24" Nasmyth

[Astroman (Andrew Wall)]

Looks like the mirror sling?

Wow great progress, looking better and better all the time.

[Orion]

Thanks for the comments guys.
The wire is for the sling for the mirror it is tensioned a bit to keep it in place.

[GrahamL]

Looking great Ed ..low profile and no ladders ..would a child or someone in a chair have a shot at a fair view through this one ?

[Orion]

Originally Posted by nightstalker

would a child or someone in a chair have a shot at a fair view through this one ?

A child yes but a person that is wheelchair bound no.

I have a small platform that I use with my 18" and the kids hop on that without a problem to reach the eyepiece. Depending on how low the object is that you are observing, some observing can be done sitting on a stool.

If you were to build a large aperture telescope for wheelchair bound people the Nasmyth design can easily lend itself to that by allowing the focuser to be positioned further down the telescope.

[norm]

Looks fantastic Ed, you certainly have some enviable skills!

BTW: When are you taking orders ?

[Orion]

Thanks Norm,

No orders but you never know in years to come...

[Orion]

The box is stained with a few coats of Polyurethane.
I need to spray the inside black, bolt the truss connectors on and put the cell in.

Next step rocker box.

[stringscope (Ian)]

Looking really nice Ed.

Cheers,

[Orion]

Thanks Ian, I hope to do some work on the rocker box this week end.

[CoombellKid]

Originally Posted by Orion

Progress report. Finished the second ring and focuser board.

how long did you leave the focuser board to set. I see you have used to
layers of 3mm? ply. has it kept it's shape well?

I am in the middle of making my curved focuser board. But found the ply
in my case 3mm a bit hard to form the curve I need. So I opted for veneer
it's been clamped for a couple of days now, since it has been pretty wet
up here I've decided to leave it like that for a few days more.

One thing I hadn't thought of that I see in the design of your mould is using
ply to line the mould. I have used 6 blocks cut from 5"x1" hardwood. although
the surface is fairly square it isn't perfect.

regards,CS

[Orion]

Hi Rob,
I left it clamped for three days and it has kept it's shape very well.

I soaked the ply in water for a little bit before I laminated them together.
The thing is that the outside diameter of my board is 600mm and it didn't need that much bending.
If I had to make a smaller dia board I would do it with the veneer as you have, I think it's going to turn out great.

I used ply to line the mould because the bend that I needed wasn't extreme.

[Orion]

Finished mirror box.

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by Orion

Finished mirror box.

Eddie, that coffee table looks like a winner!!!

so , when do you install the legs? Does it have an internal light?? JK

cant wait to see the final product

is the mirror and secondary completed for this yet?

[Orion]

Originally Posted by h0ughy

is the mirror and secondary completed for this yet?

No Houghy, the optics is the slowest part of all.
With a full time job and demands from my family the little time I have left I use up on the telescope, things like this take some time and like I said I'm in no rush plus when I'm finished I'll only start another project up (It's a hobby).

[CoombellKid]

The outside diameter of my focuser board is 240mm, I'm looking forward
to pulling out of the mold in a few days to see how it turned out.

I'm also looking forward to seeing your complete beasty, looks awesome!!!

regards,CS

[acropolite (Phil)]

Just picked up this thread, somehow I had missed it, looks fantastic Ed, a real work of art.

[Orion]

I'm just curious to know how people would rate this thread?
I mean is it a help to most people considering building their own telescope?

I think Ian and Rob might have got something out of it.

Originally Posted by acropolite

Just picked up this thread, somehow I had missed it, looks fantastic Ed, a real work of art.

Thanks Phil, you would of had some reading to do

[Rod]

[quote=Orion;251279]I'm just curious to know how people would rate this thread?
I mean is it a help to most people considering building their own telescope?

I think Ian and Rob might have got something out of it.

Hi Ed,

I haven't posted on this thread but I check it regularly. I think this thread is very useful for me. I have the optics half made for a 14 inch nasmyth cassegrain. So I am watching your progress with great interest. I hope you will continue to keep us updated.

Rod.

[Orion]

It's good to see that you are building a Nasmyth as well.
Why a Nasmyth?

[CoombellKid]

Yup! I check in once a day. It was your picture of the focuser board clamp
that gave me the idea to do the same. At the time I was wondering how I
would do it myself. Plus the calibre of your work from your pictures is very
inspiring.

Please keep posting : )

regards,CS