A 10" Baltic Birch Mirror Cell..

For John's 10" telescope. John lives in
Leander, Texas.

 

Finally, some star-party activity at Sawmill Trail
14-miles up the hill at 4K feet from the house.

 

A Bit More on the 10" and 14.7" Kits...

The 14.7" kit (L) and 10" kit rocker
box sides and altitude bearings.

One of the rocker boxes assembled with
clamps to check fit. They're both similar.

So far, so good!! 

 

An Equatorial Platform . . .

Here's Dan's 17" Dobstuff on a Tom Osypowski equatorial platform. The things with this platform is that it "is" the ground board.   Check out Tom's website:

http://www.equatorialplatforms.com/A great solution to the need for an equatorial telescope -- AND, it'll let you do some astrophotography without worrying about "field rotation".

 

A 10" and 14.7" Kit ...

 A couple of string-strut kits are underway. One for Craig's 14.7" F4.2 optics and the other for Glenn's 10" F6. both with strings. The 14.7" will include the 'easy telescope transport" with intermate ring.  Here, the OTA rings are virtually completed. 

A Note from Maria from Stellafane...

 

Maria and her 12.5" Dobstuff

Hi Dennis,  Just dropping a line to say that I'm loving my telescope. We (the telescope and I) attended the 86th Annual Stellafane Convention in Springfield, VT. Everyone who tried the telescope was impressed with how smoothly it moves.

This was the first time that I've used my scope under darker skies and the views were amazing!  We had a couple of nights of good weather to enjoy the beautiful sights. Thanks again!

Clear skies!

Maria

A Couple of Photos and Nice Note from John...

"I have a telescope again!  Hooray.

Everything fits, it moves well -- no sticking or binding. I could probably cut the rocker box down 4-6in, but I like the height for now. I could also put some lightweight holes into it. But now I just want to get it outside under the stars! I'm so glad I found you and your kit. This will get me back into observing again.

I will stay in touch. maybe you and Linda can make it out here sometime."

John.
Solvang, CA.

John and his 12.5" Strut Kit...

A super visit by John from Solvane, CA. John stopped by Palm Desert to visit some friends and pick up his 12.5" strut-kit. We enjoyed talking about telescopes and optics. John is an "optical engineer" who had worked on the Hubble and Webb telescopes. How "cool is that"!!

Completed: A 10" F6 for David in College Place, Washington...

Completed is David's 10" F6 with premium optics, strings, "Easy Transport", and a couple of finder options. Under the stars this telescope performed beautifully -- even though the optics (a full thickness mirror) hadn't quite cooled as yet. The motions are just what I like -- buttery smooth. Note the "break" for a change in EPs and options at the focuser. A Sky Commander is also installed.

A 10" F6 for David in College Park, Washington...

 A "work in progress", Dave's 10" F6 with premium optics. At this stage I like to put the OTA onto the rocker box check check balance and altitude motions. These are just right. 

I need to finish the rocker box bottom/ground board, add the strings and Sky Commander and give the telescope one more run under the stars before packaging.

A 14" F3.5 for Steve in Springfield, Vermont....

 A beautiful Hubble Optics primary and high-end Antares 3.5" secondary set the standard for this outstanding telescope. Note the "easy transport" option, strings and Feathertouch focuser with integrated Paracorr. 

A 20" for Paul near Honolulu, Hawaii...

Just about complete is a 20" F3.3 for Paul near Honolulu, Hawaii. The Hubble Optics mirror, itself, is the heaviest component of the telescope. At this stage, with the sides of the rocker box completed, I like to assemble the telescope to check for fit, balance and motion. This one is "just right"!!  Now, on to completing the rocker box bottom, ground board and installing the encoders -- and it'll be time to ship this beauty!!