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Cave Mirror Registry

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#1201 nexplcbl

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Posted 01 August 2024 - 10:55 PM

Another one,
Prefix Number   Date   Size  FL     Inscription         Model Owner                 Documentation
M? ,    1493,     1959?   6"      f4      Cave Optical               Tim Crawford       see photo
-Tim is rebuilding telescope into a Dobsonian with new focuser and thumbscrews on mirror cell.


Edited by nexplcbl, 01 August 2024 - 11:10 PM.


#1202 PiSigma

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Posted 03 August 2024 - 02:07 PM

Another one,
Prefix Number   Date   Size  FL     Inscription         Model Owner                 Documentation
M? ,    1493,     1959?   6"      f4      Cave Optical               Tim Crawford       see photo
-Tim is rebuilding telescope into a Dobsonian with new focuser and thumbscrews on mirror cell.

Thank you for the addition Tim. I will have it added to the next update.

 

Just a few questions - Is there an M before the serial number? I tried sharpening your picture and can make out the 24 with some fraction for the FL along with 1959 but I'm not sure there is an M there in front of the serial number. There should be for mirrors in this range and it may be an M or M#. These lightly engraved-on-the-back mirrors are tough to photograph. If you can take one in direct sunlight that might help. And is there a month shown with the year? This range of mirrors usually had the month and year (no day). I have M1495 in the registry and it is from July, so I suspect yours might have a 'July' next to the year. Is there more to the "Cave Optical" engraving? Like maybe "Co."



#1203 PiSigma

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Posted 05 October 2024 - 12:37 PM

Time for a 3 month update.

 

We have just 2 new mirrors in this edition.

 

Changes from the 7/7/2024 edition are highlighted in yellow.

 

Cell in red is an entry where I hope to someday verify the date as it doesn't make sense. This was in the description of a Craig's List ad that is long gone. If anyone ever bought mirror 1368 I would really appreciate a picture of it

 

Cave Mirror Registry 10/5/2024

 

Be sure to refresh the page if you've visited before otherwise you may be viewing a previous version.

 

A total of 347 mirrors are now in the registry.


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#1204 Oldjag42

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Posted 31 October 2024 - 09:17 PM

I found a 10" Cave Astrola down the street at end of a driveway two weeks ago.  Owner said prior neighbor left it with him when they moved away and it had been sitting in his garage for 15 years or so.  He said the mirrors were bad and I should buy new ones on Amazon??  It was free.  Got home and it cleaned up very nicely and the clock drive worked.  I was amazed at how heavy it is...not going to be easy to move it around.  I guess the 1 1/2" shafts and thick mast really adds some weight.  I sent the mirrors off to Majestic to be recoated and they came back looking great.  I collimated it and got a brief glimpse of Jupiter before high clouds moved in.  Seems very sharp.  The mirror is an F6 with a F/L = 60.25"  The mirror no# M794094  And is signed in block letters T R Cave and dated 1979.  It does not have tube rings, it uses the band clamps so I assume the standard version.  The dials are black with white numerals.  I get some photos to upload later.  I'm totally new to astronomy, but I think it's a keeper.


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#1205 PiSigma

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Posted 01 November 2024 - 06:50 PM

I found a 10" Cave Astrola down the street at end of a driveway two weeks ago.  Owner said prior neighbor left it with him when they moved away and it had been sitting in his garage for 15 years or so.  He said the mirrors were bad and I should buy new ones on Amazon??  It was free.  Got home and it cleaned up very nicely and the clock drive worked.  I was amazed at how heavy it is...not going to be easy to move it around.  I guess the 1 1/2" shafts and thick mast really adds some weight.  I sent the mirrors off to Majestic to be recoated and they came back looking great.  I collimated it and got a brief glimpse of Jupiter before high clouds moved in.  Seems very sharp.  The mirror is an F6 with a F/L = 60.25"  The mirror no# M794094  And is signed in block letters T R Cave and dated 1979.  It does not have tube rings, it uses the band clamps so I assume the standard version.  The dials are black with white numerals.  I get some photos to upload later.  I'm totally new to astronomy, but I think it's a keeper.

Thank you for the addition to the registry Oldjag42 and Welcome to the Cloudy Nights Classic Telescope forum!.

