Help Please GS 10" Dob

[janoskiss (Steve H)]

Where can you get Ebony Star Formica without having to buy an entire kitchen?

[xstream (John)]

You should be able to find a chippy with some off cuts Steve.
You may need to ring a couple but one is bound to have some.

[iceman (Mike)]

Is that the common name "Ebony Star Formica"? Or will they answer you with silence?

[slice of heaven]

It's the name of that particular pattern/surface by Wilsonart.
No it is not "Formica" as that is another brand of laminate

[janoskiss (Steve H)]

It comes in two types, and apparently only one of them is good. I've seen a sample of one type at a furniture shop, but it looked too rough to make a good bearing surface. Maybe the other type is smooth.

[slice of heaven]

Originally Posted by janoskiss

Where can you get Ebony Star Formica without having to buy an entire kitchen?

Anyone with the small 8" dobs should try an LP record, I've found them to be the best choice of surface when used with teflon. The grooves of the LP virtually eliminate all 'Stiction' and give better movement than the Ebony star.
Larger scopes can be fitted with an LP , BUT a carrier bearing has to be fitted to the centre pivot to help with stability due to the smaller diameter of the LP.

[xstream (John)]

I'll check with the father Inlaw next time I'm around at his place........He may well have some. If so I'll bring it to Ballarat

[slice of heaven]

Originally Posted by janoskiss

It comes in two types, and apparently only one of them is good. I've seen a sample of one type at a furniture shop, but it looked too rough to make a good bearing surface. Maybe the other type is smooth.

The 'Rough' texture reduces the stiction by providing points for the teflon to ride on rather than a flat surface which will stick to the teflon.

[Roger Davis]

Ebony Star is available from most laminate suppliers. I purchased three for the jobs I had to do for aout $18 each. You can cut it yourself, but it can be messy. For a circle you'd need a blade on a radius arm.
Any other laminate with a similar pebbled texture will work well also.
Sorry I threw in the "Formica" before, force of an old habit, I apologise if I confused anyone.

[ausastronomer (John Bambury)]

Originally Posted by janoskiss

It comes in two types, and apparently only one of them is good. I've seen a sample of one type at a furniture shop, but it looked too rough to make a good bearing surface. Maybe the other type is smooth.

Steve,

Its actually the rough finish one that you need. Its made by Wilson Art in the USA the pattern you need is "ebony star" and the finish type is #7 which is "textured gloss". The rippled texture gives it the correct amount of "stiction" when used in conjunction with virgin teflon.

www.wilsonart.com

Go to the website, click on "homeowners" under "laminate", Then click on "products" towards the top then in the "pattern name" box select "ebony star" and you can see what it looks like.

I ordered mine through a friend who has a kitchen renovation company. It cost me $50 for a "1/2 sheet" which from memory was about 1.5 metres x 1.2 metres. There was certainly enough to do the bases for 2 or 3 medium to large scopes.

CS-John B