Andy's plywood 6" f15 D&G

[plyscope]

Hi there,

A few years ago I made a 6" f15 using thin marine ply and a D&G lens. I wrote an article for Ice in Space, the Aussie astro forum. I am looking forward to making a 5" f12 Istar using a similar method.

www.iceinspace.com.au/41-340-0-0-1-0.html

Since writing the article the scope has been fitted with an Astro Physics 2.7" focuser and better tube rings. I no longer have the steel pier as we have moved house but I have plans for another one at the new place. In the meantime I use it with the wooden pier mount which has also been modified since the article.

Andy

[plyscope]

Here is a picture

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[plyscope]

The above picture shows the 6" f15 next to a 90mm Antares scope made in a similar way. This picture shows the 6" f15 next my 6" f5 Jaegers.

Andy

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[Watcher3]

Nice collection, and beautiful workmanship. I think I would be afraid to bring those outside! More like high end furniture.

[plyscope]

Thanks Joe. The varnished wood does look like furniture I suppose but the idea comes from stitch and glue boat building. I made a couple of kayaks using the thin marine ply and they are amazingly tough and light. The telescopes are sealed and varnished and though I wouldn't call them waterproof they are certanly resistant to dew and moisture. I will try to describe the whole process with lot's of pictures when I make the next scope. I encourage others to have a try. For me it was the easiest way to make a telescope as I had some boat building experience and when I tried to source aluminum tubing locally it was either not available or just too expensive.

Andy

[lesliehess]

Outstanding craftsmanship. All are absolutely beautiful,