 

What an incredible find. What luck to find someone giving it away. It is definitely a keeper! I had a 10" f/6 Cave and, even though it was a bit heavy as you note, I think it is a great point between portability and light gathering power. I could just wheel mine out in my driveway and was good to go.

 

Majestic does great work. Yours would be a Model C. We would love to see some photos when you have time. Especially the T R Cave engraving.

 

I will have yours in the next edition of the registry, which I usually post every 3 months.



#1206 Terra Nova

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Posted 04 November 2024 - 11:34 AM

I would like to add my 8-inch Cave Astrola to the regestry. #82868attachicon.gif IMG_8704-------IE.jpgattachicon.gif IMG_8710-------IE.jpgattachicon.gif IMG_8712-----IE.jpg

I just love seeing these grandames back in service. When I was getting into the hobby in the 1960s, there were three standard bearers: Cave Newtonians, Unitron Refractors, and Questar Maksutovs. The were my it! telescopes.



#1207 Silicon Owl

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Posted 05 November 2024 - 12:12 AM

Just recieved a 6" f/4 from a gentleman in North Carolina that was listed in the Cave Astrola Facebook group.  Mirror is M-727123, dated Feb 17, 1972 with F= 23-13/16", serial number is in the usual Cave block script very similar to my 1978 vintage 8" f/6.

 

I will be remounting the mirror in a 3D printed 6" travel scope.

 

Andrew Cooper

Waikoloa, HI


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#1208 PiSigma

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Posted 05 November 2024 - 07:50 PM

Just recieved a 6" f/4 from a gentleman in North Carolina that was listed in the Cave Astrola Facebook group.  Mirror is M-727123, dated Feb 17, 1972 with F= 23-13/16", serial number is in the usual Cave block script very similar to my 1978 vintage 8" f/6.

 

I will be remounting the mirror in a 3D printed 6" travel scope.

 

Andrew Cooper

Waikoloa, HI

Thank you for the addition Andrew! I will have it in the next update of the registry.



#1209 Oldjag42

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Posted 05 November 2024 - 10:22 PM

I have some photos of the 10" Cave I found down the street. Photos are of some of the parts and assembled after cleaning it up a bit.  Unfortunately in my haste to reassemble after getting the mirrors back from majestic I forgot to take a picture of the side of the mirror where it is signed.cave1.jpg cave mirror.jpg


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#1210 CHASLX200

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Posted 06 November 2024 - 06:48 AM

I have some photos of the 10" Cave I found down the street. Photos are of some of the parts and assembled after cleaning it up a bit.  Unfortunately in my haste to reassemble after getting the mirrors back from majestic I forgot to take a picture of the side of the mirror where it is signed.attachicon.gif cave1.jpgattachicon.gif cave mirror.jpg

I will never forget the 10" strap mount model. That is the scope i put marsh mallows in back 1982 and got kicked out of my club. What a nite that was.



#1211 Oldjag42

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Posted 23 November 2024 - 01:29 AM

I've been doing some more work on the 10" Cave Astrola C model I found down the street.  I did a little viewing of Jupiter and the Moon with it after getting the mirrors back from coating and reinstalled.  It seems to work quite well with the exception of the band clamp setup not allowing easy rotation to position the finder.  I'm in the process of making aluminum setting rings/tube clamps.  This should allow for ease of rotation and locking the tube in place, and with a carrying handle between the rings a way to pick up the tube off the mount without straining my back too much.  The tube on this scope is fiberglass, and appears to be wound from fiberglass sheet and put in a mold with gelcoat, that said the tube and mirror is still quite heavy.  I've got a Zwo AS1662MC camera on order to try out with a Barlow.  Well see how that goes.  I'll post some more photos when the setting rings are done.


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#1212 Oldjag42

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Posted 03 December 2024 - 12:37 AM

Some more photos of the 10" Cave garage find.  I made up some rings to replace the original tube straps.  The setup consists of inner rings which grip the tube, and outer rings which are lined with Velcro felt on the ID and thrust surfaces.  This makes it very easy to rotate and lock the tube if desired.  Also a lot safer than the old tube band clamps.  I purchased a ZWO AS1662MC camera for the scope and will be doing some image stacking.

