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"!!