Berry & Mackay 3" Refractor Restoration Diary

[lhansen (Lars)]

Hi Matt

Looks like you have done your usual superb job, well done!

Are you going to fit the elevation adjustment rack and pinion?

Regards

Lars

Ps/- I've got this 1760 refractor that needs a bit of a cleanup

[Kunama]

Originally Posted by lhansen

Hi Matt

Looks like you have done your usual superb job, well done!
Are you going to fit the elevation adjustment rack and pinion?
Regards
Lars
Ps/- I've got this 1760 refractor that needs a bit of a cleanup

Thanks Lars, as you know this is a beautiful and very unique telescope, it is now included in Neil English's Website for Classic Telescopes. I am hoping being in Scotland, he will be able to shed more light on the history of it. (How does a man with the surname English, born in Ireland, get away with living in Scotland - must be difficult for him at footy finals week.)
Yes the elevation rack will be going back on it, I just have to source some brass tubing 17mm ID, or 17mm OD and fit a little sleeve inside to extend the rod about 120mm to get to lower altitudes.

As for any more projects to take on .........................

[lhansen (Lars)]

Well maybe you can give me some hints.

Originally Posted by Kunama

Thanks Lars, as you know this is a beautiful and very unique telescope, it is now included in Neil English's Website for Classic Telescopes. I am hoping being in Scotland, he will be able to shed more light on the history of it. (How does a man with the surname English, born in Ireland, get away with living in Scotland - must be difficult for him at footy finals week.)
Yes the elevation rack will be going back on it, I just have to source some brass tubing 17mm ID, or 17mm OD and fit a little sleeve inside to extend the rod about 120mm to get to lower altitudes.

As for any more projects to take on .........................

[Kunama]

Are you planning on restoring the scope that is in your office???

That would be nice to see.

I just found some threaded brass tube in Mitre10 this arvo and will just have to turn it down to the right diameter (& remove the external thread in the process) so the elevation R&P tube sounds like a goer.

[lhansen (Lars)]

Seems a shame to leave it after seeing what you have done with the berry.

Optically, it won't be in the ballpark, being a non achromatic, but the aesthetics are seriously nice. I was thinking snake skin?

[Kunama]

Originally Posted by lhansen

Seems a shame to leave it after seeing what you have done with the berry.

Optically, it won't be in the ballpark, being a non achromatic, but the aesthetics are seriously nice. I was thinking snake skin?

Go all the way, get some crocodile belly leather!
Can you email me a couple of pics of it.

[lhansen (Lars)]

I'll take some piccies on monday

[Kunama]

Dear diary, getting tired of polishing and filing Brass !

Amazing how nice a plumbing fitting can look with some attention,
the picture shows the threaded pipe after 2 hours of filing and polishing.
The Altitude adjuster is now the correct length again:

[Kunama]

Haven't updated this thread in a long time....

The scope has been sitting on my dresser for 2 years now and slowly the brass has been darkening to a much deeper hue.

I think I have finally found who gave birth to this scope, it appears that this is in fact a Troughton & Simms 3.125" refractor marketed as a Berry & Mackay and made about 1880.