Telescope Reviews: Surplus Shed 127mm cell/tube kits :Group purchase

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Equipment Discussions >> ATM, Optics and DIY Forum

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Pinbout
Post Laureate

Reged: 02/22/10

Loc: Montclair

Re: Surplus Shed 127mm cell/tube kits :Group purchase new

[Re: 100MPG]
#4367837 - 02/06/11 03:30 PM

Quote:

Would this be a good first ATM project to waste my money on?

NO!

You won't waste your money unless to give up.

Post Extras:

ch2co
sage

Reged: 07/28/09

Loc: Rocky Mountain High USA

Re: Surplus Shed 127mm cell/tube kits :Group purchase new

[Re: Pinbout]
#4367984 - 02/06/11 04:33 PM

There seems to be two threads going on regarding these lenses, I just bumped the other one up to get it closer to this one. Both threads are current and useful info. And no, 100MPG, this would definitely not be a waste of money for a first ATM scope. Be sure to visit both posts for info.

Post Extras:

ch2co
sage

Reged: 07/28/09

Loc: Rocky Mountain High USA

Re: Surplus Shed 127mm cell/tube kits :Group purchase new

[Re: Gordon Rayner]
#4370221 - 02/07/11 04:03 PM

Gordon Rayner wrote,
"One problem is mechanisms to adjust at least one of the objective to focal plane distances , such that both focal planes lie in the same plane. Shims can do that ,but that is inelegant,slow, and sealing, if desired, should be considered. An adjustable threaded cell is a better way. Are there other methods? Squeezable Belleville or spring washers, for very small mismatch correction? "
____________________________________________________________

Gordon
Thanks for the suggestions. This is one reason that I'm hoping that this group-buy for adjustable lens cells comes to fruition. Cary can you hear us? Please?, Please? Pretty Please with sugar on it? Would perhaps a nice bottle of Scotch help? ANYTHING....

Thank you for listening.

Chuck H. aka the Grumpy Gator

Post Extras:

ch2co
sage

Reged: 07/28/09

Loc: Rocky Mountain High USA

Re: Surplus Shed 127mm cell/tube kits :Group purchase new

[Re: ch2co]
#4385868 - 02/14/11 01:30 PM

Dear fellow Surplus shed 127mm purchasers.

I've only been a follower of this thread for a few months now, and after looking back at the earlier posts, I am coming to the conclusion that my hope for Cary's collimatable lens cell machining isn't very well founded.

In light of this, can anyone suggest a machinist who is familiar with and could make, collimatable lens cells for these lenses at a reasonable price? For the price that I was quoted locally, I could buy my own lathe and do it myself.

Also any good, better or best designs for collimatable lens cells? Can anyone else help get this show on the road?
Thanks in advance. Sorry Cary, but my projects are going to have to go on...

unless...?

Temporarily disgruntled.
the Grumpy Gator

Post Extras:

dan_h
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 12/10/07

Re: Surplus Shed 127mm cell/tube kits :Group purchase new

[Re: ch2co]
#4386047 - 02/14/11 02:58 PM

Have you considered two collars secured to each other with push-pull screws? The existing lens cell fits into one collar, the tube into the other. It is probably the least expensive way to incorporate a collimatable assembly with a minimum of machining.

dan

Post Extras:

Tom McDonald
sage

Reged: 12/19/06

Loc: No where man!

Re: Surplus Shed 127mm cell/tube kits :Group purchase new

[Re: ch2co]
#4386478 - 02/14/11 06:14 PM

I contacted a machinist about possibly making some collimatable cells. He said he could do it, but quoted me $180.00 per unit for 15 cells.
What does everyone want to do with this? Go with it, or wait?

Tom

Post Extras:

pbunn
super member

Reged: 09/29/10

Loc: SC, USA

Re: Surplus Shed 127mm cell/tube kits :Group purchase new

[Re: Tom McDonald]
#4386524 - 02/14/11 06:41 PM

I'll go with that.

Post Extras:

Tak North
sage

Reged: 11/28/07

Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

Re: Surplus Shed 127mm cell/tube kits :Group purchase new

[Re: Tom McDonald]
#4386709 - 02/14/11 08:24 PM

Quote:

but quoted me $180.00 per unit

Yikes!

I just received a 127mm f/5.5 last week, and I'm getting ready to start on a build soon. I was wondering if it might be worth my time to crank out a few extra cells while I'm at it. Looks like the answer might be yes!

Post Extras:

Tom McDonald
sage

Reged: 12/19/06

Loc: No where man!

Re: Surplus Shed 127mm cell/tube kits :Group purchase new

[Re: pbunn]
#4386726 - 02/14/11 08:30 PM

I'm tempted to go with it also.
It'll set me back $360.00. (I need two cells).
Cary was giving us more (baffles,focuser adapters) for about the same price. Maybe he realized that was unrealistic???

