Hi,
Today's offering is the fabrication of the polar mount inclined tracking bracket that secures the elevation actuator to the polar mount outer frame.
The inclined tracking bracket is an "Add On" that bolts onto the polar mount using an existing hole in the top horizontal section of the outer frame. The box section for the polar mount outer frame is 50mm square so I needed to source some U section steel that had an inner diameter of 50mm. This proved difficult to find so I bought some 60mm square box section steel with 5mm wall thickness. By cutting away one side of the box section it was possible to convert it into U section.
The 60mm box section was cut into lengths using an Evolution mitre saw, they are rated for 3mm wall thichness box section. However, by cutting slowly I managed to get it to cut through the 5mm wall thickness of the box section with reasonably clean cuts. The side of the box section was cut away using a plasma torch then the parts were welded together to create the inclined tracking bracket. I still have to drill the bolt holes in the bracket that secure it to the polar mount and hold the elevation actuator in place.
From the one length of box section that I bought, I had two brackets made, one for Precision/Elite antenna with the 600mm rear mounting ring and one for antenna with the 1200mm rear mounting ring.
I wish to thank blademedia for the ideas and sending pictures by email on the the fabrication of the bracket. It was a great help and its a nice simple solution.
@blademedia you should offer a service covering design and fabrication to customers wishing for an elite bespoke service of this type.
Pictures are attached below covering the fabrication of the inclined tracking bracket. The forum upload restricts the number of pictures to 10. I have uploaded another 4 pictures to the next post, these 4 pictures show the bracket loosely in place on the polar mount.
Rgds