Quote:
Originally Posted by uyukon
Hello,
i am in the process of finishing a carbon tube for my 222mm f5.9 and there are a few things i learned with this project:
- it is expensive to experiment with carbon fibre!
-it is also addictive; like silk, it has a special lustre.
-the first important thing is to have a solid form to wrap that precious fibres. I made mine from a 5mm cardboard tube i got for a piece of pie at the local "light-weight barrel factory", they made it up to my requirements for about 20$
-the carbon layers are 3x KDK-8042 and 1 layer KDL-8005
-pressure was applied by wrapping the epoxy-soaked carbon fabric with silicone treated polyester-tape, to remove excess resin.
-the finished tube (1355mm) is 1630g , 2mm thick and very solid.
The nine point mirror cell is 280g and carbon too.
I am putting in a curved,carbon tree vain spider and the focuser will be the only metal part exept for a few springs and bolts.
The aim is to have the OTA below 5kg, I hope...to finish it for the next new moon.
I love this kind of work and wonder what the next project will be!
clear skies!
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Hello Uyukon,
That tube looks a real beauty.
Can I ask how much would it have cost you all up for the tube?
How do you apply the silicone treated polyester tape. Is it just wrapped around the tube very tight till the epoxt sets..
Also how do you treat the former underneath to stop it sticking? and how do you remove it?
Thanks for any help..
cheers Gary