dawsonian2000
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/26/06
Posts: 552
Loc: Riverview, FL, USA
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Now THAT'S an excellent baffling job! First rate job!  Congrats! Looks very professionally done. Though mine are positioned correctly inside of the tube, the internal aesthetics are no where near the look of yours! Simply awesome! Can you take an image a little further back with the baffles in focus? Another beautiful job, Brian!
As for my 127mm, I will start working on the tripod this weekend.
Mel
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Clear Skies, Forever!
The Vega Sky Center
10" (254mm) F/5.65 Home Built Fork Mounted Newtonian Reflector
5" (127mm) F/9.4 Home Built Refractor (under construction)
3.5" (90mm) F/11.1 "Vixen-Spec Modified" Konus Refractor
3.1" (80mm) F/6 Scopos ED APO Refractor
4.5" (114mm) F/8 Tasco 11te-5 Newtonian (under restoration)
2.4" (60mm) F/16.7 Tasco 7te-5 Refractor
2.4" (60mm) F/15 Jason Discoverer 313 Refractor
http://www.vega-sky-center.com
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Happy-Idiot
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/06/06
Posts: 2801
Loc: 3rd Rock
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Mel,
I also sanded the cell as well as the tube end...and sanded... and sanded. If you look at the beginning of my thread you will notice i changed most every decission at least twice.  including the color.
I mounted the cell and lens on the tube today, so far so good. I need to find something cylindrical that is the same diameter as my dewshield needs to be, so i can use it as a form for the Carbon Fiber dewshield.
As far as a finder is concerned i am burnt out, i tried to make a finder bracket that would adjust up/down left/right and it looks horrible. I will probably make some rings or even adapt some old Unitron 40mm rings and build a RA finder scope with CF.
Mel I am following your SS refractor build thread very closely, keep up the great work!
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Brian
A small scope that gets used often is a better investment than a big scope that stays in the closet.
Unitrons, you spend more time looking at them than you do through them.
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Happy-Idiot
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/06/06
Posts: 2801
Loc: 3rd Rock
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Quote:
Can you take an image a little further back with the baffles in focus?
Focus? My eyes don't focus anymore that is why i built a widefield, so i don't have to worry if the smudge in the sky is in focus. My eyes aren't what they used to be.
Still not the best picture but maybe this will be beter than the last.
I used paintable silicone and cleaned the excess up with a long straight edged stick.
Edited by Happy-Idiot (07/12/09 08:27 AM)
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Happy-Idiot
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/06/06
Posts: 2801
Loc: 3rd Rock
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Last night my Brother Inlaw showed up with some simple fountain fireworks, the kids had a blast. While i was seeing everyone out to their cars i looked up and saw the conditions were about a 7.5 out of 10, no dew, clear skies, no big chunk of cheese in the sky. So i decided to bring two scopes out, one was a MN56 that i ATM'd onto a dob mount, and the other was my new SS 127mm on a modified SCT Fork mount. I know i don't have a dewshield on the scope yet but it was dry out and i was dying to try this baby out.
It was late but since school is out i invited my 14 yr old son(who's middle name happens to be Orion) out with me. Having my son with me turned my 7.5 night into a 10 out of 10 night. We started off with one of my favorites the celestial TEA POT Sagittarius, and the Lagoon Neb. I was surprised that the SS127 beat the MN56 in contrast, the nebula seem brighter and the background darker i guess the baffles paid off or maybe its that the MN has a secondary obstruction. Same goes for the Omega and Trifid Nebulas both very contrasty and pleasing. I thought for sure that the MN56 would do better with M13 but i was wrong, using the same eyepieces i found SS127 was again brighter, maybe not more detail but brighter. The MN56 wasn't dead by no means, its views of Jupiter were nice, crisp, and clear with pinpoint moons, and as expected the SS127 was like most fast refractor with a significant amount of violet fringing. It had its fair share of CA on bright stars and showed a good share on the later rising moon.
