Tel Making

Orion · #1 13-01-2005, 09:05 PM

What about a forum on telescope making. Just an idea

iceman (Mike) · #2 14-01-2005, 08:09 AM

I'm not sure whether there'd be enough interest in it at this stage, but as the forum grows there could certainly be enough interest down the track..

For now just post ATM stuff in the Equipment Discussions forum..

Thanks for your suggestion!

mch62 (Mark) · #3 18-01-2005, 04:10 PM

I'm with ya Orion , an ATM section would be great , for those of us who like to to dabble in this rewarding field.
Mark

Striker (Tony) · #4 18-01-2005, 04:15 PM

I think it would be a terrific forum topic......their is no way I would attempt making a telescope but I have the highest respect and admiration for those who do.....go for it....it may get more people intersted if they could get the required information and support of the forum....good luck...

mch62 (Mark) · #5 18-01-2005, 04:31 PM

I've had a few questions from inspiring minds about building a Newtonian and there are a few of us that have already done so , so it might be slow at first but there is interest.

I am no expert but have sifted through all the different ATM forums for ideas and info on the techniques and optical theories involved.
It took me several months of procrastinating and I think I surfed the web from here to the US and back several times before taking the plunge , but have never looked back .
I am an ATM for life now.

Remember amateur astronomy has it's roots with home built scopes . It's the only way most of us will ever be able to afford top quality large scopes.
Then there are those that just want the challenge and pride in making his own .

Mark ATM

seeker372011 (Narayan) · #6 18-01-2005, 04:44 PM

I think it would be good , particularly as most sites are US based.
If they tell you to find something-say a sonatube it is hard to find the Australian equivalent

help in finding local sources would be very valuable.

for example Iam right now looking for a low cost home made focuser idea for the 3 inch newtonian I am trying to build with surplus shed optics..any suggestions would be welcome

(BTW the idea of this particular project is to build the whole scope for under 50 bucks.Others have done it elsewhere-the so called "mini-dobs"-there was even a webpage devoted to the mini dob on the ATM web ring )

mch62 (Mark) · #7 18-01-2005, 05:06 PM

Actually i saw an artical about a 4"newtonian that packed up into a small carry bag made and it was made from bits and pieces.
looked interesting.
Also saw something on a drain pipe focuser somewhere but can't remember.
I think for a home made focuser a heleical housing from a camera lens would work.
I stripped the elements from a camera lens for a project and the housing left over would have been perfect for a focuser.
The camera lens cost $5 from cash converters.

Mark

Orion · #8 18-01-2005, 09:22 PM

I believe that you get a lot of satisfaction in building a telescope and I find it very rewarding looking through a telescope that I made. The telescope that I have is the second one that I built and as always the next telescope gets bigger in aperture. Not to mention all the $$$ you save by building it yourself.

Orion · #9 18-01-2005, 09:29 PM

QUOTE]Originally posted by mhodson

I am an ATM for life now.[/QUOTE]
So am I!!

mch62 (Mark) · #10 19-01-2005, 07:40 AM

Orion you must get some great DS views out of that beasty.

I have a couple of questions for you .

I am in the early stages of building my observatory for my 12.5" f6 Newtonian (two posts in

)and have designed the observatory to take up to an 18" (I hope) .

What is the overall length of the OTA ?

Do you know roughly what the distance from the balance point to the frount of the OTA is ?

What's the coma like at f4.5 and do you use a Comacorr ?

I am not is the immediate market to upgrade yet but I know what apperature fever is like , it pays to plan ahead !

Mark

Orion · #11 19-01-2005, 05:43 PM

Yes Mark the deep sky views through the 18" with a 24.5 SWA meade eyepiece are great!

The balance point is at the top of the mirror box and the OTA is 1621mm
I did the drawing on the CAD before I started building anything so I wouldn’t get any surprises half way through the building process so any measurement is no trouble at all.

I haven’t tried a Comacorr yet there is a bit of coma there but nothing that I’m worried about at this time.

I don’t know what type of telescope you are going to build but if it is anything like an Obsession I suggest you to get the book.

Happy ATMing!

mch62 (Mark) · #12 21-01-2005, 04:02 PM

No , any upgrade will be a larger version of what I have in the Avtar pic , on the fork mount that I am building .
Twin truss OTA .
I am just making sure that any upgrade will fit between the forks and within the dome.
It will just be an f5 next time to keep the overall length with in the 3.4m dome .
At this stage it will only be a 16" as that is the largest that Rob Royce does in the conical cross section Mirrors.
I am how ever hoping that by the time I am ready to upgrade , larger sizes are available in the Conical Mirrors.
What thickness mirror is the 18" as that has a lot to do with the balance point.

ving (David) · #13 21-01-2005, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by iceman
I'm not sure whether there'd be enough interest in it at this stage, but as the forum grows there could certainly be enough interest down the track..

For now just post ATM stuff in the Equipment Discussions forum..

Thanks for your suggestion!

I am with you on this. and you can have TOO many forums too.... how about one on cats?

just kidding bout the cats btw.

Orion · #14 22-01-2005, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mhodson

What thickness mirror is the 18" as that has a lot to do with the balance point.

It's 30mm in thickness.

ving (David) · #15 28-01-2005, 03:11 PM

no one wants a forum on cats?

Vermin (Tom) · #16 28-01-2005, 04:05 PM

An ATM forum would be appropriate as I've just heard that my Telekit has shipped and I should get it in the next week to 10 days!!

Wooohooo!

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #17 28-01-2005, 04:45 PM

I imagine we won't hear from you much in about ten days.

Busy, busy, busy, build, build, build!

Vermin (Tom) · #18 28-01-2005, 05:46 PM

Probably, but there is a fair amount of waiting for epoxy to set so I should get a few posts in. Just depends on the state of my arms after all the sanding and routing.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #19 28-01-2005, 10:24 PM

And the state of your brain cells after epoxy fumes!

cometcatcher (Kevin) · #20 28-01-2005, 10:27 PM

I'd like a forum on cats. Mmm, think I'm going to have to post a pic of my cat neow in the camera section. No that wasn't a typo.

My 16" dob cost around $1000 to build all up. That was back in 1991.

Most of my scopes were kept cheap by using PVC pipe for focusers. However I like the feel of a rack and pinion better. Much smoother. And it makes me taller too. Oops.