Attached Thumbnails

  • OTA cave.jpg
  • OTA cave 2.jpg

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#1213 Bob W4

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Posted 06 January 2025 - 06:21 PM

Hi Jon.  I'm almost done with my 6" Cave restoration and would like to get the mirror added to the registry.  This is the basket case I found on a Craigslist add last June.  The info is as follows, with a few pics.

 

1975 Cave Student Deluxe

Block Inscription

Cave Optical Co

M750823

July 25 1975

31 3/16" FL

 

The scope came with 4 original letters of correspondence signed by Thomas Cave.  Plus, the canceled checks for the deposit and final payment.  A winter project is to cut a mat to frame them for display.

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#1214 Bob W4

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Posted 06 January 2025 - 06:21 PM

Next up.

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#1215 Bob W4

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Posted 06 January 2025 - 06:22 PM

The glamor shot.

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Edited by Bob W4, 06 January 2025 - 06:22 PM.

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#1216 Bob W4

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Posted 06 January 2025 - 06:31 PM

I left the clock drive off, as the original owner butchered the cover up in order to get a replacement motor to fit.  Plus, a low power/widefield scope really don't need one.  I hope to get the mirror shipped out to Spectrum in the next couple of days.  Also, I need to make a tube counterweight system in order to balance the heavy 2" focuser and eyepieces.  Lastly, I will make some sort of clutch in order to add a bit of resistance to the RA movement. Overall, it has been a mostly fun project.  I had to make a couple of compromises along the way, but overall I am happy with the results.  It ain't a super showpiece, but everything works as it should, and I won't be embarrassed to be seen with it in public!!!

 

Clear Skies.



#1217 Bob W4

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Posted 06 January 2025 - 06:38 PM

Almost forgot ... Please list my name in the registry as Bob Wilshusen.  Thank you Jon.



#1218 CHASLX200

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Posted 06 January 2025 - 07:26 PM

The glamor shot.

I love the looks and color. Them old scopes always make me dream like they did when i was 14.


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#1219 Bob W4

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Posted 06 January 2025 - 07:45 PM

I love the looks and color. Them old scopes always make me dream like they did when i was 14.

I lost soooo much droll while looking at the catalogs and daydreaming of owning a Cave telescope as a young teen.  I consider myself lucky that I didn't die a tragic death from de-hydration.



#1220 CHASLX200

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Posted 06 January 2025 - 07:48 PM

What color is that called? Kinda like a teal gray.



#1221 Bob W4

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Posted 06 January 2025 - 07:57 PM

What color is that called? Kinda like a teal gray.

I used Rustoleum 2X gloss "Winter Grey" rattle cans.  The color looks more Grey and less blue-green in real life.  The phone/lighting made it look a bit off.  In real life, the color looks pretty true to the gorgeous catalog photos we slobbered over as kids!!!


Edited by Bob W4, 06 January 2025 - 07:58 PM.


#1222 PiSigma

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Posted 08 January 2025 - 07:50 PM

Hi Jon.  I'm almost done with my 6" Cave restoration and would like to get the mirror added to the registry.  This is the basket case I found on a Craigslist add last June.  The info is as follows, with a few pics.

 

1975 Cave Student Deluxe

Block Inscription

Cave Optical Co

M750823

July 25 1975

31 3/16" FL

 

The scope came with 4 original letters of correspondence signed by Thomas Cave.  Plus, the canceled checks for the deposit and final payment.  A winter project is to cut a mat to frame them for display.

Thank you for the update Bob. That looks like a beautiful restoration. Congratulations.

 

It is time for a 3 month update so it will be in this one.



#1223 PiSigma

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Posted 08 January 2025 - 07:52 PM

Time for a 3 month update.

 

We have 3 new mirrors in this edition.

 

Changes from the 10/5/2024 edition are highlighted in yellow.

 

Cell in red is an entry where I hope to someday verify the date as it doesn't make sense. This was in the description of a Craig's List ad that is long gone. If anyone ever bought mirror 1368 I would really appreciate a picture of it

 

Cave Mirror Registry 1/8/2025

 

Be sure to refresh the page if you've visited before otherwise you may be viewing a previous version.

 

A total of 350 mirrors are now in the registry.


Edited by PiSigma, 08 January 2025 - 07:54 PM.

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