Old Refractor & Alt Az Mount Resurrection

[Steffen]

Looks great, but (pardon my ignorance) why did you polish the inside surfaces? Wouldn't you rather blacken them?

Cheers
Steffen.

[Kunama]

Originally Posted by Steffen

Looks great, but (pardon my ignorance) why did you polish the inside surfaces? Wouldn't you rather blacken them?

Cheers
Steffen.

Hi Steffen, Good ?, Yes, they will be painted flat black but I wanted all the scale and oxidization removed first so the paint will last. All the 'to be painted' surfaces will be wiped over with 800grit before paint.

I will also assess the internal reflections after painting and if necessary I'll machine some aluminium knife-edge baffle discs.

[FlashDrive (Poppy)]

Coming together nicely.....

Flash....

[Steffen]

Yep, looks yummy.

Cheers
Steffen.

[Kunama]

A little bit more:

Still have to decide whether to use a diagonal or not and then cut tube to length, drill tube for finder and focuser, paint tube inside and out, finish focuser renovation and put it all together.

[Kunama]

Considering the colour to paint the tube:

Forest Green
Gloss Black
Bright Red
Takahashi White


Any suggestions welcome!

[gts055 (Mark)]

Hii Matt, Thats a wonderful project. My preference would be a white or red/maroon tube to contrast with the black cradle. Red/maroon might be nice with the timber you have selected for the tripod. Have you seen the brass diagonal that Watson and Sons and Broadhurst Clarkson had as options for their 19th and early 20th century tlescopes. You could cut the telescope tube to cater for a diagonal and make a threaded brass extension for the focuser to allow straight through viewing. Mark

[Kunama]

Hi Mark, thanks for the suggestions. I have just test fitted the tube cradle and am also inclined to go with a red tube and polished brass tube weights etc.
I have a Berry&Mackay refractor from the second half of the 19th century but no diagonal, I might have to make a brass casing for a 1.25" diag.

I have also got a quote from Danny at Crawmach to build me a 1.25" focuser with brass knobs etc.

Here is the tube holder in place.

[gts055 (Mark)]

A Crawmach custom focuser would be very nice. I have attached an image of a Broadhurst Clarkson diagonal (Watsons ones look identical) so you can see the old style. The prism is collimated with the three screws at the rear. Mark

[Kunama]

Thanks Mark, that is the one I have been looking for but they are as rare as Rocking Horse droppings.

I might rip off the design but install a dielectric mirror inside it instead. I can get some brass tube of the right size and silver solder it together.

[gts055 (Mark)]

If you would like dimensions or more images just let me know Mark

[Kunama]

The focuser decision has been resolved, Danny at Crawmach is now making a 1.25" focuser with custom brass adapter, brass knobs and screws for me.

In the meantime, I now have a beautiful Carton (Japan) Magnesium Fluoride coated 80mm F15 air spaced doublet in a collimatable cell that will also need an OTA.
(thanks Doug)
You guys really need to stop selling me stuff, you're getting me in trouble with the Boss.