Telescope Reviews: O.W.L. 6" f/5.875 mirror.

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ngc2289
Post Laureate

Reged: 04/13/05

Loc: Some Where Around The Maypole.

O.W.L. 6" f/5.875 mirror.
#5468419 - 10/13/12 02:27 PM

Well yesterday I bought a 6" f/5.875 mirror with semi-enhanced coating from O.W.L.. Some of the other stats. are P-V 1/14, and a Strehl of .98. I am the OTA only. I am going to use an 8" OD concrete form for the tube. I have an old 1 1/4" RP focuser that has been laying around the house for the last 8 years that I will use, and I ordered a Antares 1.52" 1/18 wave diagonal. I plan on getting a 1800Destiny three curved vane diagonal. I am going to try, and build the mirror mount myself. I will make the mirror mount using 1/2" Baltic Birch plywood, 1/4-20 carriage bolts, Compression springs rated for 10.68 pound, and some 1/4" wing nuts. Well that about covers it.

Post Extras:

Shane LaPierre
super member

Reged: 04/17/09

Re: O.W.L. 6" f/5.875 mirror. new

[Re: ngc2289]
#5468812 - 10/13/12 07:41 PM

Enjoy. Always fun making a new one.

Post Extras:

Pinbout
Post Laureate

Reged: 02/22/10

Loc: Montclair

Re: O.W.L. 6" f/5.875 mirror. new

[Re: ngc2289]
#5468828 - 10/13/12 07:53 PM

you should do yourself a favor and not skimp on the focuser. It will make all the difference. a one speed moonlite would do just fine.

That will be one awesome scope.

you could always do a Mark Harry knock-off

Edited by Pinbout (10/13/12 08:10 PM)

Post Extras:

ngc2289
Post Laureate

Reged: 04/13/05

Loc: Some Where Around The Maypole.

Re: O.W.L. 6" f/5.875 mirror. new

[Re: Shane LaPierre]
#5468937 - 10/13/12 09:08 PM

I have not built a scope since 1989. I use to grind my own mirrors, but after 8 mirrors I got burned out. I did enjoy the tube assembly part a great deal though! Yeah I love Moonlite focusers, but I just don't have the money. Maybe I will sell some extra gear, and use the money from that to finance a new focuser.

Post Extras:

ngc2289
Post Laureate

Reged: 04/13/05

Loc: Some Where Around The Maypole.

Re: O.W.L. 6" f/5.875 mirror. new

[Re: Pinbout]
#5468959 - 10/13/12 09:21 PM

I already have a mount I am going to put the scope on. I recently purchased a UA Unistar HD, and will put the 6" on the that.

Post Extras:

daveingu
sage

Reged: 01/24/09

Loc: Guelph, ON Canada

Re: O.W.L. 6" f/5.875 mirror. new

[Re: ngc2289]
#5469002 - 10/13/12 10:05 PM

Have a look at Gary Seronik's telescope making website, he has plans for a mirror cell and curved spider.that could save you some dough for a focuser. I have built both and been very happy with the results.
Dave

Post Extras:

ngc2289
Post Laureate

Reged: 04/13/05

Loc: Some Where Around The Maypole.

Re: O.W.L. 6" f/5.875 mirror. new

[Re: daveingu]
#5469025 - 10/13/12 10:26 PM

Thank you for reminding me! I have Gary Seronik"s website bookmarked. I will give it a look. Thank you again!

Post Extras:

ngc2289
Post Laureate

Reged: 04/13/05

Loc: Some Where Around The Maypole.

Re: O.W.L. 6" f/5.875 mirror. new

[Re: ngc2289]
#5469271 - 10/14/12 03:10 AM

Well I went ahead, and ordered a Moonlite focuser anyway. I will figure out how to pay for it later.

Post Extras:

Mark Harry
Vendor

Reged: 09/05/05

Loc: Northeast USA

Re: O.W.L. 6" f/5.875 mirror. new

[Re: ngc2289]
#5469378 - 10/14/12 07:46 AM

Mike:
"...after 8 mirrors, I got burned out...."

Guess I'm -REALLY- fried!
**********
I think you're going to like a 6" F/6~. Don't see them too often- kinda under-rated, imo.
M.

