Meade LX200GPS 8" (Dowel Pinning)
Once the Fork arms are aligned and their accuracy has been confirmed (a target accuracy of 7 arc seconds is good),
the fork arms must be fixed to prevent loss of accuracy. It is also necessary to accommodate future removal.
Click on the image to enlarge.
Stainless steel 3mm 1 in 50 tapered dowel pins are an ideal solution. If these pins are inserted at the interface between the
fork arms & the RA base a 3D dovetail effect can be achieved. The pin is inserted with only half of its diameter cutting the fork arm.
A 2.8mm hole is drilled at 45 deg., into the interface, then enlarged with a taper reamer. The pin will lock into the RA base and the Fork Arm
will self align with great accuracy in all axis. The arms will be effectively on a 3D dovetail.
All photographs a copyright of Conrad Maloney (CRCM Networks, United Kingdom)