Faceplate for Meade ETX to EQ3 tripod

I made this model to secure a second-hand ETX-60 to the EQ-3 I use with my 90mm refractor. Since Meade no longer exists, this is perhaps the only way to add a tripod to a lonely ETX. I based this design off online images of the original tripods Meade used to sell. 

What you will need

You should have these parts if you have a complete ETX-60 and EQ-3, otherwise they are easy to procure:

• M6x35 bolt (qty. 2)

  • I recommend hex head for ease of manipulation, originals were knurled thumb screws. These are loosely put in the two sockets in the underside of the ETX, then they slide into the slots in the faceplate and you turn them to secure in place. 

• M10x45 bolt (qty. 1)

  • This one secures the central column, I used the one on my EQ-3 but you can substitute for an M10. You can print a plastic head for better grip, I am sure there are models for that out there. Might add it here later as well. 

• M8x30 bolt (qty. 1)

  • This one pushes a pin on the tripod that locks the central column from the side to prevent it from rotating. You can also get a plastic grip for it. 

Print settings

30% infill should be more than enough, but I recommend increasing the wall thickness to 2mm so it better resists the wear from the screws. I used 0.16mm layer height and it worked great with the M10 thread. 

It probably can be adapted to other ETX sizes just by varying the spacing between the two slots, although I can't verify this myself. Please let me know!

UPDATE 23.05.26. I tested it with an ETX-125 and it also fit, although that telescope is a bit too heavy. I will upload a faceplate with additional support to better fit the bigger ETXs.