Equatorial Mount Table Top Base - Dwarf3 Telescope

The amazing Dwarf 3 telescope has the ability for use with an Equatorial Mount which allows easier tracking of the stars, nebulae etc. As it has  the tracking motors already built-in, it simply needs its base plate to be angled backwards by the same angle as your latitude on Earth and fixed there so it can do its thing. It can be put on a tripod, but this is often cumbersome and just not needed with the Dwarf3 as the scope can be put on any level(ish) solid surface like a table, wall, ground etc.  My design consists of a 3D printed base plate and a cheap, but sturdy commercial ball mount that can be adjusted to the angle.  Also, for extra stability, I used 4 points of contact, one of which is screw adjustable to cater for bumpy or rough surfaces.  You can omit this screw foot and just use 3 or 4 solid rubber feet but this can reduce the stability of the base a bit.   

The Dwarf 3 is mounted across the base with the back of the scope in the same direction as the base's pointed ^POLARIS^ arrow.  The base does not need to be exactly level as long as the back of the Dwarf3 faces True North (within 5 degrees) and the top is horizontal. The base can be aligned to True North with a compass or the North Pole Star (Polaris).  The telescope is tilted back to the latitude angle and I used a simple App on my phone for this but a protractor will suffice (again within 5 degrees is good enough).

In addition to the base plate, I have added a 10mm thick spacer ring to increase the height of the pillar if you intend to use the scope at low latitudes (tilted back a lot) and you can use 1 or more of these spacers with an increased length bolt.  You don't need to print the spacer if it's not needed.

In addition to the 3D printed base plate, you need:

• A commercial ball or gear mount with a standard 3/8 inch thread on the base.  I used the SmallRig Mini Ball Head mount ( CAD30 from Amazon) but you could use any mount that is sturdy enough to take the full weight of the Dwarf 3 scope tilted back.
• 3 small self-adhesive rubber feet, ideally super-glued on.
• A 50mm (longer if you use the spacer), 3/8 inch bolt and optional washer to fit the mount.
• An M5 or M6 (20-25mm long) Knurled Clamping Knob (Amazon) and corresponding brass Threaded Insert (Amazon).

Please enjoy the print!