Levelling Feet for 12" Dobsonian

Easy leveling solution for my 12" Dobsonian Scope but could be used anywhere leveling is needed. Simple to print
0
4
0
34
updated August 22, 2025

Description

PDF

It always was a pain to level my telescope due to the need of shims to place under the little plastic feet mounted to the bottom of the stand.  So I decided to design replacement feet that could be adjusted by simply spinning them to raise/lower the base of the scope.  

With 3 feet, it made perfect sense since a 3-point leveling system is pretty standard and easy way to level an object.  The next concern was the part of the foot that contacts the ground.  That is where the idea of using a round head carriage bolt came to the rescue.  

Parts:
3 x 3/8" x 3" long carriage bolts fully threaded
3 x 3/8" flat washers
3 x 3/8" Nyloc nuts
3 x 3/8"  4-point furniture T-Nuts

Instructions:
Insert the carriage bolt from the bottom of the print.  If it's a tight fit, you can tap it in with a hammer.
Drop the flat washer over the threaded end the use a socket to tighten the Nyloc nut down to the washer.  
Remove the 3 original plastic feet from the scope base and drill out the 3 holes to match the size of the OD of the T-Nut.
Insert the T-Nuts into the drilled holes from the underside of the scope base.
I used a C-Clamp to press the T-Nut's 4 points into the wood of the scope base until they were flush with the base.
Screw in the new feet and never need shims again!!!

Print with widest side down and add supports to the ‘washer stop’

 PETG 
.15mm layer height 
.4mm nozzle
4 shells / perimeters 
60% infill

Tags



Model origin

The author marked this model as their own original creation.

License


Highlighted models from creator

View more