Overall i am very happy with this scope, it is a inexpensive fast large aperture refractor that was not only fun to build but is fun to cruise the Milky Way. It gives nice bright contrast views of large nebulas and incredible views of open clusters with a definite WOW factor. If you get the opportunity to purchase one of these SS lens do yourself a favor and grab it. I will post a few pictures of the finished scope when the dewshield is complete. At the rate i work it will probably be around 2011. 
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Brian
A small scope that gets used often is a better investment than a big scope that stays in the closet.
Unitrons, you spend more time looking at them than you do through them.
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dawsonian2000
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/26/06
Posts: 552
Loc: Riverview, FL, USA
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Hey Brian,
Now that is an awesome baffle job! Congratz!
Mel
--------------------
Clear Skies, Forever!
The Vega Sky Center
10" (254mm) F/5.65 Home Built Fork Mounted Newtonian Reflector
5" (127mm) F/9.4 Home Built Refractor (under construction)
3.5" (90mm) F/11.1 "Vixen-Spec Modified" Konus Refractor
3.1" (80mm) F/6 Scopos ED APO Refractor
4.5" (114mm) F/8 Tasco 11te-5 Newtonian (under restoration)
2.4" (60mm) F/16.7 Tasco 7te-5 Refractor
2.4" (60mm) F/15 Jason Discoverer 313 Refractor
http://www.vega-sky-center.com
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dawsonian2000
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/26/06
Posts: 552
Loc: Riverview, FL, USA
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Hi Brian,
Thanks for the report on the SS127. Isn't it great to have your kids out to share in all that Heavenly Glory! I love it when they take part and ask thoughtful questions.
I am very happy to know that the SS127 is a great performer. Especially against the MN56!I would love to have the shorter version of the SS127 to go with mine. It should make a nice light bucket for DSO imaging. As for the better constrast you experienced, I have noticed that refractors seem to edge reflectors of comparable size. I guess it can be contributed to the closed optical system and less reflective surfaces as compared to the MN56.
Congratulations, on building a great instrument! 
Mel
--------------------
Clear Skies, Forever!
The Vega Sky Center
10" (254mm) F/5.65 Home Built Fork Mounted Newtonian Reflector
5" (127mm) F/9.4 Home Built Refractor (under construction)
3.5" (90mm) F/11.1 "Vixen-Spec Modified" Konus Refractor
3.1" (80mm) F/6 Scopos ED APO Refractor
4.5" (114mm) F/8 Tasco 11te-5 Newtonian (under restoration)
2.4" (60mm) F/16.7 Tasco 7te-5 Refractor
2.4" (60mm) F/15 Jason Discoverer 313 Refractor
http://www.vega-sky-center.com
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astrodan13
member
Reged: 12/03/08
Posts: 19
Loc: Suffolk County, Long Island, N...
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Hey brian! Nice job!I can't wait to come by one night and have a look through it. Wish I had the time and patience to try making one. It has to be very rewarding to look through something you've made. Take care and keep up the good work! Dan.
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Happy-Idiot
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/06/06
Posts: 2801
Loc: 3rd Rock
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Thank you Dan. One of these nights we will have to meet up and you can see the ATM.
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Brian
A small scope that gets used often is a better investment than a big scope that stays in the closet.
Unitrons, you spend more time looking at them than you do through them.
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droid
rocketman
Reged: 08/29/04
Posts: 4030
Loc: ohio
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 well..........come on we need to see the completed scope.......pictures people pictures...... 
Sorry could resist.........wow tis thread got past me.
Brian you are head and shoulders above me when it comes ot wood working.
I will add one note though...and Im sure your aware of it, but...when working with epoxy , please take all precautions, gloves mask , lots and lots of ventilation.
I say this because when I firt started building high power rockets, in an effort to complete them in time for launches I would sometimes work in my hobby room indoors.
Ive since developed a rather nasty allergic reaction to epoxy.
ok back to the photos...oh and bye theway I f you ever tire of the 127,, send it my way
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102mm Celestron C102HD
Tasco 7TE5 60mm Classic
Tasco 9TE5 60mm Classic
Celestron Ultima 2000 SCT
Remains of an 8 inch dob
Celestron Comet catcher(orange tube)
1960 Edscorp Space Conquerer 6inch f/8
10x50 Bushnell Binoculars.
