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Equipment Discussions >> Refractors

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Kunama
super member

Reged: 10/22/12

Loc: Australia

My little refractor on an old mount !
#5514110 - 11/11/12 09:00 AM Attachment (201 downloads)

While waiting for my new Vixen GPD2 to arrive from Japan I decided I needed an astronomy restoration project to keep me busy. Here she is:

This is my 'Gaunt Equatorial Telescope Stand' made by Thomas Gaunt, Optician and Jeweller, Melbourne circa 1885. She is certainly no lightweight:
The triangular pier stands 41" tall and weighs in at 137lbs
The iron and brass equatorial mount is a relative lightweight at 82lbs
The single counterweight is a featherlight 35lb

I will be restoring the mount to its former glory over the next few months and once complete she will scan the heavens from Jindabyne, Australia.

Being a bit of a brute of a mount, she needed something equally hefty to carry, luckily I was able to buy a mint condition Istar Perseus AT150 F10 and although they had an age difference of 125 years, it was a match made in heaven.

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johntrob
sage

Reged: 03/14/11

Loc: Georgia, USA

Re: My little refractor on an old mount ! new

[Re: Kunama]
#5514135 - 11/11/12 09:22 AM

Very nice setup and view

John

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mikey cee
Postmaster

Reged: 01/18/07

Loc: bellevue ne.

Re: My little refractor on an old mount ! new

[Re: johntrob]
#5514274 - 11/11/12 11:16 AM

You are one lucky rat that's all I can say!!

Mike

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Agatha
professor emeritus

Reged: 06/04/12

Loc: Minneapolis, MN

Re: My little refractor on an old mount ! new

[Re: Kunama]
#5514388 - 11/11/12 12:21 PM

Everything in that photograph is beautiful. Enjoy.

Best, Linda B.

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Kunama
super member

Reged: 10/22/12

Loc: Australia

Re: My little refractor on an old mount ! new

[Re: Kunama]
#5514851 - 11/11/12 05:56 PM Attachment (61 downloads)

Thank you for the replies, yes we are lucky to have found this piece of paradise with view that can never be built out.
I have now dismantled the mount and have am doing a DIY thread for those interested in the 'Old Girl'
So the Refractor has gone back into hiding for a little while.

Here is a pic of a morning storms that passed by a while back.

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thomas68
sage

Reged: 01/25/11

Loc: North west Indiana

Re: My little refractor on an old mount ! new

[Re: Kunama]
#5514865 - 11/11/12 06:09 PM

That is from your deck? You are very lucky!

Tom

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Sky Muse
sage

Reged: 10/26/12

Loc: De Soto County, MS

Re: My little refractor on an old mount ! new

[Re: Kunama]
#5515371 - 11/12/12 12:36 AM

It's hardly "little", but a beauty nonetheless. The Istars are unique and most compelling.

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chboss
professor emeritus

Reged: 03/24/08

Loc: Tokyo Japan

Re: My little refractor on an old mount ! new

[Re: Sky Muse]
#5515421 - 11/12/12 01:28 AM

Beautiful mount and scope!

But I wonder if the GPD2 is able to handle the weight and especially the lever of the Istar.... looking forward to your results.

best regards
Chris

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Kunama
super member

Reged: 10/22/12

Loc: Australia

Re: My little refractor on an old mount ! new

[Re: chboss]
#5515485 - 11/12/12 04:04 AM

Quote:

Beautiful mount and scope!

But I wonder if the GPD2 is able to handle the weight and especially the lever of the Istar.... looking forward to your results.

best regards
Chris

Thanks guys, I love the combination!
Hi Chris, the GPD2 is not for this scope, it will carry my Vixen R200SS F4 Reflector for AP. I bought this mount with a view to building a large refractor one day. Then by chance the Istar Perseus in mint condition became available at a great price so I bought it for the Gaunt Mount.

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chboss
professor emeritus

Reged: 03/24/08

Loc: Tokyo Japan

Re: My little refractor on an old mount ! new

[Re: Kunama]
#5515571 - 11/12/12 07:38 AM

Ah OK I am relieved to hear that... anything else would have been a surprise.

I would love to hear how your Istar performs.

best regards
Chris

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nightfisher
super member

Reged: 11/06/11

Loc: Huddersfield UK

Re: My little refractor on an old mount ! new

[Re: chboss]
#5515577 - 11/12/12 07:45 AM

That is one very nice setup in a superb location............not at all envious ...well maybe a little

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Kunama
super member

Reged: 10/22/12

Loc: Australia

Re: My little refractor on an old mount ! new

[Re: Kunama]
#5517323 - 11/13/12 06:32 AM Attachment (47 downloads)

The refractor is having a little rest in its case while I recommission the mount, after 2 days of intensive disassembly and polishing things are starting to look promising: Gone from this:

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Kunama
super member

Reged: 10/22/12

Loc: Australia

Re: My little refractor on an old mount ! new

[Re: Kunama]
#5517327 - 11/13/12 06:34 AM Attachment (46 downloads)

To this: 37 lbs of brass and bronze hidden under a gazillion coats of various black paints gathered over 135 years!

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chboss
professor emeritus

Reged: 03/24/08

Loc: Tokyo Japan

Re: My little refractor on an old mount ! new

[Re: Kunama]
#5517401 - 11/13/12 08:06 AM

Wow you uncovered a real GEM under the layers of paint!

Do you plan to paint it or give it just a clear coat?
Would be a shame to hide the metal again.

best regards
Chris

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