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Project: Skylight F15m (mini): launching at NEAF!

Started by ukcanuck , Jan 16 2011 01:21 PM

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137 replies to this topic

#76 ukcanuck

Vendor (Skylight Telescopes)

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Posted 24 February 2011 - 05:23 PM

So it's probably no surprise when you see this clue (hint; trademark Carton/Japan Blue) as to which lens I have chosen to use in my F15m:

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#77 Wes James

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Posted 24 February 2011 - 05:54 PM

Looks great, Richard!!
Wes

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#78 Doug76

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Posted 24 February 2011 - 07:12 PM

Indeed it does, and an excellent lens choice.

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#79 Doug76

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Posted 24 February 2011 - 07:13 PM

The lens on my new F13 is the wonderful Carton lens...I'm quite familiar with Cartons' work:

Sweet!

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#80 ukcanuck

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Posted 09 March 2011 - 04:06 PM

Ok, I've had some hiccups trying to get metal stock, but I believe I'm now over that, and expect the main batch of stock to arrive this week.

Regarding tube diameter, I have decided to use a larger OTA tube than I was originally planning. While not the 3" OD that was mentioned earlier on, the 2.75" tube should allow for creative hands to mount a larger focuser onto it should they so desire. I will be installing a 1.25" focuser as standard equipment, but more on that coming soon.

While not as skinny as I had originally envisioned, this slightly wider tube will still have nice elegant proportions.

Also, I cut the first set of finderscope bracket rings today (although they're not drilled or mounted yet)... :cool:

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#81 ukcanuck

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Posted 19 March 2011 - 03:57 PM

Ok folks, today was the day.

I assembled the completed prototype of the Skylight F15m this morning and took a few pictures.

This is the prototype and the main run of mini's will differ in a couple of ways...

First will be the focuser. I'm using a Crawmach focuser, but the one shown here and used for first fitting is a standard example. While they look mostly the same, Dan is doing me a custom run with some tweaks to fit my design. These are not completed yet, but I hope to have my hands on one by month-end.

The 'shark fin' finder mount is mounted too far forwards on this scope, and will be mounted 2-3cm further back on the main run. Also, the brass screw at the front angle will be covered by powder coat.

More detailed pictures will come shortly, and I will post in the NEAF forum with details on pricing later in the week...but it will be affordable. :rainbow:

Here it comes (the Nagler is not included)... :jump:

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#82 ukcanuck

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Posted 19 March 2011 - 04:04 PM

To me, given the smaller diameter tube of a 60, it needs to have some unique features that set it apart from larger brothers. So getting a little radical with the lengths of dew shields and tapers I feels adds to the distinctiveness allowing the little 60 to be its own man as it were.

This comment stuck in my head. :question:

I automatically considered using finder brackets similar to those on my larger scopes, but I put that idea aside as they are simply too expensive to fabricate, and they would have blown the F15m's budget. So I decided to go down another road and do something completely different. The 'shark fin' idea was one that I had kicking around for awhile, and I thought it would add a touch of identity to the scope. It's centre mounted to allow for ease of use on either side of the tube...but the focuser can be rotated, so this makes it easier still.

Here's a closer view (please excuse the plastic spacers):

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#83 ukcanuck

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Posted 19 March 2011 - 04:07 PM

I thought it would add a touch of identity to the scope.

It also provides a nice writing area: :smirk:

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#84 Wes James

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Posted 19 March 2011 - 04:18 PM

Looks GREAT, Richard!! Nice to see an actual model!
Wes

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#85 7331Peg

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Posted 19 March 2011 - 06:44 PM

I'll second that, Wes! I like the looks of the lens hood - that certainly sets it apart from other 60mm scopes. And the Crawford Machine rotating focuser is a very nice touch.

I can see myself prying Polaris apart with it now.

John $:refractor:$

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#86 BillP

ISS

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Posted 19 March 2011 - 08:45 PM

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#87 Astrojensen

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Posted 20 March 2011 - 03:32 AM

Personaly, I don't like the "shark fin", but otherwise I dig the lines of the scope. I would have preferred standard finder rings.

Clear skies!
Thomas, Denmark

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#88 SkyscraperJim

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Posted 20 March 2011 - 09:24 AM

Personaly, I don't like the "shark fin", but otherwise I dig the lines of the scope. I would have preferred standard finder rings.

I agree with this assessment. Although how a scope performs is more important than how it looks, I do think this feature throws off the visual balance. More importantly, I think it will make storing and transporting the scope more of a challenge, as it does not look like it is removable.

I would also opt to not move it back any further.

