EM-200 to G-11 Tripod Adapter

Here are pictures and plans for making a custom adapter to mate the Takahashi EM-200 mount to the Losmandy G-11 mini-pier tripod. I built this adapter (with lots of help from my friend Bob Higgins) using a Smithy mill/lathe.

Before you start, Remember to 'measure twice - cut once'!

Machining sequence:

1. Start with 6" round Aluminum rod (1.75" x 6"). Straight cuts to avoid too much cutting on the lathe 2. Face both surfaces flat and to desired sizes on lathe 3. Turn small diameter to fit into G-11 Pier 4. Drill 1" center hole (this will reduce the material that must be bored) 5. Bore 1.6" hole to accept mount base bolt 6. . Chamfer edge surfaces

7. Reverse adapter in the chuck, you'll be working on the other surface now 8. Bore 1.185" hole 9. Turn outside edge to round 10. Chamfer edges 11. Move adapter to mill or drill press 12. Drill and tap azimuth post hole

13. Drill and tap 3 adapter to pier mounting bolt holes 14. anodize or polish note: The 1.185' center hole gives a snug, but bindless fit, so the indent was cut slightly (~.005") larger than the mount's ridge to avoid binding in azimuth rotation.

Special thanks to Al Testani and Pedro Re' for the pictures of their mount adapters. I especially want to thank Al for sharing his CAD drawing, I used it as a template for the drawing on this page.

1. Start with 6" round Aluminum rod (1.75" x 6"). Straight cuts to avoid too much cutting on the lathe	2. Face both surfaces flat and to desired sizes on lathe	3. Turn small diameter to fit into G-11 Pier	4. Drill 1" center hole (this will reduce the material that must be bored)	5. Bore 1.6" hole to accept mount base bolt	6. . Chamfer edge surfaces
7. Reverse adapter in the chuck, you'll be working on the other surface now	8. Bore 1.185" hole	9. Turn outside edge to round	10. Chamfer edges	11. Move adapter to mill or drill press	12. Drill and tap azimuth post hole
13. Drill and tap 3 adapter to pier mounting bolt holes	14. anodize or polish	note: The 1.185' center hole gives a snug, but bindless fit, so the indent was cut slightly (~.005") larger than the mount's ridge to avoid binding in azimuth rotation.