{"id":50176,"date":"2023-10-11T08:21:47","date_gmt":"2023-10-11T08:21:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/a7981654-83e4-4004-a040-c4a8e2cd2b8f"},"modified":"2023-10-11T08:32:36","modified_gmt":"2023-10-11T08:32:36","slug":"how-to-build-an-astronomy-accessories-case","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/rss_feed\/how-to-build-an-astronomy-accessories-case\/","title":{"rendered":"How to build an astronomy accessories case"},"content":{"rendered":"

Make observing the night sky easier by constructing a customisable container for all your astronomy equipment. <\/p>

By Mark Parrish\n <\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 11 October 2023 at 08:21 AM<\/p>

\n\n

In this DIY guide, we’ll show you how to build an astronomy accessories case.<\/p>

It’s great for storing the bits and bobs that come with the practical pursuit of observing the night sky.<\/p>

Whatever stage you have reached in astronomy you will accrue a lot of precious equipment.<\/p>

Eyepieces<\/a>, cameras, intervalometers, red light torches<\/a>, tools and cables.<\/p>

It can all become a jumbled mess if you don’t have the right astronomy accessories case for storage.<\/p>

Your kit needs to be stored and transported to dark sites so you can make effective use of your time.<\/p>

In this DIY project we’ll show you how to make your own accessories case and customise it to suit your particular needs.<\/p>

Extra plans<\/strong><\/h2>

Download the plans below to help you build your astronomy accessories case<\/p>

Astronomy accessories case typical parts (PDF)<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>

Astronomy accessories case parts diagram (PDF)<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>

About the astronomy accessories case design<\/strong><\/h2>

Our basic design for an astronomy accessories case has space for eyepieces in the main layer with a lid, which doubles up as a tray you can use for a star chart.<\/p>

Additional layers can be added to the stacking design to house other items, such as cameras, filters, cables and tools.<\/p>

One of our main objectives was to create a design that didn\u2019t require any of the tricky woodwork joints usually associated with this kind of project.<\/p>

In its place we have devised a neat overlapping corner method that just requires some accurate sawing.<\/p>

You might find a timber supplier or friendly DIY enthusiast with a machine to do a lot of the cutting work for you.<\/p>

But with a little care it is possible for anyone to make strong boxes using our technique.<\/p>

Construction<\/strong><\/h2>

The construction is a matter of pinning and gluing together.<\/p>

We also added an inexpensive LED battery lamp (found in many DIY superstores).<\/p>

If you disassemble it you can spray the lens red and mount it on a moveable arm made from plywood that folds away inside the case to form a kind of angle-poise lamp.<\/p>

This makes locating that elusive eyepiece much easier in the dark!<\/p>

\"build<\/figure>

The upturned lid forms a tray \u2013 useful for temporarily placing lens caps and small items on, but which can also form a small chart table.<\/p>

We designed it to accommodate an A4 sheet so we could use printed charts (which you can access above)<\/p>

The lamp can be positioned so that it illuminates the chart or box below.<\/p>

And if the lamp unit is affixed to the plywood arm with a Velcro patch, you could use it as a removable torch if you need light elsewhere.<\/p>

The eyepieces are held in two internal timber shelves.<\/p>

These are drilled to suit the eyepieces and we used non-marking nylon screws to hold them in place.<\/p>

Each shelf is glued in place, supported on two small rectangular off-cuts of plywood, which are stuck to the inside of the box below either end.<\/p>

Customise to suit your needs<\/strong><\/h2>

We lined the bottom of our case with felt, but there is room here for a rack of filters or other small accessories such as pencils and an astronomy log book<\/a> if you wanted to improvise.<\/p>

Each box has a raised internal lip around the top edge, which fits inside a corresponding recess below the base of the box above.<\/p>

This means the boxes can be stacked and locked together to form a modular case of any height.<\/p>

You could keep all your accessories in one place at home, but only take selective layers out for a night\u2019s observing.<\/p>

You could even add dividers into individual layers.<\/p>

A shoulder strap was added to the upper layer of our astronomy accessories case to make carrying easy.<\/p>

Handles could be added or small casters if your stack of cases becomes large or you decide to scale up the design.<\/p>

You could add padding to the lid to create a seat if find yourself waiting for the clouds to clear.<\/p>

You might decide to stick to the online plans for your first layer.<\/p>

But once you have mastered the basic principle, it is easy to add some more layers with varying heights.<\/p>

You can also devise your own modifications as your interests in astronomy grow and evolve.<\/p>

Tools and materials<\/strong><\/h2>
\"build<\/figure>

Tools<\/strong><\/h3>
  • Tenon saw or equivalent<\/li>
  • Drill with bits<\/li>
  • Wood screws and eyepieces<\/li>
  • Ssandpaper<\/li>
  • Clamps<\/li>
  • Small hammer<\/li>
  • Screwdriver<\/li><\/ul>

    Materials<\/strong><\/h3>
    • Two 2.4m lengths of 44x15mm softwood<\/li>
    • Two 2.4m lengths of 25x15mm softwood per box layer<\/li>
    • 6mm plywood for the sides and bases of each layer<\/li><\/ul>

      Sundries<\/strong><\/h3>
      • Cabinet fasteners with small screws (a pair for each layer)<\/li>
      • 15mm panel pins<\/li>
      • PVA wood glue,<\/li>
      • Eyelets and bag strap or handles<\/li>
      • 30mm M6 nylon screws<\/li>
      • 40mm M6 bolts and wingnuts<\/li>
      • Masking tape<\/li>
      • String<\/li>
      • LED battery lamp<\/li><\/ul>

        Finish<\/strong><\/h3>
        • Fine sandpaper<\/li>
        • Exterior quality gloss paint or varnish<\/li>
        • Red spray for lamp<\/li><\/ul>

          Step-by-step<\/strong><\/h2> <\/body><\/html>\n
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