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| As the OTA nears completion, I can now begin work on the rocker box. I assemble the rocker with clamps to check the fit. In this case, the fit is just right!! |
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| With Keith's mirror box complete, I should be able to complete the entire OTa by mid-week. In this photo, note the Moonlite truss blocks. Ten 1.25" struts make for a nice rigid assembly. |
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| Once I add the altitude bearings, the OTA will be complete. |
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| The rear of the mirror board. Note the 'feet" which support the OTA when standing alone. The rear of the 6-point mirror cell and larger ventilation hole. |
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| The mirror board with custom mirror cover and UTA. |
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| Here the mirror cover is removed. The 17.5" mirror is a beauty!! |
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| Keith's UTA sports a Moonlite 2-speed 2" focuser with compression ring, Destiny Observatory 4-vane curved-vane spider and Moonlite truss components. The narrower finder board will take any base, including the Telrad. |
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| Detail of the truss blocks and spider/secondary. |
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| The nice ting about the Destiny spider is that it is spring-loaded and easy to collimate. The observatory grade spider is VERY rigid. |
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| Keith's UTA is coming along nicely. Here the focuser and finder boards are in place. The "enclosure" is in place as well. |
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| Beginnings of Keith's Upper Tube Assembly for his 17.5" F4.5 These are the focuser and finder boards. |
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| Destiny Observatory Grade Spider. Nice and solid. |
