Friday, February 28, 2014

Manoj, from Campbell, California had me leave his 10" Ultra "unfinished". He since applied his 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.

Thursday, February 27, 2014

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

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Alt bearings on Paul's 16" F4.5. Once I mount the Telrad
and 8x50 finder, the OTA will be complete.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

16" F4.5 for Paul B. in Naperville, Illinois.
The OTA is virtually complete.
Larry from Burlingame, California came by to  pick up his 17.5" F4.5.
We enjoyed a great visit and lunch.

Monday, February 24, 2014

Altitude Bearings and Rocker Box Side for Paul B's 16" F4.5 telescope.

Saturday, February 22, 2014

16" F4.5 for Paul in Naperville, Illinois.
Here, the mirror cover and UTA.

With mirror cover off, the primary sits on an all aluminum
6-point flotation mirror cell. The secondary sits on a Destiny
Observatory Grade curved-vane spider.

Friday, February 21, 2014

Construction continues on Paul's Upper Tube Assembly for
his 16" F4.5 Telescope. The focuser is a 2" 2-speed Moonlite.

drprepper6 --

please contact me at densteele@dobstuff.com .. I'd like to answer your questions, but do not have your email. Dennis

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Work begins on Paul's 16" F4.5 -- a Meade Starfinder Makeover.
Here, the full Upper Tube Assembly is coming together.
Paul lives in Naperville, Illinois.

Sunday, February 16, 2014

6 Pole to 8 Pole Truss . . .

I noticed a bit of "collimation" shift on this 17.5" F4.5
for Larry in Burlingame. So, it's now an 8-pole truss for rigidity.
Works great!!


Saturday, February 15, 2014




Completed today is a 17.5" F4.5 for Larry Y. in Burlingame, California. Note the Moonlite 2" 2-speed focuser, Telrad and dew shield. Larry asked that I install encoders as well.
The Mirror Cover Removed. Encoders are installed on both axis.

Detail of the Telrad and Destiny Observatory Grade Curved-Vane Spider.


The Mirror Sits on a Six-Point Flotation Mirror Cell.

Monday, February 10, 2014

Mirror Cell for a 10" F5 for Crispyn in Tuscon, Arizona.
This is a 6-point flotation cell made with aluminum
and Baltic Birch.

Crispyn will mount the mirror cell on his "mirror board".
 
Here's a note from Crispyn received today 2/13.

"Hey Dennis,

The mirror cell arrived today and wow it looks great! I can't wait to get the rest of my scope done so I can mount it! You got this thing done so quickly. Im very impressed thank you.


Crispyn"


The Rocker Box for Larry's 17.5" F4.5 is coming together.
Larry lives in Burlingame, California.



A picture from one of my customers, Mike, in the U.K.
An Evening of Observing. Note Orion in the Sky (Mike says this is a 20 second exposure).
Beautiful.

Sunday, February 9, 2014

17.5" F4.5 for Larry in Burlingame, California.

Here, the Dew Shield is in place.

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Manoj with his 10" F4.5 Ultra.






Manoj, from Campbell, California, came by to pick up his 10" Ultra. Check out his "suitcase" solution to easy on-plane transportation.

Nice..
The Telescope broken down for packing.

Now, let me see!!?? That'll go here, that'll go there.
All ready to go. Total weight, 43#.
And, ready for the airline's "overhead" compartment.


The Moon, Jupiter and M43 looked great.
Note the "red dot" finder on the upper strut.


A neat picture of Matt in Florence, Maine with his 12" F5.
Waiting for the Dark Sky.  A "bit of a chill" was in the air!!