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#89 philjay

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Posted 21 March 2011 - 03:19 PM

Thats a corker Richard, a Carton lens as well you didnt mention that in your email

I like the elegent lines of the extended cell and dew shield. The focuser looks good especially the larger bearings than say some crayford focusers out there which are too skinny and tramline the draw tube in no time.
Im afraid I agree with others I personally dont go much for the sharksfin either but if the quality is there then hey

Nice one and thanks for posting the images

Phil

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#90 Wes James

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Posted 21 March 2011 - 03:57 PM

I'll throw my hat in with the recent posters against the shark fin finder mount... though I've decided that- as beautiful as this scope is, since the objective duplicates a 60mm Carton I already have, I don't believe I'll be investing in one of these. A beautiful scope, though- and you deserve to be commended for taking on a project like this, and reproducing a truly classical telescope, Richard.
Though,... *thinking*... mebbe' I should sell the Carton and buy one of these!!

Wes

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#91 7331Peg

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Posted 21 March 2011 - 05:39 PM

Subliminal message to Wes: *** Sell, sell, sell, buy, buy, buy! *** :grin:

I have a few too 60mm scopes with Carton lenses, too, but I can't resist the black tube. It will look great mounted on top of my black Celestron 102mm.

The Carton lens is a great choice. They do a SUPERB job. And the shark fin mounting doesn't bother me, although it takes some getting used to. But I live on the Pacific coast, so I've learned to like sharks.

John $:refractor:$

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#92 ngc2289

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Posted 21 March 2011 - 06:34 PM

The shark fin mount would look better with a few lightening holes in it. Mike Traub :ubetcha:

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#93 Preston Smith

The Travel Scope Guy

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Posted 21 March 2011 - 07:44 PM

Hi Richard,

Definitely like the long lean look of your scope. I have to agree that the shark fin takes away from the overall classic look. Your finder looks REALLY nice! :ubetcha:

I recommend the two, finder ring pillar attachments for the finder rings to keep the classic look. That's what I went with for my 60mm.

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#94 Doug76

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Posted 21 March 2011 - 09:38 PM

Well, the "shark fin" is certainly unique, but I'm in the camp against it, at least as is.
I'm thinking it would look much better if the center portion had an oval cut into it, removing much of it, or even a series of round holes cut into it. It just looks clunky to me as it is, and I see it as ruining the lines of an otherwise fine looking instrument, and it is otherwise a really fine looking instrument.

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#95 Wes James

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Posted 22 March 2011 - 04:00 AM

I think that everyone here has the right idea... lightening holes in it could make a huge difference, especially Doug's idea of perhaps an oval cut, perhaps with some edge rounding- removing most of the material. Could really turn it into something stunning.
Wes

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#96 Andy Howie

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Posted 22 March 2011 - 09:30 AM

Another 'vote', for machining out a gap/hole in the bracket.

Andy.

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#97 ukcanuck

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Posted 22 March 2011 - 10:33 AM

Your finder looks REALLY nice!

Thank you...another one of my creations. :rainbow:

Otherwise... :tonofbricks:

Ok, I get the message. The shark fin idea doesn't work...I thought it had potential, but perhaps not on this scope. I'm not so attached to it to lose sleep over it.

However, the result of its' redesign probably will make me lose sleep. :smirk:

This always was an interactive project, so I've done away with the finder rail in its' entirety and gone for a more traditional finder bracket, and in doing so, I think it turned into something really nice, and it ticks the 'elegant' box for me. These finder rings to me, make it a true miniaturized version of my 100mm/F15.

However, they take an age to make and mount, so it does put into jeopardy exactly how many of these I will have ready for NEAF.

I'll have to show it in a semi-finished state, it and the main batch is due to go to the powder coaters on Friday.

Here it is:

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#98 ukcanuck

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Posted 22 March 2011 - 10:34 AM

Another view with some perspective:

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#99 ukcanuck

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Posted 22 March 2011 - 10:44 AM

A few other details:

The F15m is not actually an F15 refractor, this is the Carton F16 lens...I'm taking a bit of artistic licence with the name.

There are enough white telescopes in the world, mine will be gloss black like its' big brothers.

A brass dew shield will be available (not delivered yet), although the F15m will come as standard with the matching gloss black one as shown earlier in this thread. The scope looks great with a matching dew shield, and this helps keep the price down.

No rings are included, these are up to the user's choice.

When I started machining the cell, I found the castings have some bubbles in them, and these are sometimes visible on the surface. A straightforward cosmetic issue, but one I wanted to mention.

Picture of the collimateable cell (this lens has been used quite a bit and is quite dusty):