That mount looks quite different to the one described on your website.
Any construction photos for budding machinists?
Sure, the pictures on my site are fairly old and the whole site needs updating.
The old motors and drives were removed and replaced with new 190:1 boxes and new steppers all controlled be Mel Bartels scope.exe GOTO software. It all works fine however the steppers are a bit noisy and I wish I'd heeded the tips on Mel's site re. rubber isolating the motor housing. Oh well another project to add to the list.
here's some pictures of the gearbox innards ect ect...
Here's my first attempt at a Dob. 12.5" F5 . It rotates (RA) on a ground ring, and in Dec, the rings sit on bearings on one side and teflon skids on the other. Is very smooth to operate.
I'm currently building a new 10" version.
There's certainly a lot of interesting designs out there.
two scopes...
here's my 10"f5 Newtonian on my home made GEM with GOTO
and my 7"f7 Dob
Brilliant Dave.
I wish I could go back 20 years and use the workshop my father maintained while my brother and I were kids. We had access to a 36" lathe, a Myford ML7 and a Unimat 3. We also had a CNC milling platform and plenty of other great stuff in the workshop.
I would just love to build a mount like you have. I've looked long and hard at the G-11 and reckon that there's nothing hard to duplicate.
I wish I could go back 20 years and use the workshop my father maintained while my brother and I were kids. We had access to a 36" lathe, a Myford ML7 and a Unimat 3. We also had a CNC milling platform and plenty of other great stuff in the workshop.
I would just love to build a mount like you have. I've looked long and hard at the G-11 and reckon that there's nothing hard to duplicate.
Hmmm... maybe one day.
Very well done!
Yep, it looks great. I miss the facilities I had when working for the Water Corp too.
Just joined the local "Mens Shed". Mostly into wood working, lots of machine and hand tools. First project already started, a denver observing chair. Not a great deal of metal working gear there, but they do have a little myford style lathe with a mill head attachment. Can think of lots of uses for that
"Mens Shed"? Sounds interesting Bill - might have to investigate!
By the way - that workshop was in our garage... and I didn't even think of buying all the gear off my father when he retired and moved to Brisbane! D'oh!
"Mens Shed"? Sounds interesting Bill - might have to investigate!
Hi Chris
Mens Shed:
"Every community in Australia will have a men’s shed.
<LI style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,51)">To address the issues of men’s health (physical, emotional and social well-being) in the community. <LI style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,51)">To engage the elderly, differently-abled, youth, veterans and other groups of men of the communities in both rural Australia and urban Australia, and to specifically address any issues of isolation, loneliness and depression; <LI style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,51)">To support the social interaction of men in transitional periods (e.g. Redundancy, Bereavement, Retirement, Ill Health, Relocation, Respite Care);
To share, disseminate and preserve the skills, abilities and interests that are relevant to the community. "
The Shed here in Coota has been going since about 1996, just completed a major extension which was officially opened last Wednesday. We had quite a few visitors from other sheds in surrounding towns interested to find out about expanding their places or starting one. Its a great way of sharing resources and knowledge, keeps guys active in retirement, and in one case I know got a bloke who had lost a lower limb an interest outside home. The president reckons he's even had wives come to him about asking their hubby's to join the shed, and get them out from under their feet for a while
This is an interesting thread, thanks everyone for sharing pictures.
Here is picture of a 6"f5 dob I made a while back using a Meade mirror. The tube is octagonal 4mm ply. I sold this scope. It was very light and great for casual stargazing.
The refractor is 6"f15, also octagonal tube made with 4mm ply. The lens is made by D&G. I wrote a review that you can read here at Ice in Space. It is not the most convenient scope to use but the views are worth it.
Nice woodwork Andy, theres something about a wooden scope that is very appealing.
The 6" refractor reminds me of the ones shown in prints of Astronomers of yesteryear. Can just picture someone there at the eyepiece with the long tailed coat and top hat
Thanks Bill.
I admit the woodwork is a big part of the fun for me. I love to dream and plan new telescopes. Very few actually get built but I've always been a bit of a dreamer. I love to look through old Sky and Telescope magazines and books like The History of Telescopes by Henry C King. It is very satisfying to create something that can bring the universe closer and can be shared with family and friends.
two scopes...
here's my 10"f5 Newtonian on my home made GEM with GOTO
and my 7"f7 Dob
Just had to make a comment Dave - from someone who loves tinkering and inventing/adapting: your achievemnets (to use a modern expression) just blow me away!
And to think people in their ignorance get worked up over Obsessions and SDM's etc - not to be too derogatory towards suchlike - but your constructions just make that sort of stuff second-rate!
Particularly impressed by the finishes as well as the machining/fabrication and other intricacies: formed ply tubing et al (please don't tell us it's only Bunnings cheapo stick-on faux wood grain and enhanced photos!)
Honestly brother, works of art (and I'm a pro artist) - is that a telephoto camera lens mechanism adapted for the focusser?
- is that a telephoto camera lens mechanism adapted for the focusser?
Hi Darryl,
I guess you mean the focusser on the 7" Dob. Yes it's made from the helical section of a 100mm telephoto lens. I found it at a car boot sale for $2 IIRC.
And to think people in their ignorance get worked up over Obsessions and SDM's etc - not to be too derogatory towards suchlike - but your constructions just make that sort of stuff second-rate!
I dont think its fair or appropriate to describe people who appreciate obsession or SDM scopes as ignorant
You are comparing apples with oranges in so many ways here.
Hi Geoff - I was tossing up whether to go fishing tonight (the waters in my bay look so darn inviting) but I'd hafta hook up some new nav lights first: decided "sod it!" - we've had such good ob nights without wind that I'll enjoy that instead. But little did I know that I'd left some unintended bait out.....
