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Well Rob if it's damaged it can still be used in your new irrigation system for watering your acreage if the climate drastically changes!! Mike

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Good idea...however, you need to think bigger.

I was thinking of using it as a *culvert* across the road.. to the lower 48....

Rob

--------------------
www.goldmtobservingcenter.com
A great place for amateur astronomers, and ATM's to come and enjoy their hobby.

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So open the darned box already!

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I will......I have several more patients till that unvailing.

You think it will be silvery......

JeffB will probably attest to its silveryness.....

I'll sneek away in a moment and take a peek.

Rob

--------------------
www.goldmtobservingcenter.com
A great place for amateur astronomers, and ATM's to come and enjoy their hobby.

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/HomemadeRefractorTelescopes/ My homemade refractor group.

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Might have to drill a little hole and use a dent puller. That's sure a bummer.

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Indeed...it's a bummer. Not sure I'm gonna drill any holes yet. Still planning my attack.

Rob

--------------------
www.goldmtobservingcenter.com
A great place for amateur astronomers, and ATM's to come and enjoy their hobby.

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If it is an Oil can type dent, don't use a hammer or drill any holes, use one of those suction cup dent pullers and it should come right out.

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I've used those type of pullers..they work good on thin walled door pannels...but pulling back .090 material will be a bit tougher. That's nearly 1/8" thick.

Tough stuff.

Rob

--------------------
www.goldmtobservingcenter.com
A great place for amateur astronomers, and ATM's to come and enjoy their hobby.

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Well if you're lucky it might just be hidden by your saddle on the bottom side! Mike

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Mike.....that was my first thought. Just hide it. But It would bother me to complete distraction.

No matter what I do that spot will still be blemished so it will probably live close by the saddle anyway.

Rob

--------------------
www.goldmtobservingcenter.com
A great place for amateur astronomers, and ATM's to come and enjoy their hobby.

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Boy, that's one huge pipe

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Yeah...I could lay my 6"f/15 down inside of it several times.

It hit home...how really big this scope is gonna be. Here is an image of it resting longways on my optical bench.

I'm so glad I have the Cave *Observatory Series* mount for it. It needs a HUGE mount for sure.

Rob

--------------------
www.goldmtobservingcenter.com
A great place for amateur astronomers, and ATM's to come and enjoy their hobby.

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Make yourself a wooden wedge-type dent "pusher", similar to what they use on shotgun barrels.
Hubert

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That will probably be the route I go. I might also use a scissor jack as well......

Rob

--------------------
www.goldmtobservingcenter.com
A great place for amateur astronomers, and ATM's to come and enjoy their hobby.

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I would use a jack to push out the dent from the inside. You may need to make a split ring with the jack inside and slide it down the tube to the dent.
That's quite a scope your building. I can't wait to see the mount.

Robert

---

I have a scissor jack I can place on a split ring of wood. resting on one half and pressing against the other.

Just a couple of turns of the jack screw and I should be able to push the dent back out. I'll need to be mindful that the base rests possitively against the lower half of the wood split ring...so I don't create a *pushout* on the other side.

This idea is probably the easiest and less prior preparedness intensive.

Rob

--------------------
www.goldmtobservingcenter.com
A great place for amateur astronomers, and ATM's to come and enjoy their hobby.

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In college I worked on restorting pipe organs and removing dents from pipes was a common practice. Some of the pipes I work on were over 20 feet long. The method that we used was to make up a couple of hardwood plugs that were tapered slightly. The first plug would be about 1/4" smaller in OD then ID of the pipe. It was drive down the pipe with 2" x 4". Many time we attached the plug to the end of the 2" x 4". The processes was repeated a couple of times, each time with a plug that was larger in diameter to finally one was used that had the same OD as the ID of the pipe. Many time when the processes was finished you could not tell that the pipe was ever damaged. Good Luck.

- Dave

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I have two methods I'm going to try. One is the scissor jack method with a wood split ring...and this method.

