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MikeS
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/06/04
Posts: 912
Loc: Quakertown Pennsylvania
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I'm looking for feedback on the Protostar BlackLite tube. How do you like it? I am considering it for use on an EQ mount, so I'm concerned with rigidity and strength when using tube rings. How does it's strength compare to aluminum or steel tubes? How well does it take paint?
If you are using one, can you throw in a pic?
Thanks!
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Mike Snisky
8" F5 Newtonian/Moonlite CR2
Orion Sirius EQ-G Mount
Orion 100mm F6 Achro on SVP w Intelliscope
Orion 100mm ED on LXD55 Mount
Denkmeier Standards
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HiggsBoson
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 02/21/07
Posts: 797
Loc: Kal-li-fornia
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I have used them, they meet my needs and I am very pleased with them. However, your application my be very different from mine. My scope is a 6” dual strut design which does not depend upon the strength of these tubes. I am not an experienced do-it-yourselfer and can not comment on how well they accept paint. I can say that they are painted. Photos are available in the ‘Member Galleries’ under my screen name.
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Michael
ATM: 6" F/9 Newtonian Travel Scope
ATM: 12.5" F/4.5 Real Soon Now...
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Chimaera
member
Reged: 09/09/07
Posts: 37
Loc: Toronto, Canada
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I use the 10in X 48in Blacklite tube for my 8in reflector. The tube is stiff, but light. I mount my on a GEM. No problems with tube rings. I was a little concerned about the effects of humidity and fluctuations in temperatures since I store my set-up in the garage. After all, it is cardboard. So far, collimation hardly ever goes out, so no signs of deformation. It is holding up well after a year and a half.
Good part is that the tube comes pre-flocked. That saves a lot of frustration trying to do it yourself. The tube material is very easy to work with - saws and drills like wood. I cannot comment how well it takes paint. I glued on a thin mahagany veneer on mine, then finished it with multiple coats of marine varnish.
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Jeff Morgan
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/28/03
Posts: 1512
Loc: Prescott, AZ
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IIRC, these tubes were supposed to be somewhat more rigid than equal size sonotube. However, if rigidity was a problem, you could always lay a layer of lightweight fiberglass cloth over it. It would add some weight, but also help weather seal it.
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Jeff Morgan
Prescott, AZ
Wile E. Coyote School of Telescope Making
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RRavneberg
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/02/05
Posts: 632
Loc: Columbus, OH
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I also know people who have used the tubes as liners for regular tubes. You may be able to find a close fit for another exterior tube as one friend of mine did for his classic Cave 10".
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Ron Ravneberg
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