4" Carton refractor build

[PhilW]

I recently finished a different project, in that it doesn't have a mirror. This is a refractor built around a surplus 4" F/13 Carton doublet. I rolled the tube from thin three-ply, which is then stiffened with the baffling. It was fun to build a classical refractor for a change :D

Phil

[Rod]

Looks great Phil! What kind of ply did you use that you could form such tight cylinder?

Rod

[PhilW]

It is a very high-grade birch ply that I found in a hobby shop. It is three-ply, but only 1mm thick. So it was fairly easy to roll & form into a tube. This is also why it needs the extra rigidity provided by the baffles.

[Rod]

Thanks Phil. I just had a look at a local hobby shop but they did not have any. I'll keep looking.

Rod

[PhilW]

I got it from Hearns Hobbies in Flinders St. It wasn't cheap either ($40 for a smallish sheet).

[dannat]

Looks terrific, well done

[anj026]

Well done Phil.

I find the long focal length doublet achromats very appealing. Carton has a great reputation for good lenses. ED Ting wrote a good review.

http://www.scopereviews.com/page1j.html

Andy :thumbsup:

[mercedes_sl1970]

Hi Phil

That looks terrific - beautifully done.

I put together a refractor using the same Carton lens but made mine using aluminium tubing (had it rolled by a local metal fabricator) and painted it "basic white" - not nearly as aesthetically pleasing as yours!

Anyway, mine produces, and I would imagine yours too, rather nice views. Enjoy!

Andrew

[PhilW]

Yes it has a great star test.

Andy: I was very tempted by your octagons. But at the end of the day it was just easier for me to go circular.