First up, before I explain my comments, let me apologise for offending you: it was not an intention of mine; but neither is appearing offensive my desire - so I do apologise.
"Ignorance," as in my phrase "people in their ignorance" has no connotation of they being ignorant perse - ie they are not "intrinsically" or "by or in itself" ignorant (Macquarie dictionary) but rather "they" are "ignorant of" something specific - in this case the heights to which technical, as well as aesthetic creativity can rise. It is what is generally referred to as "small i" ignorance.
This is not "snake oil" I am applying Geoff with the above explanation: a simple troll through my posts should evince you of the grammatical focus within my writing; be it the patois of "lingo" or erudite english grammar. This is because of my appreciation, and professional employment of, language.
I have lived a public life or sorts where essays, papers and other written presentations have been a stock-in-trade: you will no doubt have been aware of my post on "Reconciliation," and I would like to assure you that on matters pertaining to that subject I am an optomist as well as a committed (public) worker towards such - it is my belief that many prejudices are based on "small i" ignorance as opposed to deep-seated xenophobic hate et al, providing me with the logic (some might say faith) that these issues may be resolved for the benefit of all.
Seeing Dave Gee's creation (to give it its' proper description in my appraisal) literally "blew me away" - and I would add here Geoff that I am a professional artist with an international reputation who not only has an aesthetic dictate, but by definition has had to attain technical dexterity with many processes; often working alongside architects, engineers et al to accomplish commissions. (google "yerrakartarta" or "yangadlitya" to appreciate the scale and intricacy of some of my "art.")
You are quite right about apples and oranges, it is most probably highly debatable that Dave would even consider making equipment for others: the cost of such a labour of love would be prohibitive. This does not, however, cause me to resile from my belief that his achievements "pale into the shade" the Obsessions and SDM's et al: though of course as commercial products they are constrained by said identity.
Perhaps it would have been more proper for me to use the above comments re my comparisons: this would have alleviated the possibility of it seeming to be personally offensive to you (and other owners of said equipment.)
Once again, I apologise for the unintended slight you perceived; and I'll say with a smile that if one of the fine scopes you and others possess came my way, I'd have a smile a mile wide.
..Darryl 's usage intended the meaning : "unaware of "
Cheers
Russ PS I too am AWESTRUCK with admiration (and envy), not only at DaveGee's creations,
but at the sheer magic of their material qualities... parts of that mount look like they were sculpted from billet alloy
Thank you Darryl for your rather verbose reply and explanation.
Rather than finding the comment personally offensive, I assumed that perhaps your comment was spawned by a desire to bring the owners of high grade commercial scopes 'down a peg'. Whether such comment can attributed to previous experience with a person bragging of owning such a scope, or envy I do not know. A person getting "worked up" over an obsession or sdm isn't necessarily exclusive of knowledge that something better may exist out there in ATM land.
As an SDM owner, I take absolutely no credit for the quality and workmanship of the scope that I purchased. Apart from my input as to the basic specifications of the scope, all I did was hand over a wad of cash. I give full credit and kudos to skilled ATM people like DaveGee who have turned their skills to producing outstanding work the likes of which simply cannot be purchased commercially.
I really do envy those with the skills, time and tools to be able to do great ATM work. I think we all know that just about all commercially made scopes and mounts leave something to be desired, and the ability to custom make exactly what you want is a wonderful thing.
"I dont think its fair or appropriate to describe people who appreciate obsession or SDM scopes as ignorant "
Quote:
Originally Posted by Starkler
Thank you Darryl for your rather verbose reply and explanation.
Rather than finding the comment personally offensive, I assumed that perhaps your comment was spawned by a desire to bring the owners of high grade commercial scopes 'down a peg'. Whether such comment can attributed to previous experience with a person bragging of owning such a scope, or envy I do not know.....
I really do envy those with the skills, time and tools to be able to do great ATM work. I think we all know that just about all commercially made scopes and mounts leave something to be desired.....
Hi again Geoff - as I hope I articulated, semantics et al are fascinating subjects: and perhaps before I go any further I should confess that I can be a bit of a stirrer (termed "devil's advocate" in more formal surrounds!)
Having made this admission I'll cheekily state I've (obviously) included selected quotes from your postings to stir/suggest that there can be all sorts of (possible) interpretative constructs in "a bunch or words."
Notwithstanding aforesaid, there was definitely no intention to be personally offensive either in fact or perception; I should have chosen my words of praise more carefully - maybe something along the lines of your comment re commercial productions. (though could that perhaps have lead to a "posting assault" on me from every owner of any expensive commercial gear?!?)
My apologies again Geoff for any slight, regards, Darryl.
Never, ever, even on the darkest, gloomiest, rainiest night, ever, coment on a mans choice of telescope.
You might as well just call his wife a minger that sleeps with goats.
Some things you just don't troll about
Hi AstroJunk - methinks you've come in a bit late on this current lot of postings for me to get too verbose!
What's a "minger?" - doesn't sound too nice and certainly sexist: perhaps it's something you've experience of, but I'm sure the moderators wouldn't approve?!?
Anyways, I notice you've got one o' dem types of scopes too - I can takes a hint wid d' best o' 'em: mebbe's I should start on Losmandys or Taks jist t' git the balance right!
Regards, Darryl. ps whaddya tink of d' thread sommun started called "who's got the best scope?" or somesuch?!?
Uhmm.. I'm sorry, but will you blokes take your argument elsewhere please? I started this thread to let people introduce their home-made equipment, not talk semantics.
