In response to a request from AlexN in the Saturn Images thread on the Solar System forum for images of my observatory setup, I attach the following images.
Images 1a shows my modifications to spread the load of the focuser. I rolled two pieces of 1/4" aluminium plate, one is inside the tube the other is outside the tube. They are bolted together and sandwich the wall of the tube, spreading the load of the focuser, especially when there is larger overhang as with a paracorr and 31mm Nagler. Also note the adaptor I have made for the JMI moto focuser. I have also made a suite of adaptors to mount various other equipment such as my off axis guider, eyepiece projection setup, 35mm camera and various CCD's. Also note how I spread the load of the spider vanes.
Image 2a shows my primary mirror cell design. Note that it is based around two separate fabricated and triangulated sections. My 27 point cell mounts directly to the inner triangle while the outer triangle is fixed to the tube. Obviously with this open backed design air flow to the primary is maximised, the fan helps greatly at very high magnifications. The RHS tubing is 25mm x 25mm with 3mm wall thickness. My mirror floats. It is supported on its edge by nylon setscrews, these setscrews have .005" clearance, set with feeler gauges. The mirror clips have cork between them and the mirror and are set just to stop the mirror from falling out should the tube ever be inclined down.
Images 3a To reduce the effect on the balance of the whole system, caused by rotating the tube, I have an adjustable counterweight opposite the focuser
Image 4a My German equ mount. There is much more to this than meets the eye. Both RA & Dec shafts are 2.5" s/s, the load end of both axis have thrust bearings while the rear ends of both shafts swing in double row ball bearings. There is an internal shaft inside the column supported in ball bearings top and bottom, There is a finger bolted to the top flange against which two very fine setscrews bear. By loosening off the holding down bolts and tightening and loosening the adjusting screw, very small incremental adjustments can be made to the azimuth of the mount. Note the turnbuckle that achieves the same type of very fine adjustment to the elevation of the polar axis. I spent a week using the star drift method making ever finer adjustment to the polar alignment of the mount.
Image 5a shows the roller cradle that the tube sits in , the RA encoder mounted directly to the polar axis, the electronics for the Anssen Technologies drive corrector with the remote laying on top of it. The counter weights spin up or down on 1" studding.
Image 16a is down stairs, the Column supporting the scope is in it's own separate plug of concrete separated from the rest of the floor by strips of polystyrene. The column goes 4' into bed rock and is full of concrete, there are six lengths of twisted reinforcement in the concrete. You can hit the column with a sledge hammer and it will not ring.
