Hi Rod!
Thanks for the links! I was looking over both designs with much interest. To me it looks possible to incorporate both designs and still manage to use the mirror holder I have from AstroSystems. (I have a secondary mirror heater that installs in there nicely) I like the use of guitar strings since they are thin and already have and end on them making for easy installation. I have an electric guitar and it needs to be tuned regularly which means the strings stretch a bit. Not sure if it would stretch enough to matter here or not though. So the second design using a mounting block of some sort might be ideal for me. Then use the guitar strings. (wonder which ones he is using "E" etc?) To attach the stings to the cage and as a way to apply tension I was thinking using my technique of a threaded aluminum rod inserted half way through the cage truss and held to the truss with cap screws. By tightening the screw it will apply tension on the wire. It would keep the appearance clean. I'll try to draw the design tomorrow to give you a better idea of what I am thinking.
The current placement of the secondary is deceiving. It will actually be lower in the cage since the current mounts for it will go through the trusses. I just set the spider on top of the truss for the picture since the design isn't finalized.
All in all I think maybe the wire will be good way to go to lessen the diffraction spikes.
David,
Thanks! My original thought was to keep with the current materials and use aluminum. Very simple sheet drilled to allow for the focuser. What put a halt on that was mounting it to the rings. My goal is to keep the cage clean and simple. I am trying to make it look as nice as possible by eliminating unnecessary screws and attachment blocks etc. Then I was thinking just go with the 1/2" multiply baltic birch. Easy to cut, drill just put a couple screws in the top and bottom through the cage rings and presto, done. But while that may work effectively I still keep going back to the aluminum or something else besides wood. I was thinking a carbon fiber plate would be cool looking but then I run into mounting again. Similar to the aluminum. Oh, wait! I could use the carbon plate! Just mold in some mounting points with carbon cloth etc. *slaps self on forehead* How would you lay that up? Maybe use pre-made square carbon rod and epoxy it into place then shape/sand? I had also thought of just using carbon arrow shafts and using them like smaller cage trusses and mounting the focuser to that.
My friend as a vacuum pump so I could always use that in combination with carbon and honeycomb. High tech!
Thanks for the help guys! You have my wheels turning again! I have been re-inspired! Here is to finally finishing this thing.
