A Solar Eclipse Anyone . . .

All ready for the solar eclipse on 8/21 -- I'll have some guests for
coffee and goodies. Here's a solar projection screen set-up I built
for the occasion. The NexStar 80GT mount tracks perfectly.

It works just right.

Philip's 15" Kit Nearly Complete ...

Except for a couple of small items, Philip's 15" string-strut kit is completed.
I can start packaging this for delivery and add the last "piece" tomorrow.

This is going to make a nice telescope!!

More on Philip's 15" F5 Telescope Kit. . .

Philip sent along his mirror cell, focuser and spider for mounting.

A Rocker Box for Philip's 15" Telescope . . .

As always I assemble the rocker box with clamps to be sure of the "fit".
This one, for Philip's 15" string-strut kit is just right.

All of my kits have "pre-drilled" and counter-sunk holes for easy assembly.

David's 8 inch Rocker Box Completed .. .

Rocker box and rings for Dave's 8-inch "tube" telescope.

I just need to "touch up" the varnish a little bit
 and let it cure for a day or two.

A bit of extra side support and oversized ground board for stability.

While this is NOT David's telescope, it's similar to form.

Two Projects Continued . . .

The rocker box for David's 8" tube-telescope is coming
along nicely. Here's it has been assembled and
varnished. Now to make the bottom and ground board.

The rocker box sides and altitude bearings for Philip's
15" F5 string'strut telescope are just about completed.

An 8" Rocker Box and 15" Kit Underway . . .

A rocker box, altitude bearings and
OTA rings for David in Avon Park FL.

This is the early stage. More changes
are coming along!!

Philip, in Fairbanks, Alaska, sent along his 15" Discovery mirror cell
to integrate onto my mirror board. On this particular kit, the
I.D. of the OTA rings is 18" -- just right for the mirror cell and spider.

The Discovery mirror cell fits nicely. I've changed the wing nuts
for three-point threaded knobs. It's easier to use and looks nicer.

All the OTA rings. This kit also includes the ETT option with "strings".