Little Projects Now and Then ....

Every now and then I get a small project to help an ATMer.
Here's Alan's JMI "Even Horizon" focuser on a 1/4" thick aluminum
focuser bracket. Plenty sturdy for any application.

Alan lives in Chicago, Illinois. One of my favorite cities.

A 14" Kit Ready to Pack . . .

All completed and ready to pack for shupping, a 14" Kit for Peter
in Canmore, Alberta, Canada. Note the 6-point flotation mirror cell.

14" Kit for Peter Just About Complete....

Peter's rocker box. He asked for a specific size -- this measures 20"x20 7/8"

Peter's 14" Kit Coming Along....

The altitude bearings and rocker box sides taking shape.

A 14" Kit for Peter . . .

Peter asked that I mount the focuser, spider and secondary
on the upper ring. The focuser is a 2-speed Moonlite

I use a laser collimator to confirm that the focuser aligns
with the secondary. Here you see the "dot" in the center.
There is enough up/down, left/right adjustment for this purpose.

Keith and his 17.5" Telescope . . .

Dennis: 

Here is a pic of me and my scope at Killdeer Plains wild life area.  It is working out great. Easier to move than my old scope and setup.  Gave great view of the various objects I viewed.  My friend was with me and he likes it to.  Very good!  I'm very happy!

Keith, (N8LIS)
Galion, Ohio.

Bob's 16" F4.5 --- Just About Complete . . .

I always assemble my telescopes completely so as to check
for fit, finish and motion. In this case -- it's right on!!

The partially assembled OTA and ready to place in the rocker box.

It's easy to grab the top ring of the mirror box and lift the assembly
 into the rocker. A little leverage makes the job a snap. 

Add the "intermediate" ring. Note the washers are "up:
This keeps the top-half of the struts from digging 
into the wood ring.

Add the top half of the struts, strings,
sliding counterweight and finder(s).

Finally, add the top ring. I make the struts a bit "off center".
this puts stress on the assembly as it lines up and
creates a more rigid OTA. Note the strings as well.

The mirror box, strings and mirror cover. I like to
use Lemon Oil Pledge on the bearings surfaces to
clean and lubricate the Ebonystar and Teflon.