Jentle taps(sometimes harder then jentler), will push the plug against the dent and push it out. The problem is the dent is half way down the tube...that's about 7ft into the tube. It'll be fun no matter what I do.


Rob

--------------------
www.goldmtobservingcenter.com
A great place for amateur astronomers, and ATM's to come and enjoy their hobby.

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Hi,Rob
big tube
how many is the thick wall and weight of your tube?
you need a very high pier
you need a ladder to observing at horizon
Regards Marc

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Welcome. The tube wall thickness is .090. It weighs roughly 90lb (that's the shipping weight) and it will go on my Cave Observatory Series GEM and then onto a steel elevating pier. No ladders will be used. It will opperate in similar fasion to my hydraulic pier for my 6"f/15.

Rob

--------------------
www.goldmtobservingcenter.com
A great place for amateur astronomers, and ATM's to come and enjoy their hobby.

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Dry-ice.... That works

How in the world does that work?

Rob(in learning mode)

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So many creative suggestions from CN members. If you had gotten a larger objective, you could have sent one of the neighbors kids down the tube with a hammer

BTW, when do we get to see the objective?

---

I do have some pretty small neighbor kids.

The objective.....?

What's that..

That my friend is top secret.......It is in progress and I have no projected finish date at this time.

I've got a lot on my plate as it is. Not to mention having to *downsize* the office.....

Rob

--------------------
www.goldmtobservingcenter.com
A great place for amateur astronomers, and ATM's to come and enjoy their hobby.

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/HomemadeRefractorTelescopes/ My homemade refractor group.

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The objective.....?

What's that..

That my friend is top secret.......It is in progress and I have no projected finish date at this time.

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I don't know if that's gonna fly here Rob.

--------------------
Scott
www.backyardobservatories.com
www.m1oasys.com

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The objective.....?

What's that..

That my friend is top secret.......It is in progress and I have no projected finish date at this time.

---

I don't know if that's gonna fly here Rob.

---

I know...but what's a man supose to do when he doesn't have an answer......?

I could say.......*It's being addressed*....

This scope is not a production line scope....it is a HOBBY scope...and as you well know it could take years....light years...to finish.

I am working to make sure most other aspects of the tube/mounting/hardware/focuser are going to be ready the moment the objective is ready to place in it.

There is so much more to it then just the objective...for sure. I still have to get around to building the OB for it too.......

Since I have only a couple months into this project....I think its moving along smoothly.

Keep an eye on the other related threads so see *things* happen...

Rob(thanks for the support)

--------------------
www.goldmtobservingcenter.com
A great place for amateur astronomers, and ATM's to come and enjoy their hobby.

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Quote:

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The objective.....?

What's that..

That my friend is top secret.......It is in progress and I have no projected finish date at this time.

---

I don't know if that's gonna fly here Rob.

---

I know...but what's a man supose to do when he doesn't have an answer......?

I could say.......*It's being addressed*....

This scope is not a production line scope....it is a HOBBY scope...and as you well know it could take years....light years...to finish.

I am working to make sure most other aspects of the tube/mounting/hardware/focuser are going to be ready the moment the objective is ready to place in it.

There is so much more to it then just the objective...for sure. I still have to get around to building the OB for it too.......

Since I have only a couple months into this project....I think its moving along smoothly.

Keep an eye on the other related threads so see *things* happen...

Rob(thanks for the support)

---

After great deliberation....I just wanted to inform the CN audiance that I will be selling the 10"f/16....and its Cave GEM when it is completed.

Not sure of the price at this time...but I'm sure you good people can help put a reasonable number on it.

Thanks.

Rob

--------------------
www.goldmtobservingcenter.com
A great place for amateur astronomers, and ATM's to come and enjoy their hobby.

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/HomemadeRefractorTelescopes/ My homemade refractor group.

www.vimeo.com/6014031

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After great deliberation....I just wanted to inform the CN audiance that I will be selling the 10"f/16....and its Cave GEM when it is completed.

Not sure of the price at this time...but I'm sure you good people can help put a reasonable number on it.

Thanks.