11T 4.5 inch Tasco reflector Lunograsso?
60mm Telescope Club
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mikey cee
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/18/07
Posts: 3508
Loc: bellevue ne.
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Patience my man after all this is a "fasty"! 
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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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swcrawford
member
Reged: 06/15/08
Posts: 31
Loc: Western Tennessee, USA
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Brian,
First let me say that I am truly impressed with your workmanship. Your carbon fiber work is really nice. I have to say that carbon fiber and wood laminated together look very cool. Maybe one day I'll give it a try.
I just received an email from Surplus Shed that this lens is back in stock and immediately ordered one (got to be quick with these). I would very much like to duplicate your success so I have some questions.
First, I understand that you bought an aluminum tube with a 5" outside diameter from a local supplier. Was this an irrigation sort of company or just a general metal supplier? What was the wall thickness? Also, I read that you had to sand the inside of the objective cell to fit the tube. What method did you use to do this? How did you maintain an even thickness on the wall of the plastic cell, or did you worry very much about sanding too much off one side or the other?
I know that you used the 'scope on a stick' method to figure the length of the tube with various eyepieces and a diagonal. What tube length did you decide on for this scope? Were you planning to use this scope visually only or possibly for astrophotography?
What model Antares focuser did you use? You mentioned that you were planning to trim the focuser tube slightly. Did you do this, or did you find it acceptable without trimming? I think you used a single speed focuser. Was this acceptable for your purposes or would you use a dual speed focuser if you were doing it over again?
Thanks for giving us such a detailed look at your build process. I hope to use your experience in my own build.
Best Regards,
SC
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10" LX200 EMC
ST-80
Atlas EQ-G mount
ETX125PE
Canon EOS Digital Rebel 300D [unmodified]
Phillips SPC900NC [unmodified]
Meade DSI 2 color
Homebuilt Portable Power Supply
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Happy-Idiot
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/06/06
Posts: 2801
Loc: 3rd Rock
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Quote:
Brian,
First let me say that I am truly impressed with your workmanship. Your carbon fiber work is really nice. I have to say that carbon fiber and wood laminated together look very cool. Maybe one day I'll give it a try.
Thank you SC i hope you decide to give it a go, if you look at my start date and today's date you will notice i am a slow worker. I have been very busy so it is a treat for me when i do find the time to pick the scope up and start working on it. I still need to get going on the dewshield.
Quote:
I just received an email from Surplus Shed that this lens is back in stock and immediately ordered one (got to be quick with these). I would very much like to duplicate your success so I have some questions.
Good thinking make sure to get your order in they have been on back order for awhile.
Quote:
First, I understand that you bought an aluminum tube with a 5" outside diameter from a local supplier. Was this an irrigation sort of company or just a general metal supplier? What was the wall thickness?
It was actually from a local welder friend but i didn't want to make it a complicated story so i said local supplier. Mine is 1/8" thickness. I think alittle thinner would be better if you are concerned with weight(the weight limit on your mount). I have dealt with these guys in the past with good success.
Quote:
Also, I read that you had to sand the inside of the objective cell to fit the tube. What method did you use to do this? How did you maintain an even thickness on the wall of the plastic cell, or did you worry very much about sanding too much off one side or the other?
The sanding was so tiny i shouldn't even have had mentioned it(it just took forever). Most of the sanding was on the outside of the tube and i used a long sheet of fine grit sandpaper by itself like polishing your shoes with a cloth. I just keep turning the tube 1/8th turns so it was evenly sanded. Very primitive but for the small amount i took off it was sufficient. When i was close i found if i put the tube in the freezer and heated the cell with a hair drier and put them together it slipped on perfectly. But i don't recommend this method because the cell is only plastic and could crack when the tube warms up to its correct size at room temperature.
Quote:
I know that you used the 'scope on a stick' method to figure the length of the tube with various eyepieces and a diagonal. What tube length did you decide on for this scope? Were you planning to use this scope visually only or possibly for astrophotography?
