EQ-5 mount leg leveler screw

[UPDATE 09.08.2019] Autodesk Fusion360 project link https://a360.co/2TslASy
[UPDATE 05.04.2019] Field test with heavy equipment proven! MEADE Schmidt Newton 11 kg + guiding scope + DSLR 1 kg + 10 kg counterweights. No problem at all levelling.
[UPDATE 24-3-2019] Added little handles to the legs shells, so that they can be removed out of the outer screw with ease.
What is it?
Heavy duty levelling screws for the EQ-5 equatorial mount to do leveling with ease. You can use these with all your equipment is mounted. I would recommend to use as well my EQ-5 platform spirit level (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3466601).
I constructed this, because levelling is always a pain.
You only need to PRINT TWO SETS of scres. One for the north celestial (or south celestial) leg and one for another leg.
The screws have 80mm and can level at ~50° incline therefore a distance of ~40mm. In the middle of the inner screw is a marker, that shows the middle distance.
There are two distance rings you have to put ad the bottom of the screw around the metal inner EQ-5 leg. The half shells fit tight together. They have a flat end that should point upwards. There are two versions: one small one that fits right into the screw (30mm) and one, that is about 50mm. Probably you need additionally way in the field if the ground is very rough.
Mounting
Important: The inner screw has an excavation for the little screw of the EQ-5 leg. Just gently turn the part around the leg until you can push it over the leg. Don't try to press or push with force. You don't need!!!
I would recommend the following procedure:
Do the following, BEFORE you put your Equipment onto the mount. The mount could fall to the side!!!
- Pull out all 3 EQ-5 legs about 30 cm out and fix all of the.
- Put both parts, the upper and the middle screw together until you merely can see the middle marker (ring)
- Impose the screw on the EQ-5 leg that points to the north (or south) celestial pole
- Put the distance shells over the thinner leg at the bottom - the flat end pointing up
- Push the distance shells into the leg screw
- Unfix the EQ-5 leg with the imposed levelling screw and gently let glide everything down.
- Do the same for a second leg.
Important
- The third tripod leg (without scew) must be fixed in length, the legs with screws stay unfixed until levelling is ended.
Now you can put your Equipment onto the mount.
- Level you mount
- When done, don't forget to FIX ALL 2 EQ-5 LEGS.