Rob

---

The only question I can get in my mind: WHY?? After all the work and dedication?

--------------------
Russian 15x50 binos
Home made 8" f/5 Newton on eq mount
Home made 70mm f/6 (Rodenstock Rotelar lens) Apo refractor
www.astronomy.ro

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Quote:

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After great deliberation....I just wanted to inform the CN audiance that I will be selling the 10"f/16....and its Cave GEM when it is completed.

Not sure of the price at this time...but I'm sure you good people can help put a reasonable number on it.

Thanks.

Rob

---

The only question I can get in my mind: WHY?? After all the work and dedication?

---

A long time ago..in a land far far away..I told my Sweetheart that I would like to build scopes for sale...you know..as a means of retirement income...

Well... I didn't realize that that meant *THIS* scope as well. My wife sees it as a sourse of income...not just a *thing* to have around cuz it's cool.

Thing is... I enjoy building them...and that in part is the *thrill* I get...not just owning them.

I further realized I needed to keep to my word so I am willingly going to put it up for sale.

I hope someone will come forward who might wish to buy it and might put a deposit down on it so I can finish it in a more timely manner.

If this turns out to be the case...I might even paint it the color the person prefers. (EEGAD..I can't believe I said that ) it's true..though.

Any way that's the deal.

Rob

--------------------
www.goldmtobservingcenter.com
A great place for amateur astronomers, and ATM's to come and enjoy their hobby.

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/HomemadeRefractorTelescopes/ My homemade refractor group.

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Hey Rob....I'll cut to the chase here ahead of anyone else! What type of discount will you offer?? I had to ask it because sooner or later some chucklehead would eventually ask! Mike

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Well Mike....If a D&G 10"f/16 objective alone costs nearly 8.5K.....I'm thinking that the scope along with the GEM for atleast that much is a deal.

Rob

--------------------
www.goldmtobservingcenter.com
A great place for amateur astronomers, and ATM's to come and enjoy their hobby.

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/HomemadeRefractorTelescopes/ My homemade refractor group.

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Rob,

I hope we all get a chance to view through it before it goes.

Brad

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Oh..I'm sure I will...since I'm sure there are no long waiting lines for it.

I'll continue to build it and keep the phone lines open......for the big offer......Riiight.

I've never sold a big refractor for almost 10k...mount included.

Rob

--------------------
www.goldmtobservingcenter.com
A great place for amateur astronomers, and ATM's to come and enjoy their hobby.

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/HomemadeRefractorTelescopes/ My homemade refractor group.

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If you are on friendly terms with a panel beater , and the dry-ice (hyperchilling), or perhap liguid N2 might be better (if the dry-ice doesn't have enough pull in it), or the organ tube repair method doesn't work , then a panel beater will sort it no problem if he can access the dent from the tube end.

That's a whopper of a tube.

How heavy is the objective (10" of thick glass) will be pretty heavy I imagine) ?

Have you done your engineering calcs to ensure the tube will not bend enough to ruin the imaging of the telescope since the tube is so long and is so thin ?

---

Well....the tube has a wall thickness of .090 and it is unsuported only for 4.5 ft on either end so I believe this will be sufficient support. It's tough stuff actually.

I don't have the final weight of the objective/cell so I can't tell you.

I've worked on removing the dent with a scissor jack on a curved base/top. I have yet to actually remove the dent...but everything is in place. I want to finish cutting off the extra 1ft of unneeded material first...so access to the dent will be easier.

I have been distracted in making the tube rings and the counterbalancing system...sooo...I'll get to the tube soon.

Rob

--------------------
www.goldmtobservingcenter.com
A great place for amateur astronomers, and ATM's to come and enjoy their hobby.

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Hi Rob, So Sorry to hear that you will be selling this Beauty...but I fully understand after taking delivery of our 11" F15 that we finally donated to the George Observatory due in all to the size and of thinking of housing it!!!

