Alloy Tube and Rings

[mick pinner]

l've rolled the tube for my new 8" newt and fabricated new rings.
the tube is .8mm aluminium with a 10mm fold for rigidity at each end and then fitted the collars from the original skywatcher tube.
a set of baffles will be fitted in the next couple of days.
the rings are machined from 20mm aluminium plate and drilled to suit a modified Losmandy plate, holes in the side of the rings allow fitting another Losmandy plate which will hold a Stellavue 13 x 80 finder, this also allows the weight of the finder to go back over the mount and balance with a lot less counterweights.

[gbeal]

Man, impressive Mick, well done. Colour soon?
Gary

[AlexN]

I agree... The rings and tube are indeed impressive... I'd be going with a black powder coating if I were you... That would look awesome!

[mick pinner]

bite your tounge Alex. l'm a spraypainter, powdercoat indeed.;)
l haven't decieded yet but l can get carbon fibre vinyl wrap, might look good too.

[AlexN]

Lol.. ooops! :) If it makes you feel better, I'm a painter (not for work, as another of my artistic hobbies...) Yes the CF look wrap would be good too, I just think black would go well with the mount etc..

[Garyh]

Very nice Mike! It`s gonna look real nice once painted. Black would be spiffy!
Can I ask how much it cost for the rings to be made? as I would love to get some made up but havn`t found anyone that could do them.
cheers

[gary]

Hi Mick,

Nice machining!

[mick pinner]

a photo of the trial fit of the JMI EV focuser and Robo Focus, l've extended the tube to help with any stray light hitting the secondary. also a pic of the secondary spider in place.

[mick pinner]

decieded to go traditional and paint it white, a few finishing touches and will be ready for first light very soon.

[gary]

Hi Mick,

Almost as good as powdercoat (he says with tongue in cheek). :)

Congratulations on such a beautifully executed piece of work. In the running for
the First Prize at the ATM Awards at any major star party would be a given.

Good luck with First Light & may it deliver photons on demand for many, many years.

Best Regards

Gary

[mswhin63]

Wonderful piece, have a great time using it.

[allan gould]

Excellent Mick. You said you rolled the tube yourself. Any chance of you rolling one for a refractor I have in mind?

[lacad01]

Fantastic work Mick, that looks outstanding.:thumbsup: