Design for 14" conical mirror support cell?

[Doogs38]

Hi. I recently bought the book "The Dobsonian Telescope' (Kriege & Berry) because I'm very keen to have a crack at making a lightweight dob during 2014. I intend to use the 14" Skywatcher conical mirror and associated secondary that is in my current DIY dob. For the mirror support cell in my yet-to-be-built dob, I could do one of two things: (a) reuse the mirror support hardware in my current dob but IMO it's too heavy and closed; or (b) make something very simple, light and open. I'm keen on option (b), however, the book has a *lot* of info in making a mirror cell etc for a standard thick mirror, but nothing for a conical mirror. From what I've seen, conical mirror support cells are (comparatively) very simple but before I come up with my own design, I thought there might be someone who has travelled this path before me and could offer some advice, tips, hints, a design etc. Thanks, Alex. :thanx:

[Satchmo]

Alex , Just glue the mirror down with a ring of silicone to a back plate that has 3 push pull screws at the rim for collimation. Other than that requirement make the backplate as minimal as possible for good ventilation ( think three arms with a disc in the middle for mounting the mirror ) . If from thin aluminum plate , you can cut with a fine tooth blade jigsaw.

[Doogs38]

Hi Mark and thanks for the feedback. What you've described is essentially what I had in mind ... something similar to what is shown for the 12.5" Serrurier truss Newtonian (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment_browse.php?a=152677) found in this forum. It's light, simple, very open and would be easy to manufacture. Mirror cells for standard mirrors seem so complex in comparison!

[SkyViking]

Hi Alex, you beat me to it :) There is nothing more to my mirror cell than what you see in the photo, it is that simple. No obstructing mirror clips or complicated support structures.
I don't know if your mirror has a bolt in the centre like mine, but if not then I'm sure Mark's advise re silicone would serve the same purpose.

Here are a couple more pics for you:
http://www.rolfolsenastrophotography.com/Category/125-inch-Serrurier-Truss/i-4NnJkgD/0/X3/IMG_0305-X3.jpg
http://www.rolfolsenastrophotography.com/Category/125-inch-Serrurier-Truss/i-Qdh5Gm8/0/X3/IMG_0303-X3.jpg

[Doogs38]

Hi Rolf. I never said 'thanks' for your help. Please pardoned my bad manners! Thanks mate :)