As to removing the dent in the tube, kindly heat the dent to anneal it and soften it prior to ANY attempt to remove it, as it has hardened in the process or denting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Best Regards,

Preston in San Miguel, Mexico for the time being

---

Thanks Preston.....Yeah..My sweetheart is far more open to its build...knowing it will be sold. She knows I can build another...just like it if I wanted too...and she also knows I told her my initial aim was to build scopes that I could sell....So she called me on it.

As a hobby that requires ample hours of my time....time away from her...I needed to quickly do the math.

She openly accepts my hobby and all its trappings(shop,telescope garage, mirror making shop..etc..etc) So it is within my power to permit THAT hobby to *give* back.
She expects it...if I plan on giving it so much of my time and space.

Unlike the professional telescope builder..who can require a *down payment* to build you your scope...I have to probably wait till it's complete before anyone will remotely be interested.

Keeping such an instrument isn't a problem...nor is housing it in its own roll-off roof OB. Some day that is what I will do.

Rob(be safe in Mexico)

--------------------
www.goldmtobservingcenter.com
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Of course you'll need at least a couple years with the scope set up to properly evaluate it's performance before it could possible be sold

---

That's part of the selling process Scott.....

Glad to see you and I both understand that...

However......knowing the realities of things and also knowing how much *fudge* room I can build into this whole process.....My sweetheart will quickly recognize(through her superior intuition), that my *tests* are more likely manifestations of my *seporation* issues then anything else...


It will be a very sad day...a sad day indeed...when I have to look at the scope and tell the new owner...*yeah..take the stupid thing....just take it an leave*.....

Sometimes you just have to make yourself think that your sorrow is nothing more then anger............to get through it.

Oh well....it's just a telescope Oh my gosh....did I just say that....

Rob(I'm crossing over...I just know it)

--------------------
www.goldmtobservingcenter.com
A great place for amateur astronomers, and ATM's to come and enjoy their hobby.

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When the time comes and I have an extra 8 grand or so......

---

When you have the time and the horizen looks clear...we can make a trade.......

Me... a nice 18x18ft roll-off OB and you....ta..da..a brand spankin new 10"f/16 refractor with its GEM.

Not just any 10"f/16...but a cool..one of a kind...kind..

I intend to build another.....some day.

When you wake up....pinch me and wake me up too....K?

Rob(I don't think my sweetheart is thinkin trade.... ) But who knows.

--------------------
www.goldmtobservingcenter.com
A great place for amateur astronomers, and ATM's to come and enjoy their hobby.

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My worst fear when either selling or giving away a scope I've made is that it doesn't get used and sits somewhere dusty and sad.

Of course, I'd certainly expect that an instrument like this will end up in passionate hands, unless you market it to the "more wealth than sense" contingent, which seems to be shrinking day by day. - j

---

Poignant view Jay.

I never explained to my sweetheart any stipulations to either the sale or aquisition of the scope to another.

Independant reasons vary and once seporation is made....one has to find solace in the notion that the scope will find (If anything) a home...in good hands. And if not(hard to believe)...then what business is that of mine...

I tried to explain to the family this very understanding when we sold one of our Great Dane puppies last night.

It is difficult to attempt to reason out the *after effects* of the exchange. They got the dog..I got the payment. I can't offord to guess what life the dog will live...outside our influences.

Applying this same *grasp* to the telescope gives me comfort to some degree. The logistics have to work themselves out internally.

I'm currently focusing on finishing each aspect I directly have control over...and when it's all done and finished....then will I grapple with seporation issues.

Currently I doubt anyone will be interested in such an instrument given the current economic climate.

It's not an APO...it's a dog gone big Achro.

Rob(Lack of interest may mean I get to keep it...after all) Don't tell my sweety.

--------------------
www.goldmtobservingcenter.com
A great place for amateur astronomers, and ATM's to come and enjoy their hobby.

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When the time comes and I have an extra 8 grand or so......

---

When you have the time and the horizen looks clear...we can make a trade.......

Me... a nice 18x18ft roll-off OB and you....ta..da..a brand spankin new 10"f/16 refractor with its GEM.

Boy did Scott walk into that one!!