Anyway, I have nothing but Thanks to David Pitre for building interest in this project! I know for a fact he tried to get the ball rolling. He went above and beyond!
Thank you David!

Tom

Post Extras:

Tom McDonald
sage

Reged: 12/19/06

Loc: No where man!

Re: Surplus Shed 127mm cell/tube kits :Group purchase new

[Re: Tak North]
#4386739 - 02/14/11 08:35 PM

Tak! May I call you by your first name/

Are you a machinist? Or an amateur capable of making these cells? What would you be charging for these? I'm interested!! I need two!

Tom

Post Extras:

Tak North
sage

Reged: 11/28/07

Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

Re: Surplus Shed 127mm cell/tube kits :Group purchase new

[Re: Tom McDonald]
#4386756 - 02/14/11 08:43 PM

I don't want to hijack someone ele's thread. Send me a PM and let's discuss...

Post Extras:

pbunn
super member

Reged: 09/29/10

Loc: SC, USA

Re: Surplus Shed 127mm cell/tube kits :Group purchase new

[Re: Tak North]
#4387674 - 02/15/11 09:47 AM

If you decide to get something going - please include me.

Thanks

Pat Bunn

Post Extras:

ch2co
sage

Reged: 07/28/09

Loc: Rocky Mountain High USA

Re: Surplus Shed 127mm cell/tube kits :Group purchase new

[Re: pbunn]
#4388089 - 02/15/11 01:14 PM

PM's sent to Tak North and davidpitre

Post Extras:

davidpitre
Post Laureate

Reged: 05/10/05

Loc: Central Texas

Re: Surplus Shed 127mm cell/tube kits :Group purchase new

[Re: ch2co]
#4388538 - 02/15/11 05:03 PM

I talked to Cary a week ago. I wish I could even say same story, but I was told " they will get done when they get done". He seemed miffed that I was bothering him.
Yes. I have gotten a lot of frustrated e-mails. I wish there was something I could do.
The difference from Cary's price and this other guy is that Cary has a CNC machine. It makes it much easier and cheaper.
Anyone know someone with refractor cell experience and a CNC lathe ? Moonlite can make the tube/focuser adapters.

Post Extras:

Wave Vector
sage

Reged: 04/01/06

Re: Surplus Shed 127mm cell/tube kits :Group purchase new

[Re: davidpitre]
#4388687 - 02/15/11 06:07 PM

This can't possibly be the same fellow who ran Woden optics

Post Extras:

Tom McDonald
sage

Reged: 12/19/06

Loc: No where man!

Re: Surplus Shed 127mm cell/tube kits :Group purchase new

[Re: davidpitre]
#4388698 - 02/15/11 06:11 PM

I can't add anything to this post other than to say Thank You David!
You've done all you could, and I for one appreciate it! I had hoped Cary would have come through for us, but I think he got in over his head.

Thanks again,

Tom

Post Extras:

rboe

Reged: 03/16/02

Loc: Phx, AZ

Re: Surplus Shed 127mm cell/tube kits :Group purchase new

[Re: ch2co]
#4388975 - 02/15/11 08:33 PM

Tak, feel free to "hijack". This is now the general purpose Group Buy so if you are willing to step and fill the void (be careful what you sign up for!).

We are looking for someone to take up the project for us and would be very keen on seeing what you can do, and are willing to do. We certainly don't want to pressure you into a project that you find too big to do.

Post Extras:

davidpitre
Post Laureate

Reged: 05/10/05

Loc: Central Texas

Re: Surplus Shed 127mm cell/tube kits :Group purchase new

[Re: rboe]
#4391585 - 02/16/11 09:48 PM

So Machinist John Savelle has said he could do cells for $180. if there were 15 or so people interested. You can e-mail him at : jonsavelle@yahoo.com
Moonlite can make a flange for their focuser to fit your tubing . It appears the focuser/flange package is $275., but don't quote me on that.

Post Extras:

SilentLight
super member

Reged: 11/29/08

Loc: Los Angeles, CA

Re: Surplus Shed 127mm cell/tube kits :Group purchase new

[Re: davidpitre]
#4391880 - 02/17/11 01:59 AM

Have you guys tried Dan at Crawford Machines? He made a nice scope for me out of a Carton objective.

Post Extras:

davidpitre
Post Laureate

Reged: 05/10/05

Loc: Central Texas

Re: Surplus Shed 127mm cell/tube kits :Group purchase new

[Re: SilentLight]
#4392217 - 02/17/11 09:30 AM

Crawford Machines makes a very nice 2" Refractor Focuser that includes a custom flange to fit our particular tubing for just $150. for the single speed, $180. for the dual speed. This is $100. less than the Moonlite.
I am talking to him to get a bid for the cells. He has a CNC machine.

Post Extras:

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