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tfriebe
newbie
Reged: 08/04/08
Posts: 3
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Hi,
I hope this is the right place for this question. My sons and I are trying to build a 3" refractor (objective lens from surplus shed) and are trying to locate a local source (Ann Arbor, MI) for black ABS pipe. None of the hardware stores carry it. Any suggestions?
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perfessor
sage
Reged: 12/30/07
Posts: 321
Loc: Northern Illinois
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Try a plumbing supply store, or call a plumbing contractor. Or, google "abs pipe", you'll get a few thousand hits.
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Tom
"Don't always know what I'm talkin about"
8" f/7
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perfessor
sage
Reged: 12/30/07
Posts: 321
Loc: Northern Illinois
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Oh, and welcome to Cloudy Nights! Take pictures of your project, and show it off.
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Tom
"Don't always know what I'm talkin about"
8" f/7
Edited by perfessor (08/30/08 09:38 AM)
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randtek
professor emeritus
Reged: 06/18/05
Posts: 694
Loc: Central Indiana
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This is not only the right place, it's the BEST place for advice on telescope making you will find!
You can get 3" and 4" ABS pipe at Lowe's in Ann Arbor in the plumbing dept. which objective did you get? If you are going to use the lens cell that came with the lens, you will need to base your selection on the size of the mounting flange of the lens cell. I am working on a 4" with a Surplus Shed objective. (You can see my 4" here if you want) I ended up using 4" stovepipe for mine, to fit the lens cell like I wanted. Measure your lens cell, then go browse the plumbing and heating sections of your Lowe's store. You will find something!
Are you planning on installing baffles? It is strongly recommended in refractors.
Welcome to Cloudy Nights. You will find all the help you need to make your scope right here!
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Randy
"The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable man persists in trying to adapt the world to himself.
Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man."
George Bernard Shaw
SkyQuest XT10
Homebuilt Surplus Shed 102mm f8.8 refractor (still under construction-OTA done, mount in work)
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tfriebe
newbie
Reged: 08/04/08
Posts: 3
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Thanks for the warm welcome! I will try the local Lowes for the ABS pipe and fittings. I purchased the 70mm/800mm fl objective from Surplus Shed as well as the 26mm super plossl eyepiece set which brings me to my next problem. The lenses are 38mm in diameter so I don't think the empty film canister trick will work to mount them. Any suggestions? Also, I am planning to build a tripod mount from crutches (based on plans I found). How sturdy is it and is there something better/easier? I am just looking for something functional the first time around. Thanks!
Tim
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Glenhuon
member
Reged: 10/01/07
Posts: 55
Loc: New South Wales, Australia
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I made the 80 x 400 SS scope and found the ID of standard light weight white pvc pipe was just right for mounting the lens cell. ABS may be a bit thick in the walls as it seems the difference between pressure grades is done by reducing the ID to give more meat in the walls. Just spray the inside black and the outside any colour you like. Wash the inside and outside with pvc cleaner to remove any mould release before painting or it won't stick too well.
Edited by Glenhuon (09/07/08 06:32 AM)
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nighty
sage
Reged: 12/31/06
Posts: 314
Loc: 75w39n
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welcome
The fittings and focuser for the EP or diagonal can be fashioned from plumbing parts and fuzzy velcro. The last piece before the diagonal is a compression fitting and the tube it is connected to rides on velcro mounted inside the larger tube.
CS Terry
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Stuff to look at stars and things
Scopes For Kids Project
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