---

--------------------
7x35 and 10x50 sears tower binocs, 3" f/10 edmunds reflector, 2.4" f/11.7 manon refractor, 6" f/8 jaegers refractor, "The 8 Ball" 8" f/13.3 brandt refractor, 3" f/15.8 sans&streiffe refractor, 3.1" f/15 selsi refractor(towa 339), 2.4" f/15 sears refractor, selsi 30x30mm spyglass, criterion 5-draw 25x45x75x spyglass(1957), 4.25" f/14.8 tasco 20te.

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When the time comes and I have an extra 8 grand or so......

---

When you have the time and the horizen looks clear...we can make a trade.......

Me... a nice 18x18ft roll-off OB and you....ta..da..a brand spankin new 10"f/16 refractor with its GEM.

Boy did Scott walk into that one!!

---

---

Scott's smart...he knows I set him up for that about a month ago.

Being a business man myself...I understand the benefit of a quality exchange...or *trade* when I see one.

I trade dental work all the time for skills of other folks...when the trade is in the best interest of both parties.

As a matter of fact...I just traded some dental work for a very nice traditional indian canoe rudder/paddle. Hightly ornate and painted in Eagles and feathers, and made from maple.

It's a $1200 paddle. The patient was in need and the trade was mutual.

I understand a good trade. I have something you need and you have something I want. That's my understanding.

Sometimes it works in reverse...where I need something you have and you need somthing I have.

This is how I entered into an agreement with my cuz to build my 17" fork mounted newt.

$3000 worth of dental work for his wife sealed the deal.
I'm getting the shorter end of the stick but I need that scope....

Rob(sale..trade..or barter) It's all good.

--------------------
www.goldmtobservingcenter.com
A great place for amateur astronomers, and ATM's to come and enjoy their hobby.

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Oh jeeze, now there's dental care on the table too!

---

Depends on how uncomfortable you like to be....

Or if you like eating without teeth...

Rob(Poker face on)

--------------------
www.goldmtobservingcenter.com
A great place for amateur astronomers, and ATM's to come and enjoy their hobby.

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Or if you like eating without teeth...

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You mean drinking beer?

--------------------
Scott
www.backyardobservatories.com
www.m1oasys.com

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Rob(Lack of interest may mean I get to keep it...after all) Don't tell my sweety.

---

You can count on me to not say anything Rob.

--------------------
12" Lightbridge : SC 8" f4 : 12.5" f2.35 Astrograph : TAL RS 4" f10 : WO EZT : Atlas EQ6
35 & 22 Panoptic : 14 & 8.8 Meade UWA : 8 to 12 Speers Variable : Antares 1.6x Barlow

Kerry

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I think it will look awesome shinny with the light green accents.

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Al Nagler will certainly approve

--------------------
Jeff Morgan
Prescott, AZ
Wile E. Coyote School of Telescope Making

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Does Buck Rogers know you have stolen his spaceship?

Very impressive! :bowP

---

I'm naming the scope .....

NCC-1701 Enterprise...

Rob

--------------------
www.goldmtobservingcenter.com
A great place for amateur astronomers, and ATM's to come and enjoy their hobby.

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/HomemadeRefractorTelescopes/ My homemade refractor group.

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BTW Robby....Who told you I wanted the trim on my scope celery green?
I do like the idea of the polished aluminium though

---

Good.....but I'm BIT behing the curve ball here.........
Am I supose to be under the impression that you...my CN internet friend....that you are truely interested in saving your rubles and laying them down on the barrel head....for this telescope?

If so what color do you want the hardware painted.....?
And if so should we come to an agreement of some kind?

Or.......Are we just having some internet fun......

I could keep going ahead and you could just accept what I do..or add you ownership requests.

This is getting fun.....

Rob

--------------------
www.goldmtobservingcenter.com
A great place for amateur astronomers, and ATM's to come and enjoy their hobby.

