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Old 02-12-2013, 08:09 PM
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Doogs38 (Alex)
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Design for 14" conical mirror support cell?

Hi. I recently bought the book "The Dobsonian Telescope' (Kriege & Berry) because I'm very keen to have a crack at making a lightweight dob during 2014. I intend to use the 14" Skywatcher conical mirror and associated secondary that is in my current DIY dob. For the mirror support cell in my yet-to-be-built dob, I could do one of two things: (a) reuse the mirror support hardware in my current dob but IMO it's too heavy and closed; or (b) make something very simple, light and open. I'm keen on option (b), however, the book has a *lot* of info in making a mirror cell etc for a standard thick mirror, but nothing for a conical mirror. From what I've seen, conical mirror support cells are (comparatively) very simple but before I come up with my own design, I thought there might be someone who has travelled this path before me and could offer some advice, tips, hints, a design etc. Thanks, Alex.
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Old 03-12-2013, 08:58 AM
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Satchmo
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Alex , Just glue the mirror down with a ring of silicone to a back plate that has 3 push pull screws at the rim for collimation. Other than that requirement make the backplate as minimal as possible for good ventilation ( think three arms with a disc in the middle for mounting the mirror ) . If from thin aluminum plate , you can cut with a fine tooth blade jigsaw.
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Old 03-12-2013, 12:17 PM
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Doogs38 (Alex)
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Design for 14" conical mirror support cell?

Hi Mark and thanks for the feedback. What you've described is essentially what I had in mind ... something similar to what is shown for the 12.5" Serrurier truss Newtonian found in this forum. It's light, simple, very open and would be easy to manufacture. Mirror cells for standard mirrors seem so complex in comparison!
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Old 04-12-2013, 06:36 AM
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SkyViking (Rolf)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Doogs38 View Post
Hi Mark and thanks for the feedback. What you've described is essentially what I had in mind ... something similar to what is shown for the 12.5" Serrurier truss Newtonian found in this forum. It's light, simple, very open and would be easy to manufacture. Mirror cells for standard mirrors seem so complex in comparison!
Hi Alex, you beat me to it There is nothing more to my mirror cell than what you see in the photo, it is that simple. No obstructing mirror clips or complicated support structures.
I don't know if your mirror has a bolt in the centre like mine, but if not then I'm sure Mark's advise re silicone would serve the same purpose.

Here are a couple more pics for you:
http://www.rolfolsenastrophotography...MG_0305-X3.jpg
http://www.rolfolsenastrophotography...MG_0303-X3.jpg
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Old 05-01-2014, 11:21 AM
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Doogs38 (Alex)
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Hi Rolf. I never said 'thanks' for your help. Please pardoned my bad manners! Thanks mate
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