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Post by mikey cee on Oct 12, 2011 19:53:42 GMT -5
Here is the big Istar R30 lens a whopping 30.5 pounds. Attachments:
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Post by mikey cee on Oct 12, 2011 20:03:19 GMT -5
I purchased a 12" x 6" round aluminum ingot for $400 w/ shipping. My machinist John couldn't secure a tube so a solid 69 lb. piece was procurred. Half of it became a counter cell the other half the tube sleeve. I'm replacing the upper 1/4 of the my 8" F/13.3 Brandt's OTA. This sleeve which is 1" thick will slide inside one tube and over the other. Attachments:
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Post by mikey cee on Oct 12, 2011 20:07:00 GMT -5
Here's the sleeve. In the box is the center core which had to be "pecked" (machinist jargon) out of the center and disgarded. Attachments:
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Post by mikey cee on Oct 12, 2011 20:09:02 GMT -5
Now the finished counter cell. Attachments:
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Post by mikey cee on Oct 12, 2011 20:17:11 GMT -5
Today I went to John's shop to fabricate and prime. I have always wanted an access door in my scope like those Japanese reflectors have. It drives me bananas to not have access to dust and film from "possible" outgassing of inner paints. This door secured by a SS hinge and velcro measures 6" x 8" with an 4" x 6" opening. It will help ventilate the tube and stabilize the flint. Here I'm applying velcro. Attachments:
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Post by mikey cee on Oct 12, 2011 20:18:23 GMT -5
Now the door. Attachments:
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Post by mikey cee on Oct 12, 2011 20:20:25 GMT -5
This pic shows the velcro masked and the tube prepared for primer. Attachments:
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Post by mikey cee on Oct 12, 2011 20:26:07 GMT -5
The finished primed tube. Next I will paint the counter cell and access door gray to match the scope's trim. Then the counter cell will be carefully masked and the tube painted Tidepool Green to match the present scope's color scheme. Attachments:
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Post by mikey cee on Oct 12, 2011 20:33:02 GMT -5
Because of the tremendous weight posed by the R30 glass and it's needed tube counterweight I need these. Three 33lb. barbell plates which will be refitted with new 1-1/2" i.d. nylon sleeves. Attachments:
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Post by jimcurry on Oct 12, 2011 21:51:53 GMT -5
Wow, great stuff, Mikey. Another monster build. Keep'em coming.
Jim
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Post by Watcher3 on Oct 12, 2011 22:07:30 GMT -5
Damn Mikey! That's just too cool!
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Post by Watcher3 on Oct 25, 2011 22:01:54 GMT -5
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Post by jimcurry on Oct 26, 2011 5:15:22 GMT -5
A 30# lens, wow. I see their 8" is around 10#'s. That'll probably translate to a 30-35# OTA.
I wonder what your 10" OTA will weigh?
Jim
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Post by mikey cee on Oct 29, 2011 21:49:38 GMT -5
Here's Karl and John installing the tube adapter sleeve. Attachments:
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Post by mikey cee on Oct 29, 2011 21:52:10 GMT -5
Finally the tubes are mated and the big lens is installed onto the counter cell. Attachments:
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