ProfMMC
super member
Reged: 09/13/07
Posts: 183
Loc: London UK
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Finally my observatory build has started. Every decision has been made after hours of reading CN and looking at photos. To return the favour I shall bore you with pictures of my build.
I live 5 miles south of the heart of London. Light pollution is my middle name. I am hoping for a 10 fold or more increase in use of my scopes once this project is complete.
I will do as much as I can myself.
I have planned the build as a staged process that gives me maximum flexibility if I change my mind about anything.
Current objective is to build an 8 x 8 roll-off roof wooden observatory.
The base is made out of 4x2 timber, and sits on four brick pillars, one at each corner. I needed to gain a bit of height as I have to view over the shed next door, I wanted a wooden floor (warmer), I think a plug surrounded by earth will be better isolated, and finally and 8x8 6 inch deep screed is a hell of a lot more concrete.
The base is 90% complete. I have left the gap to allow for easy access to the hole for the plug.
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Orion Optics UK 350mm Dob
Celestron 8SE
Bressier R-127L + minus violet filter(F=1200mm achromatic)
ETX125
Revelation 80mmED
W0 ZS66
EQ6 Pro
DSI I
Edited by ProfMMC (03/04/08 03:15 AM)
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ProfMMC
super member
Reged: 09/13/07
Posts: 183
Loc: London UK
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A close up of the hole. The shuttering at the top is 3x3 and
the hole extends around 2 foot six down. The ground never freezes in London (we get an inch of snow once a year) so I have concluded that I do not need to go real deep.
Digging the hole was a nigthmare.
I hope I have got this decision right.
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Orion Optics UK 350mm Dob
Celestron 8SE
Bressier R-127L + minus violet filter(F=1200mm achromatic)
ETX125
Revelation 80mmED
W0 ZS66
EQ6 Pro
DSI I
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ProfMMC
super member
Reged: 09/13/07
Posts: 183
Loc: London UK
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The shuttering is temporally held a few inches below the base.
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Orion Optics UK 350mm Dob
Celestron 8SE
Bressier R-127L + minus violet filter(F=1200mm achromatic)
ETX125
Revelation 80mmED
W0 ZS66
EQ6 Pro
DSI I
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ProfMMC
super member
Reged: 09/13/07
Posts: 183
Loc: London UK
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I drove two 4 foot long lengths of thick reinforcing 3 feet
deeper, and have attacted the first layer of reinforcing.
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Orion Optics UK 350mm Dob
Celestron 8SE
Bressier R-127L + minus violet filter(F=1200mm achromatic)
ETX125
Revelation 80mmED
W0 ZS66
EQ6 Pro
DSI I
Edited by ProfMMC (03/03/08 04:37 PM)
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ProfMMC
super member
Reged: 09/13/07
Posts: 183
Loc: London UK
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Three layers of reinforcing:
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Orion Optics UK 350mm Dob
Celestron 8SE
Bressier R-127L + minus violet filter(F=1200mm achromatic)
ETX125
Revelation 80mmED
W0 ZS66
EQ6 Pro
DSI I
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ProfMMC
super member
Reged: 09/13/07
Posts: 183
Loc: London UK
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And reinforcing for the pillar:
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Orion Optics UK 350mm Dob
Celestron 8SE
Bressier R-127L + minus violet filter(F=1200mm achromatic)
ETX125
Revelation 80mmED
W0 ZS66
EQ6 Pro
DSI I
|
ProfMMC
super member
Reged: 09/13/07
Posts: 183
Loc: London UK
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Pillar in place and held upright:
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Orion Optics UK 350mm Dob
Celestron 8SE
Bressier R-127L + minus violet filter(F=1200mm achromatic)
ETX125
Revelation 80mmED
W0 ZS66
EQ6 Pro
DSI I
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Kaizu
sage
Reged: 08/17/07
Posts: 235
Loc: Finland
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If you want to be sure that the ground never freeze, you can put styrofoam or some other isolating plates around the pier. The coldness is not bad and the wetness is not bad but together they can distort the pier and one time is enough.
Kaizu
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There is nothing as wise as German engineer
http://www.kaiforssen.fi
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csa/montana
Astro Ambassador
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 25565
Loc: montana
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Congratulations on your building of your Observatory! We are never bored with members sharing their building of their observatories! It looks as though you are progressing quite nicely!
