5227 replies to this topic

[CharlieB]

Here we go!

[CharlieB]

No, it's the same one.  Just a name change.  It was too easy to confuse the two (Craigslist, eBay and other vintage, classic telescope ads and Craigslist, eBay and other vintage, classic telescope Finds) when moderating, as only part of the title showed up on my monitor and it caused a few too many near mods on the wrong topic - and one real one.

 

Charlie

[Terra Nova]

Thanks Charlie. I read that in the other thread just before you responded and deleted my question here seconds before. Anyway, good idea! 

[starman876]

No, it's the same one.  Just a name change.  It was too easy to confuse the two (Craigslist, eBay and other vintage, classic telescope ads and Craigslist, eBay and other vintage, classic telescope Finds) when moderating, as only part of the title showed up on my monitor and it caused a few too many near mods on the wrong topic - and one real one.

 

Charlie

Sounds like you need a bigger monitor Charlie.

[Defenderslideguitar]

^{Good idea  I would think}

 ^{Thanks Charlie}

[Russell Smith]

I can now see the difference on my phone.
Charlie B. You da man!

[CharlieB]

Sounds like you need a bigger monitor Charlie.

Running a Samsung Chromebook.

[AstroKerr]

Great idea, Charles!

 

Here's that eBay OTA only Swift 831. Just the OTA, comp ring diag, 20 &12.5 eps. I was coming off night 17 of 21 straight and had to get eyes-on something other than a tree - so two hr session with Blue, Low Contrast Moon. Grabbed the mount with 90 rings, didn't feel like swapping, hence filler towels. Looks raggedy, to be sure.

 

It's a Swift 831 and performs as such - exquisite. Exquisite enough to spend two hours sitting hunched in the grass, bone tired, dodging the Sun and Bella the Shark Puppy. Very crisp, very fine, thin line of what will be colour in the dark - a quarter or third of a hair. It'll ace it's star tests. Did fetch the 6 & 4 eps & a moon filter, pulled wonderful detail despite the TOD. Missing two small setscrews. Wonderful instrument, just wonderful. 

 

    

 

god, that looks horrid. 

Edited by AstroKerr, 14 August 2020 - 03:53 AM.

[CeeKay]

Great idea, Charles!

 

Here's that eBay OTA only Swift 831. Just the OTA, comp ring diag, 20 &12.5 eps. I was coming off night 17 of 21 straight and had to get eyes-on something other than a tree - so two hr session with Blue, Low Contrast Moon. Grabbed the mount with 90 rings, didn't feel like swapping, hence filler towels. Looks raggedy, to be sure.

 

It's a Swift 831 and performs as such - exquisite. Exquisite enough to spend two hours sitting hunched in the grass, bone tired, dodging the Sun and Bella the Shark Puppy. Very crisp, very fine, thin line of what will be colour in the dark - a quarter or third of a hair. It'll ace it's star tests. Did fetch the 6 & 4 eps & a moon filter, pulled wonderful detail despite the TOD. Missing two small setscrews. Wonderful instrument, just wonderful. 

 

    

 

god, that looks horrid. 

But, it worked!

[clamchip]

I just did a 8 hour round trip for a 8 inch f/26 DK Cassegrain built by Walter W. Leight

in 1945.

Featured in the January 1946 Sky & Telescope.

No pictures for now but you can read up on Mr. Leight.

In here within the pages of "Raimakers" Observe a Transit of Mercury:

https://lvaas.org/ob...vember_2017.pdf

and in this article 'John Mellish and the craters of Mars:

http://www.brayebroo...tersonmars.html

 

Robert

Edited by clamchip, 14 August 2020 - 09:01 AM.

[AstroKerr]

I just did a 8 hour round trip for a 8 inch f/26 DK Cassegrain built by Walter W. Leight

in 1945.

Featured in the January 1946 Sky & Telescope.

No pictures for now but you can read up on Mr. Leight.

In here within the pages of "Raimakers" Observe a Transit of Mercury:

https://lvaas.org/ob...vember_2017.pdf

and in this article 'John Mellish and the craters of Mars:

http://www.brayebroo...tersonmars.html

 

Robert

You have Leight's 8" f/26 Cass? A Quaker scope - probably THE Quaker scope. Not amazing - absolutely believable and deserved. Well done, Sunshine! That is like, I don't know, an angel's spyglass or somewhat. Don't you ever part with it - it's blessed. And no silly name, either - just call it Leight or Walter, yes? Congratulations, heartily. 

