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What to do with a 114mm Tasco Newt?
Hi all,
I have been away from IIS while we have finished building an apartment onto our house for my mother. All finished now so I am back to astronomy. BTW her front courtyard has turned out to be nicely sheltered spot for observing!
Next ATM project to to refurbish an old Canberra Astro Soc Tasco 114mm Newt on a wobbly GEM mount into a more robust unit that can be used by "little people" at public viewing nights and as a hire scope for the intoductory group.
Progress to date:
Mount has been removed in disgrace and will be returned to the CAS equipment officer for burial.
0.965" focuser has been replaced with a cut down Celestron 1.25" unit I had spare.
Tube cradle and altitude bearings fabricated.
Tube internal flocking completed. Exterior covered in a patterned cloth and waiting Estapol coating. Getting the cloth smooth was a bit tricky.
About 2 hrs work so far.
Second hand eyepiece set has ben acquired, in part through IIS. Many thanks Darren. These are Synta WA ep's suitable for use while wearing glasses and do an excellent job @ F7.8.
To do:
Red dot finder.
Dob rocker box and base.
Eyepiece box.
Star Atlas holder. Also convert "The Southern Sky Guide" star atlas from glue to wire binding.
Write Instruction Manual.
I will post some pics when I get a chance.
Cheers,
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