Telescope Reviews: My Last Classic Scope

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Equipment Discussions >> Classic Telescopes

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starman876
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 04/28/08

Loc: VA

Re: My Last Classic Scope - Unitron 145C new

[Re: PiSigma]
#5632910 - 01/20/13 10:28 AM

If you need something PM me. I am always willing to help out.

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gelkin
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 09/22/10

Loc: Western, MD.

Re: My Last Classic Scope - Unitron 145C new

[Re: PiSigma]
#5635607 - 01/21/13 07:39 PM

Jon
That is a beauty for sure.

I thought you would be hard pressed to get a deluxe focuser. And such nice condition too. Congrats to you.

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GeneT
Ely Kid

Reged: 11/07/08

Loc: South Texas

Re: My Last Classic Scope - Unitron 145C new

[Re: PiSigma]
#5635784 - 01/21/13 09:48 PM

Quote:

So here it is – My Last Classic Scope. The bucket list is complete for me. No other telescopes need apply.

OK--I lived for several years in Las Vegas. My money is on the line. The only question is -- when and what is the next telescope that will show up on your bucket list. I have found that it is quite easy to add items.

PS--what other classic telescopes that were on your bucket list do you own?

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PiSigma
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/14/09

Loc: North Carolina

Re: My Last Classic Scope - Unitron 145C new

[Re: gelkin]
#5636498 - 01/22/13 09:42 AM

Thanks Gerald. I didn't have much hope for finding a Deluxe focuser either. Sometimes you get lucky.

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PiSigma
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/14/09

Loc: North Carolina

Re: My Last Classic Scope - Unitron 145C new

[Re: GeneT]
#5636502 - 01/22/13 09:45 AM

Hi Gene,

The bucket list was:

Sears 6344
Celestron C8 Orange tube
Criterion RV-6
10" Cave
8" Cave
Unitron 145C
Unitron 155 or 166

Oh geeez, did I just add another one?

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PiSigma
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/14/09

Loc: North Carolina

Re: My Last Classic Scope - Unitron 145C new

[Re: PiSigma]
#5644726 - 01/26/13 04:59 PM Attachment (7 downloads)

I finally got around to finishing the reproduction guide scope box. The one for this scope was missing and the chances of finding one were probably slim and none.

So a friend of Steve's, who had also made him a EQ mount box, dupicated one from an original that Steve had. Here it is next to Steve's and still un-stained.

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PiSigma
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/14/09

Loc: North Carolina

Re: My Last Classic Scope - Unitron 145C new

[Re: PiSigma]
#5644736 - 01/26/13 05:04 PM Attachment (6 downloads)

I'm not a wood worker at all. I haven't stained anything in 35-40 years. So I headed to Lowes and picked up the supplies I needed. I picked out what I thought would be a close stain match, a Cabot stain called Brown Mahogany. Unitron stain colors seem to be a bit different on various cabinets I've seen. This color looked like it would match well but turned out a bit too red for my taste. It is fairly close to my original EQ mount box though.

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PiSigma
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/14/09

Loc: North Carolina

Re: My Last Classic Scope - Unitron 145C new

[Re: PiSigma]
#5644742 - 01/26/13 05:07 PM Attachment (3 downloads)

The hardware on this box is all original restored Unitron from a dilapidated 114 OTA box.

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PiSigma
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/14/09

Loc: North Carolina

Re: My Last Classic Scope - Unitron 145C new

[Re: PiSigma]
#5644745 - 01/26/13 05:08 PM Attachment (6 downloads)

Original hinges replated.

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PiSigma
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/14/09

Loc: North Carolina

Re: My Last Classic Scope - Unitron 145C new

[Re: PiSigma]
#5644754 - 01/26/13 05:11 PM Attachment (6 downloads)

The inside with the grey felt I applied. The woodworker even undercut the area where the felt lies flat, just like an original box. One of the mounting rings is shown on its storage disk.

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PiSigma
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/14/09

Loc: North Carolina

Re: My Last Classic Scope - Unitron 145C new

[Re: PiSigma]
#5644756 - 01/26/13 05:12 PM Attachment (5 downloads)

The guide scope in place in its new home.

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PiSigma
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/14/09

Loc: North Carolina

Re: My Last Classic Scope - Unitron 145C new

[Re: PiSigma]
#5644758 - 01/26/13 05:13 PM Attachment (4 downloads)

Better view of the mounting ring storage.

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gelkin
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 09/22/10

Loc: Western, MD.

Re: My Last Classic Scope - Unitron 145C new

[Re: PiSigma]
#5644801 - 01/26/13 05:41 PM Attachment (3 downloads)

Quote:

I'm not a wood worker at all. I haven't stained anything in 35-40 years. So I headed to Lowes and picked up the supplies I needed. I picked out what I thought would be a close stain match, a Cabot stain called Brown Mahogany. Unitron stain colors seem to be a bit different on various cabinets I've seen. This color looked like it would match well but turned out a bit too red for my taste. It is fairly close to my original EQ mount box though.

Very nice box Jon. I probably have a dozen little cans of stain in my search for a match.

About as close as i have yet is golden oak from Zar. Still a little too dark and too golden. Even tried straight shellac and amber shellac. Still not too close to an original.
Box on the left is refinished (was in bad shape). The others are original. I stained, stripped, restained a tripod section once many times to try and match. Still isn't quite right.

Do you know what kind of wood he used? Looks great.

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PiSigma
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/14/09

Loc: North Carolina

Re: My Last Classic Scope - Unitron 145C new

[Re: gelkin]
#5644890 - 01/26/13 06:43 PM

Thanks Gerald. I believe it is African Mahogany. The stain company's samples are usually shown for pine and oak and I'm sure the shades are different for other kinds of wood, how long you leave it on before wiping it off, etc., etc. I probably should have had him send a scrap piece of wood I could practice / test on.

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PiSigma
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/14/09

Loc: North Carolina

Re: My Last Classic Scope - Unitron 145C new

[Re: PiSigma]
#5644897 - 01/26/13 06:47 PM Attachment (4 downloads)

Accessories! You gotta love 'em.

Here are the two lens caps along with aperture reducers for both the 75mm and 60mm.

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sgorton99
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 04/30/08

Loc: Wisconsin, Madison

Re: My Last Classic Scope - Unitron 145C new

[Re: PiSigma]
#5644898 - 01/26/13 06:47 PM

Looks good Jon. You could re-stain the original boxes to match your new one

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PiSigma
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/14/09

Loc: North Carolina

Re: My Last Classic Scope - Unitron 145C new

[Re: PiSigma]
#5644900 - 01/26/13 06:48 PM Attachment (4 downloads)

Two different versions of the reversible 0.965" / 1.25" EP adapter.

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PiSigma
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/14/09

Loc: North Carolina

Re: My Last Classic Scope - Unitron 145C new

[Re: PiSigma]
#5644904 - 01/26/13 06:51 PM Attachment (5 downloads)

Filters. On the left a 0.965" Sun filter, in the middle a 1.25" Sun filter and on the right a 0.965" Moon filter.

I didn't even know until recently that the 1.25" version of the Sun filter existed.

Standard Disclaimer: Do not use the Sun filters. For collectable use only.

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PiSigma
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/14/09

Loc: North Carolina

Re: My Last Classic Scope - Unitron 145C new