Please keep the photos coming, & best of luck with your continuing progress!
Carol
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Carol
AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
AstroTech 66ED / Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Tak LE 5mm
7mm Pentax XL, 10mm Pentax XW
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
22mm Pan, 35mm Pan
DreamCatcher Dobservatory, #2
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ProfMMC
super member
Reged: 09/13/07
Posts: 183
Loc: London UK
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Good to hear that I will not be boring anyone. A view down the pier. It does not look neat, but the reinforcing is there to do a job not look good.
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Orion Optics UK 350mm Dob
Celestron 8SE
Bressier R-127L + minus violet filter(F=1200mm achromatic)
ETX125
Revelation 80mmED
W0 ZS66
EQ6 Pro
DSI I
Edited by ProfMMC (03/03/08 05:27 PM)
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ProfMMC
super member
Reged: 09/13/07
Posts: 183
Loc: London UK
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This is my bottom plate. It is going to be held in the pier by 3 18 inch lengths of 10mm threaded rod.
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Orion Optics UK 350mm Dob
Celestron 8SE
Bressier R-127L + minus violet filter(F=1200mm achromatic)
ETX125
Revelation 80mmED
W0 ZS66
EQ6 Pro
DSI I
Edited by ProfMMC (03/03/08 05:30 PM)
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ProfMMC
super member
Reged: 09/13/07
Posts: 183
Loc: London UK
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An action shot: marking true north as the sun transits ...
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Orion Optics UK 350mm Dob
Celestron 8SE
Bressier R-127L + minus violet filter(F=1200mm achromatic)
ETX125
Revelation 80mmED
W0 ZS66
EQ6 Pro
DSI I
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Bowmoreman
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/11/06
Posts: 2823
Loc: Bolton, MA
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One thought before tyou get too far along... you probably should put additional concrete supports under the sides at midpoint... 8' span is kinda long; though I don't know the dimensions of your sill joists... If they are 10" or bigger you're probably OK...
Looking good and we LOVE long "boring" threads with lotsa pics, etc!
Clear enough skies
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Dave
Ustream
YLive
XT10i, RTP, CGE, TMB80SS, SN8
31T5, 22T4, 13Ethos, 8Ethos, TV 3-6 Zoom; Paracorr
MallincamColorHyperPlus,SBIG STV&237A;CanonRebel Xti
WilderSkiesObservatory(BYO #90)
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Pedestal
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 03/11/06
Posts: 2848
Loc: Smoggy Bottom, Baytown,Texas
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Looking good, so far. I would suggest you are going to need more support for your floor than just the four corners, though.
Hubert
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www.smoggybottom.org
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ProfMMC
super member
Reged: 09/13/07
Posts: 183
Loc: London UK
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Yes I am going to check the need for further supports after the pier is cast. The base has only been put together now since I can use it to hold up the shuttering and the pier.
The base is just lying loose on the four pillars and can (with a bit of puff) be lifted up to rest against the fence.
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Orion Optics UK 350mm Dob
Celestron 8SE
Bressier R-127L + minus violet filter(F=1200mm achromatic)
ETX125
Revelation 80mmED
W0 ZS66
EQ6 Pro
DSI I
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Chris Schroeder
Post Laureate
Reged: 12/11/04
Posts: 4677
Loc: N.E. WI Sky Glow
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Great job so far, looking good
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Chris
Mallincam Color Hyper Plus
10" DSH with SC DSC, CPC 800 XLT
M102ED S.V., ZS 80FD 10th Anniv, ZS 66SD, PST
POD XL3 http://POD.SchroederCity.com
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mikey cee
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/18/07
Posts: 2073
Loc: bellevue ne.
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It's hard to tell but is your lumber treated? If not you'd better brush on something! Termites and their little mud tunnels won't have to go far and you won't even be aware of the extent of their damage untilit's too late!   Mike
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Mike 10x50 sears tower binocs, 3" f/10 edmunds reflector, 2.4" f/11.7 manon refractor, 6" f/8 jaegers refractor, "The 8 Ball" 8" f/13.3 brandt refractor, 3" f/15.8 sans&streiffe refractor, 3.1" f/15 selsi refractor(towa 339), 2.4" f/15 sears refractor, selsi 30x30mm spyglass, criterion 5-draw 25x45x75x spyglass(1957).