Post Extras:

Pinbout
Post Laureate

Reged: 02/22/10

Loc: Montclair

Re: O.W.L. 6" f/5.875 mirror. new

[Re: ngc2289]
#5469439 - 10/14/12 09:16 AM

how about your rings

I made these rings after dick parker's rings, but I cut all my notches on a tablesaw.

Post Extras:

EyeSage
member

Reged: 06/08/12

Loc: Canukistan

Re: O.W.L. 6" f/5.875 mirror. new

[Re: Mark Harry]
#5469614 - 10/14/12 11:20 AM

The beauty of a project like this is that if you're unhappy with some part of the design you're not stuck with it. When my home built 6" was due for a re-coat last spring I decided few other improvements to the rest of the scope were in order. By the time I finished the optics were the only original parts that remained.

Post Extras:

ShaulaB
newbie

Reged: 10/11/12

Loc: Missouri

Re: O.W.L. 6" f/5.875 mirror. new

[Re: EyeSage]
#5470541 - 10/14/12 08:52 PM

Is your OWL mirror coated with silver or aluminum? I need to get my Dob mirror re-coated and wondered if you have an opinion about O.W.L. and their services. And I am new around here, and I could not figure out how to start a thread, sorry :-)

Post Extras:

ngc2289
Post Laureate

Reged: 04/13/05

Loc: Some Where Around The Maypole.

Re: O.W.L. 6" f/5.875 mirror. new

[Re: ShaulaB]
#5470596 - 10/14/12 09:31 PM

The mirror hasn't been delivered yet. I ordered their semi-enhanced coating which is I believe an aluminium coating. When the mirror shows up I will be able to comment on the quality.

Post Extras:

ngc2289
Post Laureate

Reged: 04/13/05

Loc: Some Where Around The Maypole.

Re: O.W.L. 6" f/5.875 mirror. new

[Re: ngc2289]
#5476045 - 10/17/12 10:55 PM

The mirror is on the way, and should be delivered this Friday. The tube is on the way as well. I changed my mind, and purchased a Protostar Blacklite tube instead of the concrete forming tube. Thats all for now.

Post Extras:

ngc2289
Post Laureate

Reged: 04/13/05

Loc: Some Where Around The Maypole.

Re: O.W.L. 6" f/5.875 mirror. new

[Re: ngc2289]
#5479781 - 10/20/12 12:47 AM Attachment (46 downloads)

The mirror showed up today. Attached is a picture of the certificate that came with the mirror.

Post Extras:

Mark Harry
Vendor

Reged: 09/05/05

Loc: Northeast USA

Re: O.W.L. 6" f/5.875 mirror. new

[Re: ngc2289]
#5480000 - 10/20/12 07:56 AM

Never thought of a blacklight tube. Ought to make a heck of a scope!
M.

Post Extras:

ngc2289
Post Laureate

Reged: 04/13/05

Loc: Some Where Around The Maypole.

Re: O.W.L. 6" f/5.875 mirror. new

[Re: ngc2289]
#5490099 - 10/26/12 11:59 AM Attachment (39 downloads)

Here is a picture of the mirror.

Post Extras:

ngc2289
Post Laureate

Reged: 04/13/05

Loc: Some Where Around The Maypole.

Re: O.W.L. 6" f/5.875 mirror. new

[Re: ngc2289]
#5490107 - 10/26/12 12:03 PM

I am still waiting for the tube to show up. Ordered the tube on Oct. 15th but so far it is a no show.

Post Extras:

ngc2289
Post Laureate

Reged: 04/13/05

Loc: Some Where Around The Maypole.

Re: O.W.L. 6" f/5.875 mirror. new

[Re: ngc2289]
#5490765 - 10/26/12 07:37 PM Attachment (31 downloads)

I just received notice that the tube shipped today, and will arrive sometime next week. Also here is a picture of the mirror in my home made mirror mount.

Post Extras:

Mark Harry
Vendor

Reged: 09/05/05

Loc: Northeast USA

Re: O.W.L. 6" f/5.875 mirror. new

[Re: ngc2289]
#5491241 - 10/27/12 07:01 AM

Don't you want the bottom annular disc to go out past the edge clip angle brackets?
M.

Post Extras:

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