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Post by plyscope on Jun 5, 2011 18:09:43 GMT -5
I have been making a plywood tube for my 5 inch F12 lens. It is finished now and just waiting on the mount for first light. The tube is made from 4mm occoume ply in an octagonal form with 4mm ply baffles acting as ring frames. It is all glued together. I have described the whole process step by step in a thread on Cloudy Nights ATM forum. The focuser and finder are GSO products. The focuser tube adapter is home made from brass. Andy Jackson Perth Australia Attachments:
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Post by plyscope on Jun 5, 2011 18:15:24 GMT -5
The tube is glued up in stages to allow the inside to be painted black. Attachments:
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Post by plyscope on Jun 5, 2011 18:16:20 GMT -5
This photo shows the baffles. Attachments:
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Post by plyscope on Jun 5, 2011 18:17:23 GMT -5
The paint is red enamel left over from another project. Attachments:
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Post by plyscope on Jun 5, 2011 18:18:32 GMT -5
Ready for first light. I will follow up when I have had a chance to use it. Andy Attachments:
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Post by Watcher3 on Jun 5, 2011 19:46:07 GMT -5
I am simply awestruck at how easy you make such quality work look! I know it will take longer for me to make my scope, and I won't be making the tube from scratch. Absolutely beautiful scope, Andy. Almost makes you forget it's supposed to be looked THROUGH.
Joe
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Post by plyscope on Jun 5, 2011 20:04:10 GMT -5
Thanks Joe
I have made a few scopes now and it does get easier each time. I am already planning my next one (5" f15 D&G) but that will have to wait until later in the year.
I would like others to try and make scopes like this so if anyone has any questions then please let me know.
Andy
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Post by Mike on Jun 5, 2011 22:16:38 GMT -5
Nice job Andy. You make wood look good. I'm sending Ales this link as I am sure he will appreciate your work. When you get a good picture of the scope on a mount will you please email it to me so we can get it on the Istar site? I'm sending you a PM with the email address. Really looking forward to hearing how it performs.
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Post by plyscope on Jun 6, 2011 9:34:56 GMT -5
Thanks Mike Tonight I put together a temporary mount arrangement just to try the scope. I am pleased with it so far but need to do more observing to make a critical judgement of the lens. I will be happy to send a decent picture of the scope on a mount when I finish it properly. This is what I used for first light this evening. The pier is one I use for another scope and is undersized for this one, damping was around 2 seconds. I will make something better eventually. Here is a link to the construction thread on Cloudy Nights. www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Board/atm/Number/4572197/page/0/view/collapsed/sb/5/o/all/fpart/1Andy Attachments:
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Post by Mike on Jun 6, 2011 16:14:55 GMT -5
Absolutely love it Andy. Can't wait for the finished picture.
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Post by plyscope on Nov 30, 2011 2:55:18 GMT -5
Finally finished the tripod. Now looking forward to using this scope some more, starting tonight if it stays clear.  Andy Attachments:
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Post by mikey cee on Nov 30, 2011 10:36:09 GMT -5
Andy....I 've never said before but I've always been impressed by your love of woodworking. Having been a cabinet maker and carpenter for years I truely can appreciate this "stuff". The photo looks solid and I'm sure the actions are too! Cool!  8-)Mike |
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Post by plyscope on Nov 30, 2011 16:54:41 GMT -5
Thanks Mike, I appreciate your thoughts. I really enjoy wood work as a hobby. It started as a kid with model planes and boats. Now when I am in the shed working on a telescope or small boat I am a 47 year old kid! ;D
Last night was clear for an hour then high cloud came over. The views of the moon and Jupiter were great considering the seeing was average. A brief look at Venus showed some colour but it was mostly from the atmospheric disturbance. It was not possible to get a steady image. Later on about 10pm the cloud had moved on and I looked at Orion for 15 minutes before packing up. I tried for the fifth and sixth stars in the Trapezium but could not see them. I'll try again in the future when Orion is higher and the atmosphere is more steady.
Andy
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Post by Mike on Dec 5, 2011 21:26:41 GMT -5
Andy, you have started a little trend. I've had 2 or 3 recent inquiries for lenses and all saying they saw your scope and wanted to try building a wooden tube. I don't know if they realize the skill needed. Or the difficulty of getting something "square" enough to be able to collimate. I see a book in your future. "How to build a Wood Tube Refractor" or "Wood Tube Refractors for Dummies" What do you think?
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Post by borispider on Dec 6, 2011 14:03:58 GMT -5
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8-)Mike