Quote:
Originally Posted by MattT
Hey Matt looks great, thats an under statement to be sure! Before you go cutting down the mass of the counterweight why not turn the scope into a modern day version of the Unitron scopes of old and add a 3" or 4" scope, as well as a finder...naturally in black. Here is my version...
Matt
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Thanks for the great responses one and all, I think all of us strive to do better with a bit of encouragement. I know I do.
Matt, thanks for your post, I like your version a lot
My plan for the counterweight is to wait until I have all accessories attached, indeed there is a plan to include a little refractor to ride on top as well as a finder. I will paint them to match the Istar.
Once it is all together, I will be drilling five 25mm diameter holes through the counter weight (at 72 degree spacing around the centrebore) then adjustments can be made sliding a 25mm diameter brass rod into as many of the holes as needed. Should look nice too
I am also going to change all the nickel plated fittings on the Istar for brass items or gold plate them to suit.
I am also going to Canberra (where my lathe is) to make a sliding counter weight to allow for variations in eyepiece and diagonal settings, this will hang under the main tube.
Anyway being a glorious Snowy Mountains day it was time for Istar to get reacquainted with Gaunt, the meeting was, as expected, spectacular
here is the proof: