Paul B's 16" F4.5 telescope all packaged up and ready to ship.

The OTA rings for Robert B's 8" F6. Robert lives in Los Angeles, California.

After a couple of tries, I've finally settled on a solar filter/counterweight combination that I'm happy with. Check out these photos and the captions for more info.

An 8" off-axis mask for solar observations. I used the telescope today.
Great views.

Here's a "hand held" camera shot at the eyepiece of a 20mm TeleVue Plossl.
The circled area shows an extensive group of sun spots.

An enlarged view of the sunspots. Looking at the lower left sunspot,
you can clearly see the umbra and penumbra.

Telescope profile with counter-weight system for solar filter.
The dew shield has been removed.

Here you can clearly see the counterweights for the solar filter.
I usually use 1.25# weights. Three weights did the job.

The "final touch" on Paul's 16" F4.5 telescope is a solar/sub-aperture
mask for his telescope. Here, the mask is "closed." The
mask can be rotated such that the opening is "between" the
spider vanes -- an "unobstructed" telescope!

 

The top of the mask rotates to reveal one of 2 openings.
This view shows the solar filter.

The mask is rotated into the "sub-aperture" position.
The diameter of the opening is 6", the focal length of the telescope is 72" --
so, an F12 -- perfect for lunar/planetary views.

A 16" F4.5 for Paul in Naperville, Illinois is 99% complete.
The only remaining piece is a solar/sub aperture filter and mask.

Detail of the Sky Commander and DSC stalk.

Upper Tube Assembly for Paul's 16" F4.5. Here the Telrad and finder are in place.

Manoj, from Campbell, California had me leave his 10" Ultra "unfinished". He since applied how own choice of a custom color with some beautiful touches. I like the "black edges" and hardware. Nicely done....

16" F4.5 for Paul in Naperville, Illinois is 95% complete. I need to add the
Telrad, finder and DSC platform. The post to the right is the DSC stalk.

The rear of Paul's telescope showing the all aluminum 6-point flotation mirror cell.

Progress continues on Paul's 16" F4.5. Here the rocker
box is taking shape.