John T's 13.1" F4.5 - A Couple of Days Away
From Completion -- I need to finish the Ground
Board and Add the Sky Commander and DSC Stalk

Rocker Box for John T's 13.1" F4.5 starts to take shape.

John's 13.1" F4.5 OTA -- alt bearings have been installed. Next is the rocker box.

13.1" F4.5 Telescope for
John T., Jackson MI.

John T's 13.1" F4.5 optical tube assembly (OTA) is virtually complete. I need only attach the alt bearings and finish the rocker box. My goal is to complete the telescope by the end of this week.

Note this telescope has the "ETT" option. The Easy Transport Telescope option has 1/2 the length of the struts with a reinforcing intermediate ring to add rigidity. The struts are 51.5" long (each of the 6 smaller struts is 25.75" long for "easy transport").

Mirror Board with Mirror cover, Top Rings
Moonlite Focuser and Destiny Spider Installed.

A bit more progress on John T's 13.1" F4.5 telescope.

The 13.1" mirror on the 6-point mirror cell and mirror cover
now complete.

I include a "custom fit" mirror cover with all my telescopes.

Works continues . . .

6-point flotation mirror cell installed on mirror board
(Since this is light mirror, a Baltic birch/aluminium cell works well)

Progress continues on John T's 13.1" telescope with a Coulter mirror. The mirror and secondary has a 96% enhanced coating -- brand new. This is going to make a nice telescope!!

The mirror cell and mirror board from the rear.

Silicone has been applied to the 6-point cell.
The center rear of the mirror is marked with a "donut".

Once the mirror cell has been applied to the mirror the
silicone needs 24-hours to cure. You can see the 3.1" secondary to the lft.

I want to thank everyone for their patience during my absence. I was traveling -- and now am back in the shop. Once I get through this crazy "jet-lag" I'll get busy. Probably this coming Saturday.

David and Donna T.
from Fort Worth, Texas

Meanwhile, I was treated to a visit from one of my customers, David and his wife Donna from Fort Worth Texas. We had a delightful visit, shared lots of interesting stories, got to know each other and enjoyed lunch together.

And, my invitation to you is simple. If you're in the Palm Springs (Palm Desert) area, I'm always available for a face-to-face!!

Any time.....