Solar Finder

thingiverse

This is a solar finder. (Always use appropriate filters when observing the sun!) I designed it in small enough parts, so that I could print it on my resin printer. There are now 3 Versions of the target: - Original version ("Solar_Finder_Target.stl"): This version should be considered experimental! The printed spring should work with the right resin. It needs to be tough an remain flexible. Maybe a nylon-like resin might work? Be very careful when you remove the support, or you will break the "spring". - v2 ("Solar_Finder_Target_v2.stl" and "Solar_Finder_Frame_v2.stl"): This doesn't use any springy part. A bit fiddly to adjust, because you always need to turn 2 screws at once. - v3 ("Solar_Finder_Target_v3.stl" and "Solar_Finder_Frame_v3.stl"): This uses a spring from a ballpoint pen. A bit fiddly to assemble, but works great. I sourced the spring from a BIC ecolutions ballpoint pen. This spring has an outer diameter of 4.5 mm and a length of 25 mm. I also put a small piece of a toothpick (diameter about 2.5 mm, length about 12-13 mm) inside the spring to give it some lateral stability. Sand down the back side of the target until it freely slides. You will also need: - 0.7 mm drill (to clean out the pinhole) - 5 mm drill (v3 only, to clean out the hole for the spring) - 6 mm drill (to clean out the holes for the connecting rods) - M3 tap - 2 x M3 thump screw - 6 x M3 set screw - 2 x 6 mm rod, steel or other stiff material, approx. 200 mm long - v3 only: spring, approx. 4.5 mm x 25 mm (e.g. from a ballpoint pen) and a small section of a toothpick or something similar Print this with a tough, engineering type resin. (I used Eono ABS like resin from Amazon.) It should also work with a filament printer.