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cnstarz
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/22/07
Posts: 518
Loc: Kentucky, USA
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I love the look of that pier, I've seen where others have a conduit for electrical inside the tube. Are you planning something similar?
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Matt
Apogee 50mm BB scope
ETX-60 BB
Meade 70-az
5" DIY Newt (wip)
C6-N on CG-4 GEM
Gallery
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skybsd
sage
Reged: 02/01/08
Posts: 222
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Hello,
Living just south of you, I'm following your progress with very keen interest!
Although a couple of months into this most addictive of activities, I'm already having the beginnings of my own grand plans of "something a bit more permanent" in my garden, and have even already gotten the go ahead from my local planning office
Looks great! All the best!
Regards,
skybsd
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ProfMMC
super member
Reged: 09/13/07
Posts: 183
Loc: London UK
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Yes I got treated lumber, and have brought a tin of preservative to paint the ends after sawing. I shall make sure that the timber is only resting on brick - not earth so it should last as long as I need it to.
I am thinking about the conduit, but no final conclusion yet.
skybsd: how far south are you? I find that being in south London means that the view south is better light pollution wise than it would be if you were north of the river.
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Orion Optics UK 350mm Dob
Celestron 8SE
Bressier R-127L + minus violet filter(F=1200mm achromatic)
ETX125
Revelation 80mmED
W0 ZS66
EQ6 Pro
DSI I
|
cnstarz
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/22/07
Posts: 518
Loc: Kentucky, USA
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I've been lurking on stargazers lounge and noted how tight the space is there. One person had to haul everything through the house. How's the logistical situation with you? That pier's gonna take a few bags of concrete I'll bet. 
Thanks for sharing 
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Matt
Apogee 50mm BB scope
ETX-60 BB
Meade 70-az
5" DIY Newt (wip)
C6-N on CG-4 GEM
Gallery
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ProfMMC
super member
Reged: 09/13/07
Posts: 183
Loc: London UK
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I am taking a break whilst I review the mix and pour problem. Road access is to the front of my house. Everything has to be barrowed through the garage and down to the bottom of the garden. I estimate about 3/4 m^3 of concrete. My options:
1) Pay someone to do it. Everything is prepared so it is just a case of mixing and pouring.
2) Borrow my dads cement mixer (a 200 mile round trip) and mix myself from balast and cement. I did this for the base of the 8x6 garden shed that sits next to where my observatory is going. It was hard work I seem to remember.
3) See if I can buy bagged (just add water) concrete and either mix one bag at a time in a gorilla bag, or again borrow the cement mixer.
4) ReadyMix is a minimum of 1m^3 so I think that option is out.
I have run out of annual leave until April which is not helping. Frustratingly I only have weekends to play with in March.
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Orion Optics UK 350mm Dob
Celestron 8SE
Bressier R-127L + minus violet filter(F=1200mm achromatic)
ETX125
Revelation 80mmED
W0 ZS66
EQ6 Pro
DSI I
|
cnstarz
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/22/07
Posts: 518
Loc: Kentucky, USA
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Call on a few friends and tell em you're making stone soup.
... 
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Matt
Apogee 50mm BB scope
ETX-60 BB
Meade 70-az
5" DIY Newt (wip)
C6-N on CG-4 GEM
Gallery
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mikey cee
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/18/07
Posts: 2073
Loc: bellevue ne.
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If it were me I'd rent a mixer for about the same as gas for a 200 mile trip and my time...an entire day shot! Those 60lb bags of premixed concrete only make about 1/2 a cubic foot of mix. It'll tale a lot of bags. Mike
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Mike 10x50 sears tower binocs, 3" f/10 edmunds reflector, 2.4" f/11.7 manon refractor, 6" f/8 jaegers refractor, "The 8 Ball" 8" f/13.3 brandt refractor, 3" f/15.8 sans&streiffe refractor, 3.1" f/15 selsi refractor(towa 339), 2.4" f/15 sears refractor, selsi 30x30mm spyglass, criterion 5-draw 25x45x75x spyglass(1957).