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/HomemadeRefractorTelescopes/ My homemade refractor group.

www.vimeo.com/6014031

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Quote:

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BTW Robby....Who told you I wanted the trim on my scope celery green?
I do like the idea of the polished aluminium though

---

Good.....but I'm BIT behing the curve ball here.........
Am I supose to be under the impression that you...my CN internet friend....that you are truely interested in saving your rubles and laying them down on the barrel head....for this telescope?

If so what color do you want the hardware painted.....?
And if so should we come to an agreement of some kind?

Or.......Are we just having some internet fun......

I could keep going ahead and you could just accept what I do..or add you ownership requests.

This is getting fun.....

Rob

---

Much depends on how the account looks after your 2 years of star testing

Honestly my dream scope has been a 10 or 11" D&G but I'd have to build a 4th observatory because a 8" f/ 12 is the biggest I figure will fit in the 10' Ash.

--------------------
Scott
www.backyardobservatories.com
www.m1oasys.com

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Rob:

Just a suggestion...if you were to add 2 spring plungers to the finder holder, one
next to the retainer screw on the top rear, and one next to the top front screw, you could then use the 4 bottom screws to push the finder up against the plungers, adjusting the finder to align with the main scope. Once it is aligned, use the top screws to retain alignment. A quicker method would be to use the rubber band trick but the spring plungers would be a more permanent helper.

---

Interesting Steve....but I'm not getting my mind around that. Is it similar to the spring buttons found on Orion spotter mount rings?

Rob

--------------------
www.goldmtobservingcenter.com
A great place for amateur astronomers, and ATM's to come and enjoy their hobby.

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Quote:

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Quote:

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BTW Robby....Who told you I wanted the trim on my scope celery green?
I do like the idea of the polished aluminium though

---

Good.....but I'm BIT behing the curve ball here.........
Am I supose to be under the impression that you...my CN internet friend....that you are truely interested in saving your rubles and laying them down on the barrel head....for this telescope?

If so what color do you want the hardware painted.....?
And if so should we come to an agreement of some kind?

Or.......Are we just having some internet fun......

I could keep going ahead and you could just accept what I do..or add you ownership requests.

This is getting fun.....

Rob

---

Much depends on how the account looks after your 2 years of star testing

Honestly my dream scope has been a 10 or 11" D&G but I'd have to build a 4th observatory because a 8" f/ 12 is the biggest I figure will fit in the 10' Ash.

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Paint can cover a multitude of indecision......
We share the same Dream...however...I can't swing the 9k needed to acquire it. And that doesn't include cool custom spotter mounts......custom tube rings.....and an awesome internal electric focuser. I can...however..build it for just over 2.5K. with a savings that will jumpstart the build of the 18x18 OB needed for it.


I'll keep plugging away....and revealing the progress as I go....and we'll let that be the *stuff* that helps you along the decision trail......

I bet Berry doesn't provide a photo album of the construction of a customers D&G scope......

Rob

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www.goldmtobservingcenter.com
A great place for amateur astronomers, and ATM's to come and enjoy their hobby.

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/HomemadeRefractorTelescopes/ My homemade refractor group.

www.vimeo.com/6014031

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yes, exactly my point. Makes adjustment much faster and easier.

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I'll look into finding a source for them.....You don't have any suggestions do you?

Also...I was thinking..once the finders are set...they should always be aligned...I know this is the case on my 6"f/15 and with it's finders.

Thanks for the advice....it's simple and adds that *extra* nicety....

Rob

--------------------
www.goldmtobservingcenter.com
A great place for amateur astronomers, and ATM's to come and enjoy their hobby.

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/HomemadeRefractorTelescopes/ My homemade refractor group.

www.vimeo.com/6014031

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yes, exactly my point. Makes adjustment much faster and easier.

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I'll look into finding a source for them.....You don't have any suggestions do you?

Also...I was thinking..once the finders are set...they should always be aligned...I know this is the case on my 6"f/15 and with it's finders.

Thanks for the advice....it's simple and adds that *extra* nicety....

Rob

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After rereading my own post...I had to slap myself......

I ain't buying no spring loaded adjusting screws....I'm gonna make them.

