Hi fellow telescope nuts,
Over the last few weeks I have been making another refractor. I purchased the lens from Istar, it is a 5 inch f12 R30 doublet achromat lens in cell.
http://www.istar-optical.com/istar_019.htm
The tube is built up in the same way as my 6 inch f15.
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/41-340-0-0-1-0.html
There is a thread on Cloudy Nights ATM forum detailing the whole build with lots of photos.
http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthrea.../o/all/fpart/1
If anyone is interested in building a scope like this with thin ply then I encourage you to go ahead and give it a try. It is a step by step methodical process and lot's of fun. Please ask questions and I will do my best to help.
I haven't completed the mount yet but have cobbled together a means of using the scope. I only managed a brief first light last night and will follow up with more as I get to use it more. I am happy with the lens for now.
Andy Jackson
Perth WA