Aah, them ol' times....Astro optical were the Crows Nest people I think, where 35 years ago you could purchase a 12.5" Cassegrain with pier and RA drive for $1950 - a flaming fortune in today's money!!!
Back when I could still count the white hairs in my beard and on my head - they're all flamin white now - I recall the old home-made EQ's: somewhere on this forum I spoke about the old 2.5" galvo water-pipe jobs, far more effective in fact than the image their description brings today....!
Funnily, not too many of those old time pier type EQ's had any adjustments for alt or az, you could allways pack up the polar axis if it was not enough, but once you'd set the pier not too many could alter azimuth. Not that it was quite so important for most folks then, imaging was not the norm and most used their scopes for visual obbing: measuring separation of doubles, and spectrogaphic analysis were some of the "high-tech" activities of the cognescenti!
Awesome mounts guys. I have a mate whos a "fitter and turner", However I wouldnt trust him to fit toast into a toaster or turn a window winder... (especially if either of them had anything to do with holding my OTA above the ground!!)
Ive commented on Dave's outstanding craftsmanship before: someone else said it almost looked like it was carved from a single billet of aluminium - but my guess is that is was fabricated (built up) from smaller pieces of machined ally stock with some first rate TIG welding.
Whatever/however, simply magnificent; Dave's comments about wishing he'd vibration isolation mounted the motors at least lets us know he's human!!!
Davo perhaps the mount you are refering to this one, it has been in the Asto mag's earlier this year as i recall. http://www4.tpgi.com.au/users/daveg/
Netwolf, are you saying that there were pictures of my mount and scope in an astro mag? WHY WASN'T I TOLD! more importantly, I wonder when I am to receive the royalties cheque......
Dave, I recall an old thread of mine where I posted some Cad files you kindly shared with us. I still think yours is the best ATM mount i have seen to date. I was quiet impressed with it and I tried hard to get one made for me alas it is to exy to get any work done here in Aus. Unless of course you have the skill and equipment (or access to) to do it yourself. Still say hats of to you mate. http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...highlight=Dave
BTW I was very sorry to not to have met you at the SPSP, i think you dropped in on the people setup accros from us who were videoing the Occultation. But I was not 100% sure it was you.
But some of them old mounts are great in there load carying capcity and many have worked miracles at rejuvenating them. Ken's was a fine example the things was rusting away and he turned it around.
Here is one I like, I have spoken with Brian who made it. He is a nice guy and lucky to be able to build such a thing. Its a paramount when you dont have one, check out the images which are links on the page below.
Here is one I like, I have spoken with Brian who made it. He is a nice guy and lucky to be able to build such a thing. Its a paramount when you dont have one, check out the images which are links on the page below.
BUGGER, ya bet me to it! This was the 1st one that came to mind when I saw this thread....I've had printed out pics of this project on my wall for ages. Awesome piece of engineering. And I've seen a bit ;o) Can I add one of the pics (just for impact)....
What masterpieces of engineering ! My first EQ mount was made from 3" galv pipe fittings scrounged from the farm. Very, very rough, but it was improvisation at its best!
Me too been their done that 30 years ago used Edmunds "all about telescopes" as a guide built my own mount and 6" Newt (purchased mirror's and focuser)
That is the name of the book I used still escapes me but it was a green cover with a black sillouette of a EQ newt on the cover, A4 softcover. I have been trying to recall for years. That is the book I used to build my newt.
Still have it, one of the best books written for budding amatuer astronomers. It covers all the basics. Other books I used as a guide include "amatuer telescope making" Scientific America sixth print 1969, it you can get hold of the set 3 books well worth it although I only have 1 of the set. Also "building a low cost telescope" by Eric Witcombe, Founder, Amatuer Astronomer Supply Co, Sydney 1973. I think these days building your own mount would be a lot easier and you probably could do a more professional job.
Founder of Astro-Optical Supplies if I remember correctly.
Ian I believe you are right, I could scan the book, it may be of interest to some very old, err older members.
I'll give it a shot tomorrow and see how i go, mind you, I have never made a PDF file before, but i will give it a go.
Leon
Did you wind up doing this? I have the book, and can scan it. The only issue is all of my stuff is in storage at the moment, due to my, err, exciting and eventful life :-/
I found this page (here) while doing a search for the book.
I registered on this site to make this offer (I will scan it).
I want to get into astronomy at some point, so thought I may as well register.
I have NO IDEA when I will be able to do this, the rental market in Melbourne is a disaster, so I don't know when I can unpack my stuff.
In the meantime, copies of the book can, it seems, be purchased here:
more importantly, I wonder when I am to receive the royalties cheque...
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