Ultralight US Built 18" Dob

[Satchmo]

Saw this 18" F4.2 on the Big Dob Yahoo group.

I like the way the designer has used a 3 point side bearing for the `virtual' mirror box.

More pictures here.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8315630@N04/

[Starkler (Geoff)]

Thats the about the most minimalist design I have seen.
Nice find.

[rmcpb (Rob)]

Always play with the idea of a minimalist design but the idea of a dew strike always stops me. No shroud would be a bit of a bu**er.

[Satchmo]

If the scope is well baffled ( ie a baffle stop mounted directly in front of the base of the focuser and fixed) then the top is going to be fairly well baffled. I've never noticed shrouds to do anything much myself but protect primary a little from dew.

Still , its all a matter of trade off. If you use the scope 3 X as much a traditional dob, because it is so quick to cool and setup then It just might pan out as 2X as good

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

I can't find it written anywhere what the pole is made of.

I am trying to design a lightweight aluminium frame for my 12" so I can use it on my EQ6, but this one doesn't really grab me.

[janoskiss (Steve H)]

that is pretty amazing! An 18" Dob that can be carried around by one person in one piece! Some people are surprised you can do that with an 8" let alone 18"!

[bojan]

Originally Posted by ballaratdragons

I can't find it written anywhere what the pole is made of.

I am trying to design a lightweight aluminium frame for my 12" so I can use it on my EQ6, but this one doesn't really grab me.

Whatever it is made fof, I would be interested in how he managed to dampen the vibrations.
Perhaps it is aluminium,filled with polyuretane foam.....