What do people use for telescope tubes?

[ed9428]

Hi everyone.

Wondering where people get their tube from.
I will be needing 140mm diameter tubes but not sure where to source them from.
And not sure what material it should be made of, guessing aluminium. It will be for a refractor and I want it light weight. Will need about 1.6 metres of it.

Cheers,
Kris.

[Rod]

Hi Kris

I like wooden tubes. I usually make octagons but a square one would be fine. In a refractor,you can use the baffles to help support the structure if you wish and keep the weight down using a thinner ply. I haven't made refractors just reflectors but there are wooden tube refractor examples on this forum.

I just did a quick search and came across this example:

http://www.cloudynights.com/topic/486119-6-f15-wood-refractor/

Rod

[glend]

I don't use tubes on the scopes I build - preferring carbon fibre struts. You can always make a shroud, and building in baffles at station rings still give you contrast protection.

[ed9428]

Great suggestions.
I think the wood design may get a bit heavy. I hadn't considered struts though. Just had a google around and found this:
http://www.cloudynights.com/topic/455127-istar-asteria-tcr-204-8-r35/
Looks perfect. Nice looking, cheap and light.

[hamiland]

I've successfully used PVC plumbing pipe in the past, the larger diameter end could come in handy?

[bojan]

Paper tubes are great.
http://www.thetubeworks.com.au/mailing-packing-tubes.html
http://www.darpac.com.au/product_cardboardtubes.html (http://www.imagescience.com.au/kb/questions/172/How+to+Package+Printed+Works+for+Ma iling)
I have used 8" mailing tube for one of my projects.

Au Post sells 90mm diameter max.
http://stationery.auspost.com.au/packaging-industrial/packaging-mailing/packaging-protection/mailing-tubes.html

DIY:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-your-own-Kraft-Paper-Tubes/

[MattT]

Try R P Wallis. http://spareco.com.au/exhaust/tube/tube-aluminium.html

It isn't cheap. I used 3mm thick 152mm diameter x 1500mm long aluminium tube that weighs 5-6kgs for my 6" f12 refractor I built a few years back. Didn't know about RP Wallis and thinner tube.

Matt