The Kunama Reflector - Page 7

OzEclipse (Joe Cali) · #**121** 26-08-2015, 12:43 AM

Matt,

A work of art!

Joe

multiweb (Marc) · #**122** 26-08-2015, 08:21 AM

That looks terrific Matt. Too beautiful to use.

The attention to details is quite extraordinary. Quite a showpiece.

Kunama · #**123** 26-08-2015, 08:27 PM

Many thanks Neil, Joe and Marc.

It may well spend a large part of its life on the loungeroom floor as my granddaughter is keeping me on my toes, so I thought I might as well try to make it presentable.
Tomorrow is stainless steel drilling day to convert it into a wheelbarrow, then a little more time at the powdercoaters and the rest can be bolted together .............

The initial timeframe was for it to be ready for Christmas so I am really pleased to be ahead of schedule. ......

At this rate I will be able to start on the 8" F8.8 refractor before the end of the year !!!!

Kunama · #**124** 28-08-2015, 04:35 PM

I managed a little bit of detail work today:

Pivot bolt and brass bushing.......

The bolt was a vintage handmade 1/2" x 5" bolt looking to be put to use again .......
1. Remove the rust and scale
2. Extend the BSW 1/2" thread another 2" down the bolt and cut the bolt to length
3. Drill 1/4" hole into the head for the encoder shaft
4. Drill and tap M4 x 0.7 thread into the side of the head for lock screw
5. Make a base plate
6. Weld 1/2" BSW s/s nut onto the plate
7. Grind the welded nut round (ish ! )
8. Spray primer
9. Spray gold
10.Spray black specks
11.Turn and polish 1.25" OD, 1/2" ID x 1/4" brass bushing to be recessed into rocker box
12.Photograph for posterity

Sometimes I think the OCD is getting the better of me .........
Edit: In case anyone is wondering .... yes I did polish the end of the bolt to a mirror shine and then sprayed the threads with liquid Teflon.

MattT · #**125** 28-08-2015, 04:57 PM

Can't have enough OCD when it comes to building scopes….I should know

Step 11 intrigues me….do you now have a lathe of sorts? Or is the drill in a vice 'lathe'?

Kunama · #**126** 28-08-2015, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattT

Can't have enough OCD when it comes to building scopes….I should know

Step 11 intrigues me….do you now have a lathe of sorts? Or is the drill in a vice 'lathe'?

Re: Step 11 ..... unfortunately not mine

but one I can now access for little jobs.

Octane (Humayun) · #**127** 29-08-2015, 03:59 PM

Trying to lift my jaw off the floor.

What a magnificent work of art.

H

Kunama · #**128** 30-08-2015, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Octane

Trying to lift my jaw off the floor.

What a magnificent work of art.

H

Thanks Humayun,
I did some calculations for the Teflon pads today so had to weigh the beast,
Alt bearing pads will be carrying 60kg, with the rocker adding 15kg to the azimuth bearing load.
adding the groundboard, wheels and handles, some electrics will see a total weight of 90Kg so it is still lighter than me !

Once complete, I will take it up to Stromlo for a few pictures .........

Atmos (Colin) · #**129** 30-08-2015, 10:06 PM

I am loving the wood finish, to me it appears like a telescope that should be sitting on the deck of a polished 1800's boat

Why you'd put it there I have no idea though!

Kunama · #**130** 31-08-2015, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atmos

I am loving the wood finish, to me it appears like a telescope that should be sitting on the deck of a polished 1800's boat

Why you'd put it there I have no idea though!

Thanks Colin, as long as nobody suggests it would be better as a boat anchor I will be happy!

rrussell1962 · #**131** 31-08-2015, 04:16 PM

90 kg may sound heavy, but the wonderful thing is that with the handles it is very easy to move about. Wheel the rocker box and mirror box out. Another trip for the truss poles and UTA. Quicker to set up than my Nexstar 8se. The Obsession takes around 12 minutes including collimation. Oh-and then 2 hours to cool down! but when it is cooled.....wow. Matt, seriously a work of art. I look forward to seeing the pictures of the finished telescope.

Kunama · #**132** 02-09-2015, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrussell1962

90 kg may sound heavy, but the wonderful thing is that with the handles it is very easy to move about. Wheel the rocker box and mirror box out. Another trip for the truss poles and UTA. Quicker to set up than my Nexstar 8se. The Obsession takes around 12 minutes including collimation. Oh-and then 2 hours to cool down! but when it is cooled.....wow. Matt, seriously a work of art. I look forward to seeing the pictures of the finished telescope.

Thanks again Richard, I hope to get the wheelie bars fitted this weekend. Pictures will follow in about 2 weeks when it is all put together .......

in the meantime I hope you like today's tidbit of detailing:

1. Take one ordinary looking Telrad finder .......
2. dismantle it
3. slice off raised lettering
4. sand flat surfaces with 180grit
5. prime with plumbers primer (very carefully !!!!! )
6. take a sheet of 0.6mm Hoop Pine veneer
7. cut infill for the Telrad sides top and collimation panel
8. stain with Wattyl Dark Jarrah
9. Clear coat with Cabothane
10. Put it all back together again ........

Now doesn't that blend in better with the Dobsonian box work???

P.S. The 4 brass screws are on order and will be fitted asap

LewisM · #**133** 02-09-2015, 07:14 PM

OMG OMG OMG! (said with an Effie accent)

Seriously OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Octane (Humayun) · #**134** 02-09-2015, 07:57 PM

That is sensational. I can't even begin to imagine the amount of work you have put in. I know nothing of this craft!

H

LewisM · #**135** 03-09-2015, 05:06 PM

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery...

I went with elm.

I just had to have one

FlashDrive (Poppy) · #**136** 03-09-2015, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kunama

in the meantime I hope you like today's tidbit of detailing:

1. Take one ordinary looking Telrad finder .......
2. dismantle it
3. slice off raised lettering
4. sand flat surfaces with 180grit
5. prime with plumbers primer (very carefully !!!!! )
6. take a sheet of 0.6mm Hoop Pine veneer
7. cut infill for the Telrad sides top and collimation panel
8. stain with Wattyl Dark Jarrah
9. Clear coat with Cabothane
10. Put it all back together again ........

Now doesn't that blend in better with the Dobsonian box work???

P.S. The 4 brass screws are on order and will be fitted asap

This is getting too much for me ...I gotta sit down and read this again...

You should start a ' production ' run on this ...I'll be 1st to buy....

Well done...I like it....I want one.....

Col......