ABSDBS-8" modified base - interlocking parts

thingiverse

Fatalik's telescope has been an absolute blast to assemble and operate! I crafted it alongside my son, strictly adhering to the original design but incorporating some innovative modifications. Initially, we encountered difficulties with the lap joints cracking within the large bottom ring, and every time the seam rolled over a bearing in the base, we'd hit a roadblock. Moreover, sourcing stainless hardware in the correct sizes proved to be a challenge, and it was also quite pricey. To overcome these obstacles, I took out my trusty micrometer and redesigned the base components with interlocking pieces. The result is that they fit incredibly snugly and required only a gentle tap from a mallet to get them started – not a single drop of glue was necessary! (Although, hindsight suggests it might have been a good idea to apply some adhesive.) During this process, I also streamlined and enlarged the roller holders for the arms and incorporated a printable peg to mount the bearings. I even experimented with printed bearings and now combine both real and printed bearings in my setup. Take note of the tiny stick-on felt pads on the bottom of the telescope – they provide just the right amount of friction, courtesy of regular coaster material.