Only visually due to the CA, i may give it a try with AP but i don't expect the greatest quality images, beside i am a hack when it comes to AP anyway. 
Quote:
What model Antares focuser did you use? You mentioned that you were planning to trim the focuser tube slightly. Did you do this, or did you find it acceptable without trimming? I think you used a single speed focuser. Was this acceptable for your purposes or would you use a dual speed focuser if you were doing it over again?
The basic GSO focuser that Agena and Scopestuff sells. I guess a dual speed would be nice for such a fast scope to really fine tune the stars to pinpoints but the knobs on these GSO focusers are so large that i don't find the need for a dual speed. Besides i wanted to build this scope on the cheap side because even though this is a fun scope scope it is still limited in use. Please don't get me wrong i have no regrets with this scope but it is no Takahashi.  No i didn't trim the drawtube yet, but i didn't have time to give it the once over either. I still need to take it out on a good night and tweak the collimation and see if there is any vignetting.
Quote:
Thanks for giving us such a detailed look at your build process. I hope to use your experience in my own build.
Best Regards,
SC
I have had a boat load of fun with this build and i will continue having a great time using this scope. As long as you don't expect apo views you will be satisfied as well. I hope you have as much fun as i have had. I posted this so others could use some of my ideas or even learn from my mistakes and who knows maybe some of my work will spark an new idea or brainstorm into something extraordinary. BTW thanks for the kind words.
--------------------
Brian
A small scope that gets used often is a better investment than a big scope that stays in the closet.
Unitrons, you spend more time looking at them than you do through them.
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Mike Lynch
member
Reged: 04/07/06
Posts: 52
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Brian,
I'm considering mounting my SS 127mm f/5.5 in an aluminum tube from Hastings Irrigation. (PVC hasn't worked as well as I had hoped.)
May I ask the thickness of your tube? I presume the OD is exactly 5"....?
What length did you determine is optimal? I've measured about 15.75 inches.
Thanks,
Mike Lynch
Frankfort KY USA
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Mike Lynch
member
Reged: 04/07/06
Posts: 52
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Hmmmmm... If I'd looked at the last post in this thread, I'd have seen the answers for at least TWO of my questions. Time to WAKE UP!! 
Mike Lynch
Frankfort KY USA
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dawsonian2000
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/26/06
Posts: 552
Loc: Riverview, FL, USA
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Hey Mike,
If I may jump in here, I purchased a Hastings tube for my 127mm f/9.4. The O.D. is exactly 5" and and the wall thickness I chose was the .078". The only issue I had to deal with was that the interior of the objective cell had to be sanded to be able to slide over the tubing up to the tube stop. It took a bit of time, but it worked out just fine. I got the idea from Allan Overcast.
I completed my f/9.4 some time ago and I am still working (slowly) on completing the tripod.
Hope this info helps.
Mel
--------------------
Clear Skies, Forever!
The Vega Sky Center
10" (254mm) F/5.65 Home Built Fork Mounted Newtonian Reflector
5" (127mm) F/9.4 Home Built Refractor (under construction)
3.5" (90mm) F/11.1 "Vixen-Spec Modified" Konus Refractor
3.1" (80mm) F/6 Scopos ED APO Refractor
4.5" (114mm) F/8 Tasco 11te-5 Newtonian (under restoration)
2.4" (60mm) F/16.7 Tasco 7te-5 Refractor
2.4" (60mm) F/15 Jason Discoverer 313 Refractor
http://www.vega-sky-center.com
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Mike Lynch
member
Reged: 04/07/06
Posts: 52
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Mel,
Thanks! I did notice from a few messages back that a 5" OD aluminum tube and/or the inside of the cell needs some sanding. I'll keep this in mind and be ready to patiently sand one or the other off a bit... probably the tube.
Mike Lynch
Frankfort KY USA
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Happy-Idiot
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/06/06
Posts: 2801
Loc: 3rd Rock
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Hello Mike, i had some sanding to do as well, it was time consuming but there is a reward at the end. ....Big biceps.
