Telescope Mount Setup Leveling block

thingiverse

This little block makes setting up a telescope mount a breeze. Every time I take my Atlas HDX110 out, I waste precious minutes fussing over the mount's vertical alignment in its parked position. That's because when I start it up, I want to be sure it's spot on. While there are ways to do this without this handy tool, I've found that using it saves me time and stress. You can snap this platform onto a 1.25-inch counterweight bar, then sit a level on it so you get an accurate reading when the bar is vertical. This little gadget was designed for my location at 29 degrees 30 minutes North, but even if you're in a different latitude, it will still give you a better reading than trying to eyeball it. Print settings aren't crucial here, as this block isn't a structural piece. Its sole purpose is to make your life easier when setting up your telescope mount. I've updated the design of this block to improve its performance. While the original version worked, its orientation had a significant impact on the level reading. A slight twist out of alignment from front to back made a difference in the accuracy of the reading. This new version has a platform on the side that makes it easier to get an accurate reading. To use this block, attach it to your mount's counterweight bar and rotate the mount 90 degrees so the bar is horizontal. Then, place a level on the side of the block and adjust it until the side platform is level with the ground. When you rotate the bar down, the top platform will be perfectly aligned to give you an accurate reading. I'll add some photos soon to help illustrate how this tool works.