PitchHitter
member
Reged: 09/23/09
Posts: 23
Loc: Southern Sierras
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Quote:
Glen -
I like the polish job on your tube. From what I have recently read on CN, aluminum acts better thermally if left un painted. I am going to try to polish the tube on the 4.5 inch refractor that I just made (photo attached). It is a Hastings tube, so polishing it might not be as easy, but I'll try.
How do you plan to protect the tube from finger prints and other corrosion?? clear coat it??
Good luck
Dick Parker
Hi Guys:
I introduced the tube cutting method at RTMC in 1973 when I displayed my in progess 11" f:2.8 SC. I like to use a roll of paper so I can get a couple of wraps or more and that helps define one edge to drag the hack saw blade along. After Xmas rolls of wrapping paper are also good for this as well as diagraming an optical and tube layout. I take the end of paper, fold it in half to mark the center with a crease. I then tape the crease onto the tube with the edge of the roll where I want to cut. It is absolutely important that the paper over laps so the edge can be determined square with the tube. If two wraps perfectly overlap then you can be very sure. I do similiar for squaring optics in a tube or mounting. I first posted this on line I believe in the astro-cafe forums maybe 15 years ago?
Now as for the aluminum tube. I sure love the polished aluminum look but it must be protected because it seems like the better it takes a polish the easier a handprint will stain. I always wound up priming and painting the tubes. I never had much luck with ordinary carnuba wax but there is an amazing aluminum polish sold through RV suppliers. Sorry I don't remember the name but Camperland should have it. There is another version for stainless steel and brass.
BUT! five seconds after someone touches the tube and for about five minutes afterwards there will be terrible tube currents and someone just being closs can do the same thing. I had to insulate my Newtonian because one could not help but get close to the tube. With the refractor you may not have to worry so much but it is worth remembering if you have problems. Best,
Rick
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About 20 telescopes from a 200mmAPO up
Fav is Meade 10" f:4.5 using my 3" 40mm 96°AFOV
BUT! In Progress:
14.5" f:5 grab n' go with DSCs will offer 2.4 degrees at 45 power and 8mm exit pupil (Light Bridge Buster)
16.25" f:7.5 to refigure
(20th wave ruined in a fire at the coaters)
22" f5: New mount almost done
(old all aluminum mount was stolen)
16" Varian Vapor Deposition Coater.
Looking for larger chamber.
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GlenM
Vendor
Reged: 05/20/07
Posts: 1734
Loc: Lancashire UK
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Well,the IStar 6" f/10 Achromat lens and cell arrived this morning.
It was VERY well packed.
A couple of dimensions:
Diameter rear of cell 168mm
Diameter collimation ring 190mm
Diameter front of cell 168mm
Width of cell 53mm
Weight of cell 5lb 9oz
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Glen
www.lyraoptic.co.uk
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GlenM
Vendor
Reged: 05/20/07
Posts: 1734
Loc: Lancashire UK
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Another
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Glen
www.lyraoptic.co.uk
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GlenM
Vendor
Reged: 05/20/07
Posts: 1734
Loc: Lancashire UK
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A couple of pics of the rear end,the OTA rear end that is.
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Glen
www.lyraoptic.co.uk
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GlenM
Vendor
Reged: 05/20/07
Posts: 1734
Loc: Lancashire UK
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Another quick one.
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Glen
www.lyraoptic.co.uk
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neo
professor emeritus
Reged: 02/12/08
Posts: 609
Loc: Iasi, Romania
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Good Lord  !!
That looks amazing! Simply astonishing!
It looks like it was made in a high tech lab.
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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
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GlenM
Vendor
Reged: 05/20/07
Posts: 1734
Loc: Lancashire UK
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Progress at last.
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Glen
www.lyraoptic.co.uk
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GlenM
Vendor
Reged: 05/20/07
Posts: 1734
Loc: Lancashire UK
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Cell and countercell.
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Glen
www.lyraoptic.co.uk
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GlenM
Vendor
Reged: 05/20/07
Posts: 1734
Loc: Lancashire UK
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As they say around here,tother end.
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Glen
www.lyraoptic.co.uk
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plyscope
sage
Reged: 11/23/06
Posts: 326
Loc: Perth, West Australia
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It looks like a very special telescope Glen, well done. You could sell a truckload if you went into production! Looking forward to first light report.
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Andy
6" f15 refractor
90mm f16.7 refractor
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jayscheuerle
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/16/06
Posts: 4065
Loc: S. Philadelphia, PA
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Gorgeous scope! I can imagine taking a long exposure picture of the scope itself with the Milky Way reflected in its surface...  - j
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Fight indignorance!
The Green Goblin - 12" of dobsonian excellence!
The PortaBowl-a $100 4.5" f/8 ball-scope YOU can build!
Eero2-a 6" f/5 ball-scope you probably can't. 
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polaraligned
sage
Reged: 12/26/08
Posts: 227
Loc: P. R. of New Jersey
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Looking very nice Glen.
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polaraligned
sage
Reged: 12/26/08
Posts: 227
Loc: P. R. of New Jersey
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Quote:
From what I have recently read on CN, aluminum acts better thermally if left un painted.
I am not sure polishing is going to help much on a refractor. See article here:
http://www.garyseronik.com/?q=node/55
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GlenM
Vendor
Reged: 05/20/07
Posts: 1734
Loc: Lancashire UK
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Don't say that now I've polished the monster 
Thank you for all your nice comments guys.
Clear Skies.
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Glen
www.lyraoptic.co.uk
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polaraligned
sage
Reged: 12/26/08
Posts: 227
Loc: P. R. of New Jersey
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Just think, if you have that thing anodized the polishing will make the finish a whole lot nicer. 
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GlenM
Vendor
Reged: 05/20/07
Posts: 1734
Loc: Lancashire UK
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What a terrible thing to say 
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Glen
www.lyraoptic.co.uk
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