Post by jack on Aug 28, 2014 13:25:57 GMT -5
Here are some pictures of my 6 inch dob-style folded refractor with an F-15 Istar achro objective. Total project time was about six weekends. My goal was to build a scope optimized for my location in upstate New York, where the seeing (atmospheric and local) is usually poor, on those rare nights when stars are visible.
Scrap lumber, hardware, stain, and paint was used for almost everything but the rotating base of the dob mount, which supported a 10 inch newt I plan to relocate to our winter home in Florida. Total cost for the scope was about $1,100 (slightly less than a 6 inch APO).
Would have included pictures of the various stages of construction, but I didn’t think of posting the project on this site or on CN until it was finished, a few days ago. I’ve included a picture of all the tools used in this build sitting on the drawing of the scope, just to make it clear that anyone with the most basic tool set can do this.
Had no idea how the scope would perform, which is why I spent virtually nothing on any part of the project which could not be sold on A-Mart or other sites.
There have been only two nights to star test the scope since its completion. And I’m amazed by the results. Star tests inside and outside focus look very good. No CA visible on mag 1 stars at 150x. When Vega, now directly overhead, moves to a more convenient position, I’ll look for CA at higher powers. Double star performance is excellent. The close component of i-cas (2.5”) is easily resolved at 150x (not bad for our poor seeing), and views of M13 and other clusters rival similar views in my 10 inch newt with its premium mirror. Have not had a chance to look at the moon yet, but from what I’ve experienced so far, I have reason to be optimistic.
I’ll provide a little more detail when (and if) I post this folded refractor build on the CN site in the next week or two.
Overall, the results have exceeded my expectations. I have the impressive resolution and contrast of a 6 inch refractor, in an easily transportable package, at a very reasonable price.
Scrap lumber, hardware, stain, and paint was used for almost everything but the rotating base of the dob mount, which supported a 10 inch newt I plan to relocate to our winter home in Florida. Total cost for the scope was about $1,100 (slightly less than a 6 inch APO).
Would have included pictures of the various stages of construction, but I didn’t think of posting the project on this site or on CN until it was finished, a few days ago. I’ve included a picture of all the tools used in this build sitting on the drawing of the scope, just to make it clear that anyone with the most basic tool set can do this.
Had no idea how the scope would perform, which is why I spent virtually nothing on any part of the project which could not be sold on A-Mart or other sites.
There have been only two nights to star test the scope since its completion. And I’m amazed by the results. Star tests inside and outside focus look very good. No CA visible on mag 1 stars at 150x. When Vega, now directly overhead, moves to a more convenient position, I’ll look for CA at higher powers. Double star performance is excellent. The close component of i-cas (2.5”) is easily resolved at 150x (not bad for our poor seeing), and views of M13 and other clusters rival similar views in my 10 inch newt with its premium mirror. Have not had a chance to look at the moon yet, but from what I’ve experienced so far, I have reason to be optimistic.
I’ll provide a little more detail when (and if) I post this folded refractor build on the CN site in the next week or two.
Overall, the results have exceeded my expectations. I have the impressive resolution and contrast of a 6 inch refractor, in an easily transportable package, at a very reasonable price.
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