 

And don't disassemble it unless you have - you're always taking thing apart and fiddling with them - makes me nervous. I mean, I can't think of anyone better to do so, really - but things can happen and things fall or whatnot. You're not going to listen, and that's fine, but be careful - it's a Quaker Relic and.... just don't scratch anything. work over a mattress or a cushion, maybe have a spotter... that fellow in the lost ark movie fiddled with things and got melted - screamed the whole time - horrid...

Edited by AstroKerr, 14 August 2020 - 09:41 AM.

[clamchip]

It needs a little tidying up and is why I'm holding off on the photo shoot.

No clamchips which is such a relief.

I was able to focus it yesterday, not easy with a 5334mm focal length, I

could not focus the scope when I looked it over to purchase but I bought

it anyway.

 

Robert

[Bomber Bob]

Congratulations Robert -- can't wait to see your antique Classic!

 

I can just imagine, 107x with my spectros 50mm Big Kellner...  Spectacular!!

[AstroKerr]

5334... wow. You'll get it up to snuff quick enough - really, congrats Robert!

[clamchip]

Since I have the optical tube cleaned up now I can show it off.

Mr. Leight worked as a optician at the Frankfort Arsenal during WW2 so he was

able to have 'lunch box specials' some very nice glass in that finder!

Robert 

 

[ScottAstroNut]

That is one SWEET scope!!! And very special. f/26! Wow!!!

 

Is that an Edmund refractor focuser?

 

Great find!!!

[clamchip]

That is one SWEET scope!!! And very special. f/26! Wow!!!

 

Is that an Edmund refractor focuser?

 

Great find!!!

Sharp eye!

yes it is a 3 inch Edmund refractor focuser a very early one.

This scope has been rebuilt 2 maybe 3 times all by the original builder.

The optics are 1945 but the rest has undergone overhauls over time.

The mounting is Spacek and Cave so the last overhaul must have been

around the late 1950's.

 

Robert

[clamchip]

The first edition in 1945 had a shellacked fiber tube, plywood cells for the mirrors

pipe mounting and a wood counterweight, 3 inch finder, as shown in this photo:

 

[oldmanastro]

Well, this is my vintage telescope find. I should also say that it found me (also vintage).  The Sears 6336 76mm f/16 refractor is here. I must thank Barry for allowing me to have the telescope and doing a really superb packing job for two big boxes. They arrived today via USPS Priority Mail. It only took two days and not a scratch on anything. The telescope is now assembled and awaiting first light and, of course, it's raining!

 

My 1964-66 Sears Astronomical telescope collection is now complete with the 6336, 2535 (6339), 6305 and 2620. The first two are the 76mm models and the last two the 60mm.  No more drooling over the 6336 in the 1965 Sears catalog.

 

Clear Skies!

 

Guido

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[Bomber Bob]

Congrats Guido!  You finished your Collection, and with The Super Star!

[oldmanastro]

Congrats Guido!  You finished your Collection, and with The Super Star!

Thanks JW. I was as happy as a kid in Christmas Day when it arrived. Shipping was  fast. It was supposed to arrive tomorrow. Now I have to find the clock drive and the instruction manual to complete the kit. It looks so nice.

 

Guido

[Alanvogt]

"My 1964-66 Sears Astronomical telescope collection is now complete with the 6336, 2535 (6339), 6305 and 2620. The first two are the 76mm models and the last two the 60mm.  No more drooling over the 6336 in the 1965 Sears catalog."

 

Can we get a family portrait with all 4 scopes?

Alan

[oldmanastro]

"My 1964-66 Sears Astronomical telescope collection is now complete with the 6336, 2535 (6339), 6305 and 2620. The first two are the 76mm models and the last two the 60mm.  No more drooling over the 6336 in the 1965 Sears catalog."

 

Can we get a family portrait with all 4 scopes?

Alan

You read my mind Allan because that's what I intend to do tomorrow with some rearrangement in the "telescope room" 

 

Guido

[CharlieB]

That's a great scope!  Jut one comment - those large reddish fiber washers on the latitude pivot belong on the inside surfaces between the tripod hub and the bearing surface of the mount.  I you try to tighten the latitude locking levers as they are, the castings could very well crack.

 

Charlie

[oldmanastro]

That's a great scope!  Jut one comment - those large reddish fiber washers on the latitude pivot belong on the inside surfaces between the tripod hub and the bearing surface of the mount.  I you try to tighten the latitude locking levers as they are, the castings could very well crack.

 

Charlie

Thanks Charlie,

 

  I didn't notice when I assembled it even though I have it correct in my other scope!

 

Guido