[Satchmo]

Originally Posted by Rodstar

...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.

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 .

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.

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..

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

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