SDM (Peter Read) is close to completing my 20 inch dob!

[Rodstar]

What did you think of Peter Read's talk at IISAC 2007?

I was a little more interested than most in listening to Peter because he is in the process of building me a new 20" scope. While I listened to Peter speak my overwhelming feeling was relief that I had not attempted to build the scope myself. It is a very complex process, which Peter makes look very easy.

Anyway, here are some pictures Peter has sent to me of my scope, very near completion. We have been waiting some considerable time for OMI Torus to complete the mirror. The mirror has finally been completed with a Strehl of 0.94 (and is now off at the coaters), and so it will be shipped to Australia shortly.

The pictures below show the scope in its almost complete state (with Peter Read proudly standing next to her in one shot). The truss poles will need to be cut to size when the exact focal length of the primary mirror is known, and rubber covers then placed on them.

You will note the altitudinal bearings are coated in gun-metal grey which, with the darker grained cabinetry work and gold focuser makes for a very smart and distinctive look (distinctly continental!)

I am almost beside myself in anticipation. :scared: :) :screwy:

Peter told me on the phone today that he is running a 12.5% special off the listed webprices at the moment. He is taking orders for delivery later in the year.....if you are tempted you should give him a call. Go on.....;) His contact details can be found at www.sdmtelescopes.com.au

[matt]

What pictures?

[Rodstar]

Oooops! Pictures didn't attach. See below (I hope):

[matt]

Now, that's more like it...

and very nice indeed!:thumbsup:

[jjjnettie]

Very nice Rod, I bet it'll look even better in person.

[wavelandscott]

Looks pretty sweet!

I hope you get it soon!!!

[[1ponders]]

There's no doubt about it, the man's a real artist. Oh to have one that can track equatorially :love:

[Starkler]

Rod its great that Peter has nearly finished your scope, it means that he can then start work on mine ;)

Thats a really nice gloss on the woodwork isnt it :eyepop:
Thanks for the photos, it makes my future scope much easier to visualise :D

[seeker372011]

see you-and the new scope hopefully-at wiruna!

[iceman]

Beautiful!

Can't wait for you to get it :)

I thought Peter's talk was very interesting, even though i'm not much into woodwork :)

[Orion]

Congratulations Rod.

By what I have seen and heard from his talk he gave at the camp his telescopes are superior to the Obsessions in quality.

By your photos I see that he uses the same truss tube clamps on the mirror cage as I have my scope. I believe that the clamps make it easier to set up from my experience....Nice choice.

[Rodstar]

Thanks for your interest Matt, jjjnettie, Scott, Paul, Geoff, Narayan, Mike and Ed!

Geoff, my scope is the first where Peter has gone for a semi-gloss rather than the full gloss, and I reckon it comes up beautifully. I am aware from an Email Peter Read sent to me that he is well on the way with yours....you will have a great scope very soon.

Narayan, I will definitely be at Wiruna at SPSP15, this time sans kids, so I will be somewhat more free to socialise and observe with you. It will be great to show you my new toy!

Ed, you are right about the clamps. Peter can put up the trusses and secondary cage in about 60 seconds. The Obsession system takes a lot longer than that!

So, who is the next IISer to place an order with SDM?

[Satchmo]

Rod , Congratulations on the imminent arrival of your telescope :) .

I think attitude to building scopes is a variable and personal thing. Just to provide a bit of balance here, I've supplied dozens of 16" to 22" mirrors across Australia who've found the process of building a big scope via Dave Kriege of Obsessions' book " The Modern Dobsonian" a thoroughly straight forward and enjoyable experience .
SDM certainly have a very fine product and I'm almost envious of people who can afford $15,000 for a finished 20" scope. But building one yourself is by no means beyond many Amateur Astronomers and they don't find the process necessarily very complex, so I would encourage people who don't have that kind of money to spend don't be discouraged to look at other alternatives.

Mark

[Orion]

I certainly agree!

[RB]

That's great news Rod, I can't wait.

The photos look fantastic, it's a beautiful work of art by the looks of it !

:eyepop:

[g__day]

Well I looked through an F3.7 24" one at Magellan Observatory (the review and write up should be posted soon) that Peter built for Zane. Put simply it was surperb - rock steady, brilliant goto and tracking, focuser was best I've ever seen, but the optics were to die for - like having the hubble space telescope in your hands!

There are not enough superlatives, the version of scope I played with for a few hours is simply awesome - well selected!

[Rodstar]

Mark and Ed,

Some people enjoy the process of making a scope....to people with such interests and skills, I take my hat off to them.

However, the fact, notwithstanding Kriege's book having been out for so many years, that Obsession continues to sell hundreds of scopes every year tells me something....most people do not have the confidence, time, equipment, skills or experience (or any combination thereof) to get something like this made themselves. I have seen some beautiful ATM efforts in the last few years, but they are, realistically, thin on the ground.

