Assembly of the Dobsonian base


	Figure 6. Lower the assembled mirror cell onto the tube
	so one side of the end ring is seated on the tube edge. The
			Figure 7. Locate the area of tube that is bulging out and
	threaded attachment holes in the end ring should also be
	lined up with the through holes in the end of the tube		preventing the mirror cell from fully seating.
	of engagement on the shafts. The mirror cell is now ready to		Replace the six Phillips-head screws that connect the rear
	be installed into the tube.
			end ring to the tube.

Assembling the SkyQuest XT12 mirror cell to the tube can be	Assembly of the Dobsonian base
a bit tricky. This is because the large diameter and thin steel	Assembly of the Dobsonian base
of the tube will cause the tube to become somewhat out of	Refer to Figure 9 during base assembly. The base need
round once the rear end ring is removed.	only be assembled once, unless you disassemble it for long-
To assemble the mirror cell to the tube, stand the tube up	term storage. The assembly process takes about 30 minutes
To assemble the mirror cell to the tube, stand the tube up	and requires a Phillips screwdriver, an adjustable crescent
vertically so that the raw edge of the tube is facing upwards.	and requires a Phillips screwdriver, an adjustable crescent
	wrench, and the provided hex keys. When tightening screws,
Line up the threaded holes in the edge of the mirror cell end	wrench, and the provided hex keys. When tightening screws,

ring with the holes in the end of the tube. Then, lower the
mirror cell onto the tube so that one side of the end ring is
fully seated onto the tube (Figure 6). Now, look along the
perimeter of the tube, and you will notice a bulge in the tube		C
that prevents the mirror cell from fully seating on the tube
(Figure 7). Position your body so that your chest is pressing			C
against this bulge, and hug the telescope with your left hand			C
			B
so that the tube becomes round. With your right hand, gently			B

tap down the side of the mirror cell that needs to be seated,
and the entire mirror cell should seat onto the tube (Figure 8).			L
			I
	J		H
			E
		D
		A	K
		A
			F
			G
Figure 8. Hug the tube so that your chest pushes against the
bulge, and a gentle tap should fully seat the mirror cell onto the
tube.	Figure 9. Exploded view of the Dobsonian base.
			5

Figure 6. Lower the assembled mirror cell onto the tube

so one side of the end ring is seated on the tube edge. The

Figure 7. Locate the area of tube that is bulging out and

Assembly of the Dobsonian base

(Figure 7). Position your body so that your chest is pressing

against this bulge, and hug the telescope with your left hand

so that the tube becomes round. With your right hand, gently

tap down the side of the mirror cell that needs to be seated,

and the entire mirror cell should seat onto the tube (Figure 8).

Figure 8. Hug the tube so that your chest pushes against the

bulge, and a gentle tap should fully seat the mirror cell onto the

tube.

Figure 9. Exploded view of the Dobsonian base.