A cheap equatorial stand that does not require much lathe work in its construction must have an axis on which to rotate, to provide the horizontal motion; the vertical motion being provided by a metal clasp having two trunnions, which rotate on wooden uprights provided with V-shaped bearings. This mounting is supported by a wooden tripod stand similar to the ordinary camera stand, though, of course, more substantial and rigid. It can therefore be used either indoors at an open window or in the garden. In the tripod shown in Fig. 1 the three legs are bolted to a wooden base and provided with three cheeks for the purpose. Under the base, about halfway down and connecting the three legs together, is a sort of a double joint, which folds upward when the stand is not in use. When open, this drops and keeps the legs stationary. Above the base, and glued and screwed to it, is a circular, cylindrically shaped block having a hole through its centre to receive a female cone of metal. A recess in the block receives the shoulder at the top, which is then screwed down to the block. This cone is shown in section at A (Fig. 2). A cone, shown at B, is similarly screwed to the oblong stage of wood above the block, to which the uprights are screwed. The two centres are ground together, and, when fitted accurately, are held together by a screw and washer at the ends. The uprights, shaped as in the illustration, carry the clasp by its trunnions, the clasp being screwed around the body tube of the telescope. The clasp is a metal casting about 2 1/2 in. deep, with two circular trunnions and two rectangular wings. This is shown in elevation and plan at Fig. 3. When the hole has been turned to fit the tube, and the trunnions turned exactly equal to each other in diameter and fitted between the uprights and to the V's on them, the rectangular wings are drilled for four screws, two at each wing. The ring is then severed into two halves, the saw cutting through the wings. Some blotting paper is then pasted in the curves of each half, to prevent the disfigurement of the lacquer work on the tody tube, and, when dry, the clasp is screwed together around the tube. In this way the two horizontal and the vertical motions are supplied.