A 12" F4.9 for Joe G. in
Palos Verdes, CA.

The final stage of building the OTA before finishing it completely. I calculate the length of the OTA and use "test struts" under the stars. If any adjustments have to be made -- I can move the struts up/down to bring all my eyepieces into focus.

Once complete, I finish the OTA and move on to finishing the rocker box. The scope is about 10-14 days from completion.

Ultimately, this scope will be a "truss" optical tube assembly.

Stay tuned.....

The completed upper tube assembly. Joe's telescope includes the
use of a beautiful Feathertouch focuser by Starlight Instruments.
Note the Telrad base and Destiny curved-vane spider.

Completed, now, is the mirror box and upper tube assembly for Joe G's 12" F4.9 truss telescope. Once the OTA is tested (with the adjustable struts for focus) and is completed, it doesn't take too long to complete the telescope.

Note that the mirror box is about twice the length of my usual design. Joe asked for this modification as a way to control stray light in an otherwise light-polluted backyard (I think)!!

More to follow....

The "mirror box" with mirror cover installed.
No dew shield.

The completed "mirror box" with dew shield in-place.

U.P.S. did a good job of delivering the box undamaged!

Just received a 15" F4 for Clay T. in Hendersonville, N.C. Included is the matching 3.1" secondary. Both mirrors were just recoated by Spectrum Coatings with a 98% enhanced aluminum.

Nice...

This mirror set is going to make a great telescope.

An example of "great packaging" for a primary
and secondary telescope mirrors.

3.1" secondary.

Spectrum Coatings does a great job.

DobSTUFF Astronomical Telescopes is pleased to announce that we are now a dealer for Starlight Instruments and their Feathertouch precision focusers. These fine products are 2-inch 2-speed crayford focusers with 2.5" of travel and compression ring.

Feathertouch flat base.

Feathertouch 2" to 1.25" eyepiece adapter.

16" Lightbridge Rocker Box Upgrade.

Now complete and ready to package and ship is a 16" rocker box kit for Michael in Jupiter Florida. I build these for any telescope.

Check out this webpage for info on these.

12" F4.9 Truss "remake".....

Coming together is a 12" F4.9 for Joe G. in Palos Verdes California. It's a "remake" from a solid tube Orion Intelliscope. Joe asked for a longer "mirror box" so you see a 20" version. Usually these are 12" on scopes like this. It'll be a truss telescope with a  Sky Commander, so it's going to look unique!!

The 9-point mirror cell is in place. There will be a black shield in the mirror box to protect the viewer from light and dew.

Projects Underway and Complete...

Just about complete is a 16"
"kit" for a Lightbridge rocker box upgrade for Michael S. in Jupiter, Florida (don't you just love the city name for an astronomer??)

As always, I put the project together with clamps to be sure of the fit.

(the blue tape indicates the "inside" of the component.)














Michael asked that the rocker box be lightened somewhat -- so I've put a hole in the front of the cross support. It retains the integrity of the construction while removing some of the weight.