[tempestwizz (Brian)]

Driving past a specialty tool-shop the other week, an Australian/Chinese TIG welder jumped into the back of my car! What to do I thought? I know, I'll make a new dob mount for the new10" F5 Suchting mirror I recently purchased.
I have previously built a similar style mount for my 12.5" F5 based on a design similar to that built by Peter Bobroff's for his wife's 16" F4, and a friend's 16" F5. I thought I would try and learn from my earlier mistakes, and document the progress.
My first earlier mistake was to try and use a MIG welder to do the aluminium welding. I guess the concept may have been OK, but the unit I borrowed just did not have the oomph to get good welds, and my results (although still holding together) are not a pretty sight. When you pull the trigger on a MIG, the wire spews out continously, and you have to (try to) do something with it.
The MIG I was using only had 120 amp capability, if I had a 200 amp unit things may have been a little different - but they are around $2K.
As I have since learnt, the more elegant solution is the TIG. It generates a plasma, and you only insert filler metal as required. There is still a learning curve in driviung these things, but considering I have had no training in MIG or TIG, I am quite happy with the results.

The first stage of construction is the mirror box. The idea is to make it detachable from the rest of the assembly, to allow easier and safer transport. The construction is from aluminium and (where possible) stainless steel extras. This is so that the whole assembly can be washed/cleaned under running water and left to dry without detriment. Just a final touch-up to the mirror if required.
The plate that the mirror will adhere to is of 4mm aluminium. One colimation adjusting point is fixed via a small tie-rod end purchased from a bearing supply place. The tie-rod screw into a tapped aluminium plug I inserted in the box frame.
The other two adjuster consist of screw mounted in opposition. ie a screw fixed to the mirror plate tries to pull the plate toward the frame, while another bolt in the frame tries to push the mirror plate away.

I am now working on the sides of the mirror box to shroud the mirror and form the joining mechanism for the OTA, and allow a place to put a front-cover on the box during transport.

Attached are a few pictures showing progress so far. I will update as things progress.