Robert (Bob) stopped by to pick up his 8" F4.9 scope.
A "remake" from an Orion solid tube.

Two of the three 14" telescope projects are nearing completion. These are the kits with the third project a remake for Tom in Chesterfield, Missouri.

For Rick, in Orinda, California == The rocker box is assembled
to ensure a good fit for the OTA. Note the sides are left solid.
Rick will cut his "custom pattern" in the sides.

For Bryan in Phoenix, Arizona -- My standard rocker box
has 3 holes for easy handling as well as reducing weight.

Two 14" kits and one 14" 'remake" under construction.
The kits are just about complete -- then to assemble the "remake"!!

Complete is a 16" Lightbridge Rocker Box Upgrade
for John C. in Andover, Kansas.

Rear View. The rocker box is made of 100% furniture grade Baltic Birch.

Coming along nicely is a Rocker Box Upgrade for the
Lightbridge 16". This one of for John C. in Andover, Kansas.

These upgrade are all 100% furniture grade Baltic birch
with 6 coats of varnish or lacquer. They are sold in kits
or fully assembled. See http://dobstuff.com for details.

Rocker Box Sides and Alt Bearings for the three 14"
projects are coming together.

Three sets of OTA rings for 14" strut telescope. Every now and then I get multiple orders for the same size/style of telescope. Two kits and one remake.

These are for Rick in Orinda, California, Tom in Chesterfield, Missouri and Bryan in Phoenix, Arizona.

Nice!!

The "start" of a Lightbridge 16" Rocker Box Upgradefor
John C., in Andover, Kansas.

A Telrad and Orion 9x50 Right Angle finder are
mounted on clamps. They can be mounted anywhere
on the 1.25" struts.

Just completed is an 8" F4.9 for Robert B. in Los Angeles. It's a "remake" of his Orion telescope. It uses the primary mirror, mirror cell, secondary, spider and focuser from that telescope.

Since the OTA is only 33.75" long, Robert asked that I increase the height of the rocker box. This way, the eyepiece will be a bit higher for more comfortable viewing.

At the zenith, the eyepiece is 43" high. Just perfect for "sitting and observing" the sky!!

Detail of the Orion mirror cell.

The rocker box for Robert's 8" telescope is coming together.
Robert asked for a bit "higher sides" to raise the eyepiece.
The OTA is only 34" long!!

Altitude Bearings and rocker box sides for Robert's 8" F4.9. The bearings are 15" in diameter.
At this stage, the telescope is about a week from completion.

The Optical Tube Assemble for
Robert B. in Los Angeles, California is complete.

Here, the mirror cover has been removed.

An 8" F4.9 for Robert B. in Los Angeles, California. Here, the OTA rings are complete, including the mirror cover. The primary, mirror cell, focuser, secondary and spider are from Robert's solid tube telescope.

Once I set the length of the struts and add the altitude bearings, the OTA will be complete.

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.