In my case, even if I had the technical skills and equipment to do such job (which I simply do not have), I would not have the time with a busy family (3 kids) to embark upon such a job. It is hard enough keeping up with the loads of washing.... Most of the amateurs I know are in much the same position.

In relation to the quality of the end product, Peter's finely honed skills (having made many scopes already and therefore having learnt what works best) will produce a far superior product to anything most amateurs could dream of producing.

As to the issue of cost, I guess we all prioritise our money in different ways.....some pour their money into their home, their car(s), their boat, their business, their music collection etc etc. In the scheme of things, $10-12K for such an amazing scientific instrument is a small price to pay (IMO).

Mark, what do you think about people attempting to grind their own mirrors?

[xstream]

Great news Rod.

I can hardly wait to have a look through her at Wiruna!

[beren]

:) wow what a beauty, congrats Rod it would be a treat to look through a scope like that....looks like you'll need a ladder, one with a wood-grain finish :thumbsup:

[CoombellKid]

Excellent Rod!! very nice.

I saw an Obsession up at astrofest Qld last year, and to tell you the truth
with an SDM sitting on the field nearby. The Obsession looked pretty tacky
in comparison to the workmanship of the SDM.

regards,CS

[Rodstar]

Chris,

I know a few blokes with Obsessions, and they have the same view. The Obsessions are not quite as well made as the SDM scopes.

[Rodstar]

Thanks for your comments, Andrew, John, G_day and Beren. Isn't she a little (actually huge) beauty!

A classy ladder will go down nicely. John Bambury (Ausastronomer) has already made me some wooden ramps that look superb (thanks John!).

[Orion]

I also take my hat of to those that are willing to have a go despite the circumstances. Time to most of us is precious but we make time for the things we enjoy. Just because we build telescopes doesnt mean that we have more time than others.

I have found in the ATM community that a beginner is always welcomed and help is there for them concerning the construction of a telescope.

The people with skills.... good on them, and the people without the skill and are still willing to have a go ;) :thumbsup:

[Starkler]

I'm sure that those who go down the ATM road get to enjoy a sense of pride and accomplishment after successfully building a telescope that I will not.

If I had friends with all the required tools, table saw, router, drill press, various carpentry tools and sash and corner clamps etc etc, I would have considered building my own.
I did a lot of researching the various options and costs of buying a kit scope, importing an Obsession, or obtaining the tools and materials to build my own.

I came to the conclusion that for really not that much more than the cost of materials, I'm going to be getting an SDM custom scope built by a craftsman that will look fantastic, hopefully last a lifetime, and it will just work ;)

[CoombellKid]

Garranteed when Peter builds it ;) one day I hope to have him build me
a nice sized Dob. But I think I will attempt one myself. I'll have to buy some
of the tools. As I know folks out here in the bush who have most of the tools
required and plus the space in a big shed to do it.

However, I'm green with envy for both you and Rod.

Rod, remember Sept 07 or there abouts, We're not far from Byron:whistle:

regards,CS

[Rodstar]

I'll do what I can, Rob. I would love to view the Northern River skies!:thumbsup:

[Satchmo]

Rod, Its very difficult to get any real perspective on the situation from any one place single in this country and you make some unfounded generelisations there. From what I've learn't over 22 years of optical manufacture the majority of big scope owners do not belong to astronomy clubs or frequent star parties. I have photograghs of dozens of well executed Australian made Obsession style dobsonians that have been built in Australia . They don't all look like peices of furniture , but then Telescopes do not have to have many coats of varnish to work well either:) `Beautiful ATM scopes , thin on the ground' ? I would hope that the modern astronomer will spend a lot more time looking through their scope than at it .



Tinkering and fine tuning a 'scope, learning how to cut a circle, to rub back a coat of varnish is all part of the hobby is not rocket science. Look at Paul Shopis' 12" Binocular as a second scope. Incidentally, the Moonlite Ball and socket truss connectors are causing a revolution for ATMers, making th ejob of connecting mirror box with top end simply a breeze.
I guess I am championing the world of the ATMer, which in this increasingly tiem poor affluent world is becoming a rarity. I understand that Peter's work in building scopes is absolutely superb : I do disagree with the assertion that an intelligent person can't build a very fine functional instrument themselves, and on th efirst attempt..


