SDM in progress

[norm]

Hi All,

Just thought I'd share the exciting news that SDM026 is a 'work in progress'.
ETA Sept/Oct!!!

Its in the classic Obsession design but with the unsual size being 14" F4.8.

The size came about, due to my initial idea of building a TSCOPE of that size.
Mirror is from Terry Ostahowski.

Cheers Norm

[astroron (Ron)]

Originally Posted by norm

Hi All,

Just thought I'd share the exciting news that SDM026 is a 'work in progress'.
ETA Sept/Oct!!!

Its in the classic Obsession design but with the unsual size being 14" F4.8.

The size came about, due to my initial idea of building a TSCOPE of that size.
Mirror is from Terry Ostahowski.

Cheers Norm

Great to hear Norm
Now what is a TSCOPE
Look forward to you joining the intermediate telescope size club
Ron

[wavelandscott (Scott)]

Congrats!

Can't wait to hear how well it performs!

[Rodstar (Rod)]

Great news, Norm!

Sounds like you will be able to observe in all positions with your feet planted on terra firma. It should be highly transportable, too.

Are you getting servo-cat fitted, or will it be a push-to like mine?

Make sure Peter Read sends you some snaps as the scope slowly evolves. I can still remember the thrill of seeing his photos of the mirror box and secondary cage, in raw wood.

[Starkler (Geoff)]

Hi Norm. From one SDM owner to another I also looked very closely at the Tscopes option that turned out to not be an option in the end.

Can i ask what extras if any you are getting with yours?
Mine has powered groundboard, optical finder, telrad, argonavis and dew control system, none of which I would be without.

Originally Posted by Rodstar

Make sure Peter Read sends you some snaps as the scope slowly evolves. I can still remember the thrill of seeing his photos of the mirror box and secondary cage, in raw wood.

Heres the thread showing mine in progress

[norm]

Thanks All for the well wishes!

Now what is a TSCOPE

Ron,

www.tscopes.com Ed Taychert is man who runs the show there. He basically makes truss style dobs from between 13-18" range. Depending on the size and model the price varies. That said, he also has the 14 and 15" in kit form that you can assemble/paint yourself. This was the path I was heading towards, until I decided to give Peter Read from SDM one more go at seeing what he could come up with....the rest is history

That said, Ed responded to my emails promptly and if you wanted to save a few bucks (not a great amt) he is worth considering.

Rod,

Its basically fully kitted, minus the servocat. I only recently contacted Peter to add the Argo as well. The eyepiece at zenith is approx 5'6" which will be ideal for my height. Portability (if you call 14" portable) was a major consideration. You made as good point about pics, so I must speak to Peter about it and I'll post them in due course.

Geoff,

Yeah I had a good chat with Peter and we spoke about your one at length. Mine will be similar to yours, minus the optical finder.

Thanks Scott and all for the well wishes. I have to admit after seeing Rods in the flesh (admittedly it was dark) and then again in S&T and not to mention Geoff's on SDM I decided to go for the SDM or bust!!!

I must also thank my wife for putting up nearly 2.5yrs of research, procrastination, indecisions etc etc.

I musn't forget about Peter who is terrific and very genuine to deal with

Cheers Norm

[madtuna (Steve)]

I got to have a look at SDM007 while picking up my G11 (thanks Zane)
mighty impressive work of art!
I'm sure you'll be over the moon when it's finally in your possession

[Chippy (Nick)]

Hi Norm,

Looking forward to a peep sometime when it's finished. Congratulations. Peter is a great guy to deal with. I emailed him about a few things last week - and he went out of his way to provide answers and advice. You'll be happy!!

Nick.

[CoombellKid]

Congrats on the new scope!!!!

I agree with what people say about Pete. He is very helpful I think we are
lucky to have him along with Gary from AN on our shores willing to give
the type of support they do to their customers. I'm not buying and SDM, I
would love one but they're out of my price range at present. However Pete
has been more than willing to offer advice and hard to make or source parts
in support while building my own scope.

regards,CS

[Starkler (Geoff)]

Norm you mention portability is a major factor. I wonder if Peter will do anything different for yours than he did for mine.

Mine is built like a tank and almost as heavy! The mirror cell frame mount is actually made from solid steel bar. The mirror box is a heavy beast to lift and move single handedly without the mirror in it!

To load or unload to the back of a vehicle requires either a ramp or a helper to lift it. Doing it alone just isn't possible but with two people its not hard.

As i wanted to be able to move and set it up alone I got myself a small trailer and made a ramp and fitted it out. Having gone to that extent I wonder if in hindsight I should have gone for an 18"

[norm]

Hi Geoff,

I got the impression your one may have been 'over engineered', but by all means not in a negative way and possibly because it was the 1st 15" built.

The mirror cell frame mount is actually made from solid steel bar

Thats as heavy duty as you can get.
Things in hindsight always appear better, but there is always that element where had you got an 18, it might of been a case of 'oops' should have gone smaller.

Just looking at your scope however, it is a work of art. Out of curiousity Geoff what is the ~ weight of the lower assembly ?

Cheers Norm.

[Starkler (Geoff)]

Norm I really have no idea what the weight is, and I have no way of finding out as its too big for the bathroom scales. Peter might able to tell you having done all the calcs himself.

[CoombellKid]

Geoff,

I'm building a 16" on the classic Obsession design. So it will be similar to
yours in size. Still the measurements I've taken suggests I could fit it
(mirror box and rocker) on the front seat of my 20 yr old ford falcon I'm
still yet to see if I can physically lift it there if not it will be a stay at
home scope until I can buy a trailer

regards,CS

[astroron (Ron)]

Originally Posted by CoombellKid

Geoff,

I'm building a 16" on the classic Obsession design. So it will be similar to
yours in size. Still the measurements I've taken suggests I could fit it
(mirror box and rocker) on the front seat of my 20 yr old ford falcon I'm
still yet to see if I can physically lift it there if not it will be a stay at
home scope until I can buy a trailer

regards,CS

Rob, I don't think you will be able to put it on the front seat of your car or even the back seat unless it is a station wagon, it will be staying at home
The weight and the dimensions will be quite prohibitive
Ron