About Me

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A retired Welshman living in wonderful Plymouth in SW England, I’m a family man, novice sailor and boat builder, astrophotographer and motorhomer. With a passion for all things to do with education and the sea and skies above, I have a sense of adventure and innate curiosity. I write three blogs. ‘Arwen’s Meanderings’ charts my learning to sail a self-built John Welsford designed ‘Navigator’ yawl. Look out for her accompanying YouTube channel www.YouTube.com/c/plymouthwelshboy . ‘UnderSouthWestSkies’ follows my learning journey as I take up astronomy and astrophotography; a blog for beginner’s new to these hobbies, just like me. ‘Wherenexthun’, a co-written blog with my wife Maggie, shares how we ‘newbies’ get to grips with owning ‘Bryony’ an ‘Autosleeper’s Broadway EB’ motorhome, and explores our adventures traveling the UK and other parts of Europe. Come participate in one or more of our blogs. Drop us a comment, pass on a tip, share a photo. I look forward to meeting you. Take care now and have fun. Steve (and Maggie)

Saturday, 24 January 2026

3 D printed bits useful for astrophotography

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Having a wonderful son-in-law who also owns a posh 3D printer is one of those life's little joys.  He is a clever, practical guy, who can turn his hands and brain to many of those DIY tasks from putting up shelving to constructing alcove cupboards. He also happens to be an electrics and IT tech wizard as well.  The family 'skills' pool rose significantly when he joined the clan. 

To date, using free download plans, he has printed me the following: 

  • three tripod clips to hold power banks
  • two vixen dovetail style clamp bases for my Zenithstar 61ii
  • a pair of cable organisers for my ASIair Mini
  • a green pen laser holder that can be attached onto a vixen dovetail style clamp
Makes simple astrophotography procedures so quicker. 

This green holder can now stay permanently on my green laser pen. I will replace the back two bolts in next couple of days for something similar to those at front. 

The plans called for tiny metal inserts but I found just tapping and threading the holes worked well 

The holder slots in place on the 3 D printed saddle clamp (black)
The whole set up is replacing my red dot finder - which I am finding difficult to use at times because it requires me bending down at very awkward angles. 
I am very aware that using a green pen laser is not without its problems and is a contenious issue - so this is a trial. 

The red ASIair cable organisers - a Godsend frankly


Three black tripod leg clamp bases with sticky velcro attached. 
I can then just push my power banks onto the legs (they have sticky velcro on back of them as well) 
I can even transport the tripod in the car with the power banks already attached 

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