HOME | TELESCOPES  |  KITS & PARTS  |  PRICING | CONTACT US | SCOPES AND TESTIMONIALS | FOR SALE | LINKS 
Assembling a Dobstuff ROCKER BOX KIT can be simple. You'll need a few tools, including a power drill with screwdriver-tip and some bar clamps.

1) Regardless whether you purchased a Lightbridge rocker box upgrade or a rocker box another telescope -- the assembly is essentially the same. they say that a "picture is better than 1000 words".

I hope these help. If not, CONTACT ME!!
2) Use "bar clamps" to assemble the front and rear spacers along with the sides. Note the sides are "pre-drilled" and the holes are counter-sunk for the assembly screws. At this point -- DON'T use any glue.

Later, after the assembly is complete and you've installed your telescope in the rocker -- and all looks and feel right, I like to "back out each screw" and dip them into glue. Re-insert the screw and the glue will follow.

Enough glue will add whatever rigidity you're looking for.
3) Inserting the 1 5/8" fine-thread wood screw is simple with a power-drill and phillips-head bit. If  you have one, use PD2 or TD2 screw-bit.
4) Fit the bottom, use clamps as needed. Eight screws finish the job easily.
  5) I use the "3M 77-10 Super 77 Spray Adhesive" to affix the bottom laminate to the rocker box.
  6) Install the "feet".
  7)   Affix the Teflon bearings to the ground board. The form has changed a bit over the years -- but the process is about the same.
 

8) The center pivot comes with a washer and lock nut. Leave abut 1/8" spacing between the rocker box side and ground board. Loose is better and will improve the motion of the rocker box azimuth motion.
9) SOME, but not all, of my rocker boxes come with altitude bearings of some sort. If that's the case, use "contact cement" to affix the altitude-bearing laminate. I now use black FRP laminate as a substitute for Ebonystar. It'll work just great.

CLAMPS?? If contact cement is used, and used correctly, the laminate will adhere to the altitude bearing immediately. No clamps will be needed. Just apply the contact cement to both surfaces and burnish the two together.  Directions are on the side of the contact cement container.

Use the small nail (brad) as described in step 10.
10) A small brass-brad inserted into the ends of the altitude-bearing laminate keep it in place. Drill a small pilot hole first. It doesn't need to be very deep into the wood, just through the laminate material itself.
11) These instructions will help assemble the Lightbridge rocker box.

For a full explanation and set of instructions click HERE to see the Lightbridge rocker box assembly page.

12) If your rocker box comes with BREAK. Use this technique to install.

Installing the “break” for the rocker box is easy (we now install a "break" on all our  Lightbridge rocker boxes):

  1. Install the carriage bolt front the inside of the rocker.
  2. Insert the small “wood screw” to about the thickness of the altitude bearing.
  3. Slip the Teflon and washer over the carriage bolt.
  4. The knob holds everything in place. Tighten the knob as needed for “friction”.
  5. You're done!!

For more information about your requirements:
--Dennis Steele
--Tel: 650-315-6578 (anytime)
--Email: densteele@dobstuff.com




Copyright © 2007-2020 -- DobSTUFF.COM. All rights reserved