Thursday, May 31, 2018

Jerry's 12.5" Strut -- Almost Completed ....

Almost completed is Jerry's 12.5" F4.5 string-strut telescope.
I'll install the Sky Commander, strings and dew shield today.
Note the DSC stage and Telrad.

Sunday, May 27, 2018

More on Jerry's 12.5" F4.5 . . .

Jerry's rocker box ant alt bearings fit just right!! Under the stars
this telescope is outstanding!!!

Saturday, May 26, 2018

Riverside Telescope Makers' Conference 2018 . . .

A unique 36" Newtonian with "folded light path".

And, a unique "binocular" telescope.

Just a neat-looking telescope.

Friday, May 25, 2018

An Easy Transport 12.5" for Jerry...

All tested and working just right, this Easy Transport
Strut for Jerry in Birmingham, Alabana The images,
under the stars, were just perfect. NICE!

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Gerry's 12.5" F4.5 String-Strut Telescope . . .

Under contruction is Jerry's 12.5" based on a very nice
 Meade Starfinder primary mirror.

 Note the Destiny curved-vane spider and Moonlite
2-speed 2" crayford focuser.


Jerry lives in Birmingham, Alabama.

Sunday, May 20, 2018

Parts for John's 17.5" Coulter . . .

A 6-point flotation mirror cell, 1.25" focuser, ground board and other
components for John's Coulter Odyssey. John lives in Fresno, California.

Friday, May 18, 2018

A Neat Little Project . . .

The "earth/moon" components now occupy the place of honor
in a "lamp" I built recently. Kinda neat -- I think!!


Marcus' Unusual Strut Telescope . . .

Here's a neat and unusual telescope. Marcus
had me build him a kit with a FULL UTA!!
An unusual design for a strut telescope.

GREAT idea Marcus. Thanks.

Thursday, May 17, 2018

John's 13.1" F4.5 Complete . . .

The "final touches" are completed and John's 13.1" F4.5 truss
telescope is ready to package and ship. Testing last night,
under the stars, proved a great success. 

The rear of the 6-point flotation mirror cell and large ventilation
hole to enhance mirror equalization. Note the "feet"!!

The top ring. Included are a red-dot finder, Moonlite 2-speed 2"
crayford focuser, 3.1" secondary and curved-vane spider.

A fully installed, configured and tested Sky Commander and primary
dew shield are installed. Nice!!

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Trippensee Planetarium . . .

The "earth/moon" components of a 1956 Trippensee Planetarium. I acquired
this on eBay and built the base. Kinda neat -- I think.

This is an example of the complete planetarium. I'm not
sure I understand the "moon" around the sun!!

John's 13.1" F4.5 -- Almost!!

John's 13.1" with Nova Optical Systems certified primary is nearing
completion. I've got to "tweek" the rocker box a bit, build the
primary dew shield and install the Sky Commander.

Note the Moonlite 2-speed focuser, Destiny 3-vane curved-vane spider
and DSC "stage" on the top truss tube.

Sunday, May 13, 2018

Bruce S and his 10" F6 Telescope

Bruce, from the Astronomical Society of the Desert, and his 10"
strut made by Dobstuff. At 4000-feet above the Coachella Valley,
it's a great venue for astronomy and observing.

A bit "chilly" and a little wind, but Bruce is all set up and ready to go.

Thursday, May 10, 2018

John's 13.1" F4.5 OTA...

John's "mirror box" with Moonlite truss blocks.

Ready to testing under the stars tonight, John's OTA
is close to completion. I'll add the altitude bearings next.

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

A 13.1" for John in Suwanee, Georgia . . .

A 3-vane curved-vane supports a 3.1 secondary.
The primary is a Nova Optical Systems "certified" mirror.


The Moonlite 2-speed 2" focuser.

Monday, May 7, 2018

A Smile Every Now and Then ....

I'm working on a 13" truss for John and was ready to cut the
ventilation hole in the mirror board -- and saw it SMILING back at me.

Kinda cool, I thought!!