I will tip each top secure knob/bolt with a spring and contact tip.....This is an easy job.

The only true issue is that the spotter scope is quite heavy(made of stainless steel)...so the spring contact will need to be quite sturdy.

Thanks for the NEW idea....

Rob

--------------------
www.goldmtobservingcenter.com
A great place for amateur astronomers, and ATM's to come and enjoy their hobby.

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/HomemadeRefractorTelescopes/ My homemade refractor group.

www.vimeo.com/6014031

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My, My how time flys Rob!! I've just came back from my trip in Switzerland after a week and a half and everything is changed over here .
The scope,aaa... I mean Enterprise , looks better and better. Superb color you got there for your spoter's support. It looks exactly like the one used by Zeiss on their instruments. How did you find it? Combined green with white or just found the color readily mixed?

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Yes indeed...the Zeiss at Griffith Park is this very color.(or close to it).

TAK's scopes are painted in a similar green.

I just found this color ar my local hardware store...it's called *Celery* Green.

I think it will look smashing up against the polished aluminum tube.

It will mimic the tube of my spotter which is polished stainless steel.

Next will be tracking down the 1.3" plate I'll need for the back plate and I'll get on that next.

Baffleing is next as well.

It's coming together....very slowly.

Gotta tackle some mount flexure issues as well...but that isn't going to be a problem.

Thanks for peeking in...glad you're back.

Rob

--------------------
www.goldmtobservingcenter.com
A great place for amateur astronomers, and ATM's to come and enjoy their hobby.

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/HomemadeRefractorTelescopes/ My homemade refractor group.

www.vimeo.com/6014031

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You know, after you finish it and you finally take a look through it and see what only a large refractor can show you - you might come to the realization that you could never sell it!

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I've wrestled with that realization already....but If I can sell this one...I can build another.....and so forth.

The trick will be replicating the electric focuser.....THAT will be a challenge.

My only concern is that I use common materials and reuse *STUFF* to build my scopes. They are unlike anything that is commercially built. To replicate my scope...a big scope company would have to charge astronomically.

I can get away with it...cuz I'm nobody... and I don't have employees to pay...and my scopes are what I *feel*..what I envision. That is why my spotter mounts are *sweeping* and spacey. Kinda mixing the bolted together antique look with a space age..Star Trek feal.

I feal a scope needs to encompass *style* as well as functionality. When you look at this finished scope....you're gonna tell yourself...*Man..I've never seen a scope like this before*....*So sleek...so futuristic*.

It will leave a lasting impression in your mind and heart.
That's my aim anyway. Who knows if I'll ever get there.

I can take the amount of time it will require to *Polish* the aluminum tube. It will all be done by hand...just like everything else.

This scope not only will be an extreme one of a kind..it is also a good test bed for fabricational technique....and scrounging skills....

Rob(thanks for commenting)

--------------------
www.goldmtobservingcenter.com
A great place for amateur astronomers, and ATM's to come and enjoy their hobby.

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/HomemadeRefractorTelescopes/ My homemade refractor group.

www.vimeo.com/6014031

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I can get away with it...cuz I'm nobody... .

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Rob, don't say that!
You are an artist like many other ATM men. Unlike the anssembly line like manufacturers, you create one of a kind wonders that are basically priceless. It's not just a brand name on a impersonal tube,fork mount whatever...it's you in every piece of your creations.

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Russian 15x50 binos
Home made 8" f/5 Newton on eq mount
Home made 70mm f/6 (Rodenstock Rotelar lens) Apo refractor
www.astronomy.ro

Edited by neo (03/05/09 01:56 PM)

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I can take the amount of time it will require to *Polish* the aluminum tube. It will all be done by hand...just like everything else.

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fabricational technique....and scrounging skills....

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I can get away with it...cuz I'm nobody... .

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Rob, don't say that!
You are an artist like many other ATM men. Unlike the anssembly line like manufacturers, you create one of a kind wonders that are basically priceless. It's not just a brand name on a impersonal tube,fork mount whatever...it's you in every piece of your creations.

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