ATM suppliers in Melbourne

[KMachell]

Hi Folks,
I am planning on building a 150mm F/7 apochromat.
Does anybody know a reliable supplier of optical glass blanks in Melbourne, or anywhere in Oz for that matter?
I have only found suppliers in USA and China who seem reluctant or too busy to reply to us down under.
Mirror blanks seem to be readily available, but BAK and Flint not so.

Thanks.

Ken

[Stefan Buda]

Hi Ken,

No chance for any such supplies in Australia.

Years ago both Schott and Ohara had outlets in Sydney, but these days we are such an engineering backwater that they can't maintain a profitable presence.

Your best bet is to contact Ohara in Germany or try to negotiate with suppliers on Alibaba.

Stefan

[mura_gadi]

Hello,

Schotts in Sydney is operating - 02 8426 1600 for the office and they can pass you onto someone.


Steve
Ps. They may have no stock and just courier out from UK/US adhoc with mark up.

[Saturnine]

Hi Ken

I have to ask, are you sure that you can make an apo lens system using BAK and Flint glass and also are you contemplating a doublet or triplet lens.
Although making your own lens is a noble endeavour , it is a lot of work, as you probably would have realised already but I wonder at the cost and time effectiveness of making your own these days, though the sense of satisfaction and accomplishment on completion would be an enjoyable experience.
As an alternative, this may be an option and of similar specs, give or take a centimetre.

https://www.istar-optical.com/apochromatic.html

[Stefan Buda]

https://www.ohara-gmbh.com/en/ohara.html

You need to register to have access to prices and material lists.

At the moment 1kg of S-FPL55 in slab form costs 416 Euro plus very expensive shipping.

[KMachell]

Thanks for the responses guys.

I am waiting on an 8” mirror blank at the moment, and planning for the next project. Retirement is fast approaching.
It may not be the smartest endeavour, but I think if we stop making things by hand and rely on mass producers, the art dies.
I registered with Ohara, and also found Helm Australia in NSW.
I will give them a call over the next week and see what they recommend and if they have anything available.

[Rod-AR127]

Hi Ken,
Did you have any success in tracking down glass blanks or anyone who could supply the finished APO product?
The istar optical link was interesting, got my brain ticking over.
R.

[KMachell]

Hi Rod,

Sorry for the late reply. Poor health late last year, then someone gave me COVID for Christmas. Now I have a number of projects backed up and the apo doublet is shelved.

I couldn’t find a local supplier of refractor blanks. With currency exchange, freight & insurance, buying them from overseas is not so attractive considering success is not guaranteed.

I received a blank for a 10” reflector primary mirror from Matthew Lovell at Telescopes & Astronomy in October last year. I have contacted him to see if he has any suppliers in his contacts. He has been very reliable since I put my first reflector together nearly 20 years ago.

An objective lens from istar optical looks like a good option. Couple that with a homemade tube and it would be a nice looking scope with very good optics.

Cheers,
Ken

[mura_gadi]

Hello,

A write up on making your own refractor Astro Society S.A.
https://www.assa.org.au/resources/equipment-reviews/making-a-refractor/

Not sure if they still operate, but they have some interesting F/L and up to 8" blanks:
http://www.newportglass.com/achromat.htm


Steve
Ps. I've found grinding the reflector glass very enjoyable, but haven't started the strain and pain of parabolisation yet.