Where do I get a ATM refractor parts from?

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Im am sort of entertaining the idea of making a refractor. (well, not making the lens, but just mounting a premade one onto a tube/focuser)

What is the best material to use for the tubing, and where would I get it? What about the focusers?

Thanks :-)

[IanW]

PVC pipe works well, so does aluminium thin wall tubing.

Try a few electricians for the piping, otherwise you'll have to buy a 3m length. Obrien aluminium in Sydney carry a good range of drawn aluminium tube and they will cut to length.

Refractor focusers are problematic at best, you can pay a lot for a good refractor focuser with the Van Slyke units being about the best on the market, prices range from around 650 USD to 2K USD, next down are the Astrophysics and Takahashi units at around 700-1100 USD and for mere mortals there's focusers from the likes of ClearVue from around 60 USD.

Obrien Aluminium
www.obrien-aluminium.com.au

Van Slyke:
http://www.observatory.org/index.htm

ClearVue Optics: http://www.clearvueoptics.com/focusers.htm

Don't forget you'll need to baffle the tube internally. Baffles should be quite thin and 1mm sheet aluminium is an ideal candidate.

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Fantastic info, thanks so much :D

I have been reading about internal baffling, and have seen a page that shows where to place them, based on the diameter and focal length of the lens...What is the consequence on not putting in baffling?

[IanW]

Essentially without baffles a refractor exhibits some light scatter and reduced contrast. It's the same with any OTA by the way, baffling a Newtonian with a correct set of baffles increases the contrast noticably.