stiff as the metal head. By supporting the whole base of the scope, much shaking is prevented. Some people came with the idea of extending this mounting-plate to get a kind of shelf, where you can put some eye-pieces or hang the AutoStar on. At Mike Weasner's site there are a few listed, also Scopetronix sells one (under 'Tripods & Mounts' -> 'Tripod adapters').

I would be happy to have one of those but the prices are rather high for me. Living in Austria, the Dollar-exchange-rate is rather unfavorable at the moment and the shipping costs are also rather high. (I had to pay 50% more than the US-prices for my ETX125 here in Austria!)
So, I decided to make one myself. This is not a difficult thing, the main trouble is the drilling and cutting of the plate. But since I work in a battery-plant, we have a large workshop with a few skilled people......

A co-worker of me did the complete drawing in Autocad. First thing to do was measuring the original plate, to get the holes at the right place. All these holes don't have to be very precise, beacuse the are just used to lead some screws through, or the give place for the three rubber feet of the telescope. After this, we put on a rectangle containg for holes for eye-pieces and a hold for the Autostar. This rectangle is faced north, so the eye-pieces are in mostly in reach when viewing south, and the telescope-connectors won't be obstructed. Of course, one can add more holes, but this was enough for me. These four holes have to be rather exact in size, to prevent the eyepieces of falling through. The eye-piece-holes are arranged in a half-circle, to leave more place in the corner, making room for a level-bubble or a compass.

This is the stage the project is in at the moment (5. Nov 2000). Since it didn't cost me a dime until now, I can't expect to be ready within a week or so. When it's ready, I'll update this site...

Now there is the question of material. The original plate is made from 3mm thick steel, another commercially available product from 6mm Aluminium. The thickness is not very important, eventually it could be made out of wood. Important is to make it real stiff, thus preventing shaking. Another possibility is my design cut out of plastic or cardboard, and used in addition to the original plate, simply by putting the two plates on top of each other. Also, with a thicker plate (wood or aluminium), be sure that the two mounting screws are long enough to hold the telescope secure on the tripod.

Next thing will be the cutting. Another co-worker took the drawing with measurements we made, and tries to ask a friend of him to cut the plate in 3mm steel with an automatic laser-cutting machine, using the electronic Autocad data. When that doesn't work, yet another co-worker already promised me that he can do it during two or three weeks, using some spare time. Isn't it nice to have some friends? 8-)

When my plate is ready, I will put the drawing on this website, so everyone can use it. You may then alter my design, as long as you don't use it commercially. So producing one or two from this design is okay, but producing and selling not. See it as a kind of open-source. Remember, producing one at a commercial workshop is rather expensive. When you can't produce one by yourself (or your company 8-) buying at Scopetronix or other shops is cheaper and easier. They will be better looking also....

10.dec. 2000: I recieved my plate a few days ago. The cutting was done with a wire-cutter, programmed by hand, so the AutoCad-file wasn't used. The cut is very sharp and exact, it looks very good. As you see in the picture, the plate isn't finished yet, this is what the raw aluminium looks like. There are even the felt-liner-lines where the operator made a quick sketch on the plate.... After a quick test in my living room, I discovered I put the holes for the eyepieces to close to the scope, so my standard 26mm won't fit in the middle two holes. I didn't count for the sloping EXT-base, so larger eyepieces like my 26mm Plössl won't fit. The holes can only be used by small eyepieces, but I haven't got any (yet), so I can't test it. The holes are very exactly cut, and with the thickness of 6mm aluminium, it is impossible to put them tilted in the holes. Bummer. So much for not trying a paper-cut prototype... 8-(
I have to bevel the edges, and then think of a nice finish for the surface. Maybe a sandblasting (we have a sand-blasting machine at the company) or just a painted surface. I haven't decided yet. But when I bevel the edges, I'll try to make the inner two eyepiece-holes also somewhat bigger in one direction, so I can put in the eyepieces tilted.
Unfortunately, this time is rather busy for me, so I guess I won't be able to do something until somewhere in january. But when I look at the sky (the thing that have to lie behind that #&%$* fog), I guess there will be clouds for the next three months... 8-(

25.may. 2003: It is a long time, but finally I made it to make the update and tell about the finished plate. The plate as I finally recieved it looked like the picture on the left. It has a nice brushed aluminium look, mainly because it is brushed aluminium.
Unfortunately, I miscalculated the design, and put the holes for the eyepieces to close to the telescope. So I can only use