Buying Fortec Star 2.4m petalised dish from Maplins

[BGonaSTICK]

The idea I have is a cross made out of angle iron, with a hole in the centre the ends are welded to the circle and the centre stud, stops it from moving, loosen the centre bolt, turn it any direction. If you could draw the idea, that would be good. Also in windy weather if the nut was loose, the wind would turn it like a sail, to offer least resistance.

I don't think we need a picture, it sounds perfectly straightforward to me    Good idea    Rawlbolts sound OK too, but of course you know what I'm going to say next....

Get some bloody big ones! 

It would separate the complexities of pouring the concrete and positioning the studs in the right place too.

[Mike22]

I don't think we need a picture, it sounds perfectly straightforward to me    Good idea   Rawlbolts sound OK too, but of course you know what I'm going to say next....

Get some bloody big ones! 

It would separate the complexities of pouring the concrete and positioning the studs in the right place too.

I am basing it on, one nut,holds a car wheel on the stub Axel, so loosen one nut and turn the dish

[Mike22]

I am basing it on, one nut,holds a car wheel on the stub Axel, so loosen one nut and turn the dish

Well it's situation normal,Fortecstar said, we have made them and supplied Maplin direct, Maplin say,"oh no sir we don't have them yet". don't you just love the incompetence of the clueless, I would have to do an each way bet here

[BGonaSTICK]

So does the 'one nut' work for Fortec or Maplin? 

[Mike22]

Can't wait to see some pictures 

The securing bolt was purchased today. I decided a 20mm "high tensile" bolt welded to a large cup, as this would fill with concrete as the hole was infilled with aggragate, the mix will be 5 aggregate to one cement. The cross welded to the stand with a hole in the centre for the bolt, will make it possible, for one guy to move the dish at will . I believe the term "user friendly" applies here.

[Mike22]

The securing bolt was purchased today. I decided a 20mm "high tensile" bolt welded to a large cup, as this would fill with concrete as the hole was infilled with aggragate, the mix will be 5 aggregate to one cement. The cross welded to the stand with a hole in the centre for the bolt, will make it possible, for one guy to move the dish at will . I believe the term "user friendly" applies here.

The Stick has gone out, and bought a bolt, he's realised, one that size, would keep his wallet safe

[BGonaSTICK]

I want to see a track and some rollers around the circumference of the base. Now that would be cool! 

Here's your 20-petal inspiration from SES 

I bet these are fairly expensive, and I don't reckon that Maplin stock them either!

[Mike22]

I want to see a track and some rollers around the circumference of the base. Now that would be cool! 

Here's your 20-petal inspiration from SES 

I bet these are fairly expensive, and I don't reckon that Maplin stock them either!

That's great mate excellent. It just goes to show, what doing it properly can do. 2 rould bread boards, back to back. the ones with the grooves around the circumference and marbles, they make excellent turn tables, used them before, but I dont think when assembled its going to be that heavy to turn, and if it was a greased sheet of alloy under the base circle would soon cure that. The main concern was it tipping over,end of dish.I havn't finished thinking yet,it all depends on how well it works. How far round I can get will be interesting too as I can see the horizen here  from East to West and more.

[BGonaSTICK]

OK, Mike has sent me the first 'ground-breaking' ceremony picture 

Attached below...

The yellow thing is a spade
 
The silver thing is a wheelbarrow.
 
The rusty lump, is the one bolt securing device.
 
2" by 1" box section steel will make the cross, not got yet.
 
The next shot over the weekend, will show, the concrete mix being poured, we will use a mixer, to get an even better mix.

Looking good Mike, but I'm going to have to give you a little bit of ribbing over the shininess of your wheelbarrow! 

That's just jealousy though, as I don't have one at all... 

[Mike22]

OK, Mike has sent me the first 'ground-breaking' ceremony picture 

Attached below...

Looking good Mike, but I'm going to have to give you a little bit of ribbing over the shininess of your wheelbarrow! 

That's just jealousy though, as I don't have one at all... 

I must admit the barrow is not mine, I just wanted to borrow it to take the dirt down the croft. So far the weather has been very kind, and the aggregate and sand will be here later today now, so we hope it remains dry the next few days. For the benefit of Stick the idea has been mentioned of castors to swing the dish on, they are quite available here and  4 should be enough to turn the dish very easily as they will turn in any direction required. so its looking good guys....so far

[Mike22]

I must admit the barrow is not mine, I just wanted to borrow it to take the dirt down the croft. So far the weather has been very kind, and the aggregate and sand will be here later today now, so we hope it remains dry the next few days. For the benefit of Stick the idea has been mentioned of castors to swing the dish on, they are quite available here and  4 should be enough to turn the dish very easily as they will turn in any direction required. so its looking good guys....so far

Hey guys Maplin have got the 1.8 m in stock now and at 100 quid delivered free ain't a bad deal, ganna finished what I started though and stick with the 2.4, but at least it looks promising now.

[BGonaSTICK]

The aggregate arrives... 

This looks like it's going to be a proper job! 

[Mike22]

There is a new software update, for those fortunate enough to own the delightful Phillips DVDR 3570H. It is said to fix the jitters on SAT 1 a german entertainment channel, though I have never noticed this.....Here is the link http://www.p4c.philips.com/cgi-bin/dcbint/cpindex.pl?scy=GB&slg=ENG&cat=DVD_HOME_THEATER_CA&sct=DVD_HARDDISK_RECORDERS_SU&grp=HOME_ENTERTAINMENT_GR&session=20080814054942_86.134.173.145&ctn=DVDR3570H/05&mid=Link_Software&hlt=Link_Software

Mike22

Hi Guys
Unfortunately there has been a delay, in the continuing story of the 2.4M Fortec Star. The weather being one,and Maplin's IT goof saying they are now in stock, when they are not. Within the wheels of No Sky there are some drawings and ideas, of converting this dish, to motorised, with a few pieces of scrap metal and yet another long bolt. The Polar mount is not Rocket Science as will be revealed shortly.

Mike22

[BGonaSTICK]

I'll chuck the rest of the pictures etc. that Mike's sent me onto this thread later in the week when I've got a bit more time...

 

[BGonaSTICK]

A simple idea, for motoring the Fortec Star, requireing only one adjustment to rock it on the arc. The moteck v box would convert disq 1.2 to  36 volt pulse shift making a jack arm very feasable to rock it on the arc.
 
If a lug was placed at the top and bottom of the securing ring, the "hour angle or "polar axis" could be set in one adjustment, ( here aprox 30 degrees) as the dish was rocked azimuth and elevation move at the same time...IE polar mount.
 
This project although has few replies has stirred up considerable interest I see.
 
Maybe simplifying that polar mount, so it doesnt look like, it came from a rocket scientist, will stirr up even more interest. As as you can see, its quite easy once explained.
 
The jack arm would be set half way out on 1 west, all I dont know yet is which one would be required for a good arc.
 
The v box and jack arm is about 80 quid scap metal and a long bolt does the rest.

I've attached two pictures sent to me by Mike. I genuinely don't know if they are copyright protected. If you own the rights to these pictures and want them removed from NoSky, please just ask and it will be done!

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