As far as the tube length you need to figure what focuser you are using, i used a Antares and it might be different if you are using another brand. Best bet is to make a refractor on a stick method and you can't go wrong.
--------------------
Brian
A small scope that gets used often is a better investment than a big scope that stays in the closet.
Unitrons, you spend more time looking at them than you do through them.
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dawsonian2000
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/26/06
Posts: 552
Loc: Riverview, FL, USA
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My pleasure! As Brian mentioned, be prepared for the benefit of bigger biceps.
Hey! Don't forget to checkout Brian's CD Knife-Edge Baffles! I used his concept in my OTA and they are awesome!
Mel
--------------------
Clear Skies, Forever!
The Vega Sky Center
10" (254mm) F/5.65 Home Built Fork Mounted Newtonian Reflector
5" (127mm) F/9.4 Home Built Refractor (under construction)
3.5" (90mm) F/11.1 "Vixen-Spec Modified" Konus Refractor
3.1" (80mm) F/6 Scopos ED APO Refractor
4.5" (114mm) F/8 Tasco 11te-5 Newtonian (under restoration)
2.4" (60mm) F/16.7 Tasco 7te-5 Refractor
2.4" (60mm) F/15 Jason Discoverer 313 Refractor
http://www.vega-sky-center.com
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Happy-Idiot
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/06/06
Posts: 2801
Loc: 3rd Rock
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An update.. I am having a blast with this scope, i notice a little softness at the edge which doesn't;t bother me because it is slight. The wide field views are astounding, stars are crisp, contrast is not bad at all. Perfect example last night even with so so conditions i picked out part of the veil nebula using a Meade 32mm SWA. I screwed in a OIII filter and BAM! one of the arc just popped in no problem giving me one of the best views of the veil i have ever had, and WITH A REFRACTOR NO LESS!
The double cluster is to die for with this big guy, Pleiades is another incredible view. I saw a hint of pink/purple color on the Great Orion Nebula, i know some people see green i see pink. Many also say you need a 10" newt to see any color from the GON but i think they are mistaken. The crab was like picking a strawberry out of a bowl of cheerios with its wide field contrastive views and big light grasp. I couldn't keep the scope off of Andromeda. Maybe it was from using small 60mm scopes for the past two years but it felt like i was discovering these simple DSO's all over again.
I have been dragging my feet finishing the dewshield, but the weird thing is out of the three scopes i had set up last night the 127SS was the only one that didn't fog up???? It had the biggest glass and was the only one with no dewshield??? I thought it would have been the first to fog. 
Still no finder either. 
--------------------
Brian
A small scope that gets used often is a better investment than a big scope that stays in the closet.
Unitrons, you spend more time looking at them than you do through them.
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dawsonian2000
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/26/06
Posts: 552
Loc: Riverview, FL, USA
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Hey Brian!
What an amazing report on your 127mm! You should be very proud of the ingenuity and efforts you put into building such a fine performing telescope. Now you have got me wishing I had mine ready. I can't wait to see how my scope will perform. The Double Cluster is one of my favorites. In my 90mm f/11, it knocks me out. So you got me thirsting to push a bit harder to get my 127mm up and operational. Sounds like I am in for a new awakening when I get the opportunity to see the Double Cluster through it.
What eyepieces did you use during your observations? Are you planning to do any imaging with your scope?
Thanks again for sharing your observation notes. Please consider recording them so you can reflect back on them in the future. They indeed make for some real happy memories.
Mel
--------------------
Clear Skies, Forever!
The Vega Sky Center
10" (254mm) F/5.65 Home Built Fork Mounted Newtonian Reflector
5" (127mm) F/9.4 Home Built Refractor (under construction)
3.5" (90mm) F/11.1 "Vixen-Spec Modified" Konus Refractor
3.1" (80mm) F/6 Scopos ED APO Refractor
4.5" (114mm) F/8 Tasco 11te-5 Newtonian (under restoration)
2.4" (60mm) F/16.7 Tasco 7te-5 Refractor
2.4" (60mm) F/15 Jason Discoverer 313 Refractor
http://www.vega-sky-center.com
|
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