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cnstarz
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/22/07
Posts: 518
Loc: Kentucky, USA
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You may have seen this 7 ton pier thread but there's lots of great info in this beautiful disaster.Thread
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Matt
Apogee 50mm BB scope
ETX-60 BB
Meade 70-az
5" DIY Newt (wip)
C6-N on CG-4 GEM
Gallery
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skybsd
sage
Reged: 02/01/08
Posts: 222
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Quote:
skybsd: how far south are you? I find that being in south London means that the view south is better light pollution wise than it would be if you were north of the river.
Hello,
I'm just in Esher, Surrey.
My night skies are generally quite good (UK weather considering), except for a small segment of glow from the racecourse that burns all night 
Got your thread in my favs, following with growing interest!
Regards,
skybsd
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nytecam
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/20/05
Posts: 4524
Loc: London UK
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Quote:
Termites and their little mud tunnels won't have to go far and you won't even be aware of the extent of their damage untilit's too late! Mike
Termites in London Mike  - that'll enter the Guiness Book of Records 
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Nytecam 51N 0.1W
Meade 30cm LX200+ETX-70+DS-2090+C8+Ha+CaK PSTs SBIG SGS+homebuilt spectrographs
Starlight SXVF_M9/Lodestar/Canon 300D DSLR/Fuji E550
My observatory build-ETX-70 imaging-spectro page
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ProfMMC
super member
Reged: 09/13/07
Posts: 183
Loc: London UK
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Took a while to sort out the plan for the concrete.
Redimix mixamate would have cost £170 for a minimum of 1m^3. I was not too unhappy with the cost but the mix would go off in 1 hour. Too short a lenght of time for me barrow it all 150 feet or so from the front of the house to the back via the garage. They do have (for extra cost) a small dumper but at 800mm it was too wide to get through the side door on my garage.
Local builders showed little interest. The only one prepared to quote wanted £400 which I beat down to £350.
In the end my father has volunteered to drive to 100 miles down to London with the mixer and a mate who does some labouring for him. His mate wants £100 for the day. Adding in £40 fuel, say £40 for 10 bags of cement, and say £40 for a bulk bag of ballast that gives a bill of around £230.
Looks like this can be done the weekend after Easter.
--------------------
Orion Optics UK 350mm Dob
Celestron 8SE
Bressier R-127L + minus violet filter(F=1200mm achromatic)
ETX125
Revelation 80mmED
W0 ZS66
EQ6 Pro
DSI I
|
nytecam
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/20/05
Posts: 4524
Loc: London UK
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Hi Prof - you seem to be sorted for labour but must admit I've never used a mixer for concrete on either observatory project - just a sturdy plastic sheet on the ground to 'roll' and mix the cement+aggregate together. I was able to barrow materials close to site.  Good luck with your project which I'm watching with interest 
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Nytecam 51N 0.1W
Meade 30cm LX200+ETX-70+DS-2090+C8+Ha+CaK PSTs SBIG SGS+homebuilt spectrographs
Starlight SXVF_M9/Lodestar/Canon 300D DSLR/Fuji E550
My observatory build-ETX-70 imaging-spectro page
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mikey cee
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/18/07
Posts: 2073
Loc: bellevue ne.
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How much does it cost to rent a mixer from a rental shop??  Mike
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Mike 10x50 sears tower binocs, 3" f/10 edmunds reflector, 2.4" f/11.7 manon refractor, 6" f/8 jaegers refractor, "The 8 Ball" 8" f/13.3 brandt refractor, 3" f/15.8 sans&streiffe refractor, 3.1" f/15 selsi refractor(towa 339), 2.4" f/15 sears refractor, selsi 30x30mm spyglass, criterion 5-draw 25x45x75x spyglass(1957).
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ProfMMC
super member
Reged: 09/13/07
Posts: 183
Loc: London UK
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The mix and pour went ahead two weeks ahead of schedule. Of course it rained all day making for a very messy job. The first barrow load:
--------------------
Orion Optics UK 350mm Dob
Celestron 8SE
Bressier R-127L + minus violet filter(F=1200mm achromatic)
ETX125
Revelation 80mmED
W0 ZS66
EQ6 Pro
DSI I
|
ProfMMC
super member
Reged: 09/13/07
Posts: 183
Loc: London UK
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The finished product with all the shuttering removed and the base taken away:
--------------------
Orion Optics UK 350mm Dob
Celestron 8SE
Bressier R-127L + minus violet filter(F=1200mm achromatic)
ETX125
Revelation 80mmED
W0 ZS66
EQ6 Pro
DSI I
|
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