Source for setting circles

So I am making a GEM for a small refractor and hopefully a little bigger reflector down the road. Each axis rides on 2 pillow-block mounted bearings with 8 inch long 5/8 inch axles. This is all mounted on 6" aluminum channel with a pedistal of 2" iron pipe and is adjustable between about 36 and 42 degrees lat. Since I live at 39 degrees lat this covers me over almost any place I would want to go. I left enough overhang off of the back of each axis to put setting circles but have so far failed to find a place where I could obtain some that I could modify to mount.


Does anyone know where I could get a set of setting cirles that would work in this application? I don't expect to be able to point blind, but I would like to at least get close enough that a wide-angle spotting scope could help me zero in on my target. While I could rig up digital setting circles if I can't find old-fashioned ones I was hoping to avoid the additional expense.

Any help you could provide would be appreciated.

Nathan Spitzer

PS: This is almost identical to one shown in "All About telescopes" though I had designed it based (lossely) on some internet designs and ordered the parts before I got my copy of "All about Telescopes".

One solution is to get the Losmany setting circles for a G11. They are a nice wide circle. You have to get a machine shop (or be handy yourself) to put a disk of metal inside the circle so you can attach it to your axes.

Another solution is to call Don Rothman and tell him you want him to scavenge some setting circles for you from an old mount.

http://astronomy-mall.com/astro.parts.outlet/

regards
greg n

As long as you're making your own mount, I'd consider making the setting circles. Find a copy of Neale Howard's "Standard Handbook for Telescope Making" for a good idea on how to make them fairly easily. You can make them nice and large too.

Clear skies, Alan