Thursday, March 31, 2016

Gerard, from Santiago, Chile, and his Telescope.... .


They say that imitation is the highest form of flattery!!

Here's a letter from Gerard, in Chile, and his "dobstuff inspired" telescope. It is great to hear from folks throughout the world who use our design as an inspiration to build their own telescope. Thanks Gerard.


"Dear Dennis,

Thank you!

Dobstuff and Stellafane have been material in my quest to turn a random and – at first sight – useless gift (a 6” primary plus diagonal) into a real, working telescope. Although I’m something of a handyman and definitely an astronomy enthusiast, telescopes were not even on my radar, only a few years ago. My modest 6”, optimized for astro-photography, is the result of a – much interrupted – 3 year project, which has now seen first light.

I very much liked your design and have shamelessly copied it to my own advantage, even tough many of the parts you use habitually are not available in my market (Chile). As such, I have adapted accordingly, mainly by using pressure-grade PVC and ordinary laminate or melaminated woods, rather than Ebonystar. It works well enough, at least for such a small telescope.

On the way, I have made the many errors (and probably some more) you probably also commited on your way to making this an industrialized process. Practice makes perfect…
In particular, I had great trouble to properly position the altitude bearings as the below picture demonstrates. Any pointers you might have are appreciated.

In the process, I have built my own Crayford focusser (currently v.2), counterweight system, invented my own spider- and focuser set-up plus a few things more. They’ll likely won’t work that well, but the fun is in the coming up with stuff – that’s time well spent.  Next: a 10” f/5

One of the things production involves is drilling many rounded holes; mine are generally very rough, except the large ones, cut with the router.

Thank you again for the inspiration.

Kind regards,
Gerard Prins

(PS: your workshop must be a woodworksman’s haven)"

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Joe's 14" Nearly Complete . . .

Nearly complete, I need to finish the DSC stalk, single fan and  dew shield.
The telescope will have a Sky Commander DSC system as well.

Saturday, March 26, 2016

Joe's 14" -- Rocker Box and . . .. .

With the altitude bearings attached (so that the telescope balances correctly)
the rocker box and completion follows. I'll be adding a Sky
Commander and DSC stalk to Joe's rocker box. Nice!!
Once the altitude bearings are in place, the rocker box starts to take shape.

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

More on Joe's 14" . . .

The Upper Tube Assembly (sans the Telrad) an "mirror box" are pretty
much complete. The primary dew shield is yet to be installed.

Monday, March 21, 2016

Sunday, March 20, 2016

Joe's 14" F4.5 Continued . . .

Joe's 14" F4.5 Parks mirror on the 9-point flotation cell and on the mirror board.

The all aluminum mirror cell with ventilation holes for quick cooling.
There are 3 "feet" for set the OTA on if needed.

The mirror board with custom mirror cover in place.

The Moonlite 2-speed 2" crayford focuser is mounted. You can see
the Destiny 4-vane curved-vane spider as well.

Thursday, March 17, 2016

Joe's Upper Tube Assembly . . .

The Upper Tube Assembly (UTA) for Joe's 14" F4.5 telescope. The spider is a
Destiny 4-vane curved-vane spider. The focuser will be a "red" Moonlite.

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Chris' 17.5" F4.5 Old and New Rocker Box Upgrade ....A

A rocker box and altitude bearing upgrade for this
17.5" F4.5 telescope.


12" Lightbridge Rocker Box Upgrade....

Beginning a 12" rocker box upgrade for a Lightbridge telescope
for Mike in Oberlin, Ohio.

17.5" Rocker Box for Chris . . .Thris

23" Altitude Bearings and lower profile rocker box removes
75% of the weight. In addition, a Sky commander was added.




Add caption


Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Chris' 17.5" Rocker Box Upgrade . . .

Greatly reduced size and weight of Chris' 17.5" F4.5 Truss Telescope.

I'll install a Sky Commander for this telescope.
Nice!!

If the altitude bearings are removed -- they'll be held in place with
bolts with wing nuts -- the mirror box will "nest" into the rocker box.

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Joe's 14" and Chris' Rocker Box . . .

A look at the new rocker box for Chris' 17.5" truss telescope.
Quite a difference. It will now that 23" altitude bearings instead
of the older 10" size. 
Joe's 14" rocker box and altitude bearings start coming together.
The bearing are 21" in diameter -- the perfect size for a 14".






Monday, March 7, 2016

17" Mirror Box/Altitude Bearings . . .

Chris, in Ontario, California, and his traditional 17.5" truss telescope.
The balance isn't too good and the rocker box is VERY heavy!!
I've managed to fit this project in between another two. Here, I'll add larger
altitude bearings with dramatically reduce the size and weight of his
rocker box.
Larger altitude bearings will greatly improve the balance and
general handling of his telescope. More photos will follow
.



Thursday, March 3, 2016

A 14" Truss Telescope . . .


Underway is a 14" F4.5 truss telescope for Joe M. Here
the Upper Tube Assembly (UTA) is in the early stages of construction.
The 14" UTA with baffle installed.

And, the Mirror Box rings (excuse the "false color" --
it must be the lighting!!