Rod, I'm all for it .More people should experience it. I think your implication is that while I champion first time builders to build a 20" scope I would perhaps suggest they buy a mirror and not make it as well? Well learning to cut a circle with a router, or cut a stright line with a table saw, is not in the same league as a finishing a large mirror to 1/60,000 mm tolerance, and thats skill that builts up over hundreds of mirrors, not like the quality you can achieve have a after building a handful of telescopes. Most ATMers start off with something small and work there way up. It would be unlikely that you would make a workable 20" mirror without a lot of experience, but you can build a large Dobsonian with Obsession designer Dave Kreiges book `The Modern Dobsonian"

I look forward to seeing your fine 20" instrument at the next Star Party and encourage anyone to be inspired by these instruments but don't think a smooth mount and excellent optics are out of reach of anyone with a modest budget and basic carpentry skills.
Mark

[Satchmo]

Sorry guys , I didn't mean this to look a like a hijack of what is basically an SDM owners/admirers thread. Rod raises some points which challenge my experience and cut to the heart of my philosophy about telescopes and the building of them and I feel strongly about that. I'm going to raise a new thread tomowrrow on the ATM section if anyone wants to contribute thoughts.

Mark

[Darkplague]

If you have the Kriege book it really isnt that difficult to make. My scope took approx 6months to build, but that was only on weekends usually. If I wasnt so fussy, it would have taken me 2 months. But I like to get things as good as I can get them.

I wouldnt consider it an "overwhelming project" at all. If you sit down and plan things out, it really is quite simple. Mark is right, a huge amount of money can be saved if you DIY.

This scope below is the first ever scope I have built, and it turned out way better than I expected it too. The best part of DIY is the sense of accomplishment when you gaze into the EP on a nice night, knowing you are looking at the universe through something you handbuilt.

Having said that I would buy an SDM scope in an instant if I had a lot of spare money!!

[Rodstar]

Lovely job Darkplague! I can imagine you would feel great looking through something you have made yourself.

Mark (Suchting), we obviously mix in different circles....I just don't know many people with practical woodowrking skills....but it is great that there are many people out there (like Darkplague) that do. Are you coming to Wiruna for SPSP15? It would be interesting to continue our discussion there, glass of red wine in hand, of course! BTW, I heard some very impressive remarks about your bino-scope from others at IISAC 07. I would love the opportunity to have a look sometime.

[Satchmo]

Rod , I guess my point was that there are lots of fine telescopes being made out there, you just don't get to hear about them. As a mirror maker, I get to see and collect images of the final scope result often, no matter what part of the country or globe they are tucked away.

Don't know if you noticed them at Lostock but Guy Flemings 20" F5 and Warren Norries 18" F4.5 Unique 3 pole scope are great examples of local telescope making talent, using my optics. Yes , I'll be up at SPSP and happy to show you a folder full of excellent telescopes made by Aussie ATMers. I love the inventiveness and unique style each builder puts into their own 'scope, which is part of the joy of doing it yourself.

The 12" binoculars you heard of were excellently built by Paul Shopis ( his second scope) with my guidance on the bino-technicalities. I'm hoping Paul will make it up to Ilford, and I'm hoping to have some 14" F4.5's of my own finished by then as well.

I am partial to a drop of Red myself :thumbsup: and will no doubt be there to join you in the line of people wowing over your new SDM. I look forward to seeing such a top notch commercial `scope in the flesh.

[AstroJunk]

Rod, I'm so looking forward to your baby being delivered

I'm hope we can get together under dark sky's in 2007 to celebrate our 1/2 meter monsters! Maybe you can make QLD Astrofest this year - there were 3 SDM scopes last year, and there should be 4 or 5 this year with any luck (c'mon mirror makers - we need your optics!). Otherwise we'll have to arrange something in between.

That low sheen finish is stunning (and will be a lot more practical in the field); still, black is better:P ;)

[Rodstar]

It would great to get together, Jonathan. I already have a full observing calendar this year that does not include Duckadang, but maybe 2008?

I love your black scope.....I have a vision of an SDM Dob that is completely the opposite....."Lightbridge White"!

[AstroJunk]

Don't get exited Rod - it's not yours!

But it is John Salini's glorious 18" from galaxy that arrived at SDM this morning!!!!

2007 is going to be a vintage year:thumbsup:

[Odlaw]

Congrats Rod it looks magnificent, How much longer now?

[Rodstar]

G'day Oddy! How's the LX200? I am missing her greatly....when I sold her to you in September last year I had expected my new scope my mid-November. At that stage 2 months without a scope seemed like an infinity. It has now been more like 5 months, and I am having to do lots of deep breathing exercises..... :screwy:

Anyway, the big holdup has been the mirror.....I think OMI have had an explosion of work, which is great for them, but frustrating for those of us on the other side of the world who just have to wait and wait and wait.....:(

Bottom line is that the mirror is at the coater at the moment, and it will then be shipped to Australia with 4 other mirrors that Peter Read has ordered. Peter has been kind enough to offer to collect the mirrors from Melbourne airport, and then expedite completion and delivery. The timing totally depends now on the coaters, but we are all pretty confident I will have my scope no later than new moon in March.....Yeehaa!:D