5341 replies to this topic

[upwinddan]

Quick rough design. Opted for magnet inserts on the lid because the original tupperware latch design was actually fairly hard to open and close securely. This way the magnets will hold the lid on but it's easy to take off and on. For maximum clarity on the sides, translucent PETG would probably be the best filament, but glow in the dark filament would be extra cool, just not as transparent to see what's inside from outside the box.

Very cool work! There's a bunch of us folks who love Vixen that will be wanting your product. I would like to be one of the first customers to buy one.

[jragsdale]

Very cool work! There's a bunch of us folks who love Vixen that will be wanting your product. I would like to be one of the first customers to buy one.

Cool! Let me fine tune the design and print a few prototypes so I know I have everything just right first then I'll list a few for sale. (CN Classics Forum discount of course).

[clamchip]

I was talking to a friend about my Jaegers Mak with Lomo glass and how much I like it and 

he said he has a Lomo he has trouble using and I can have it to see if I can use it.

I've got to show you this cute bug. Around 40mm clear aperture, about 15 power, rubber skin

over a black anodized all aluminum telescope. Looking inside I see a tiny mirror set, a positive

meniscus, perforated primary of course, a 3-vane spider supporting a baffle, it must be a Gregorian

nears I can tell.

Focusing is achieved by rotating the front cell like the barrel focuser on a camera lens.

Yes hard to use but oh is it sharp and high contrast. It begs for a tripod but has no way of attaching

anything to it. Narrow field of view and not a whole lot of eye relief, and so small it's difficult to

hold, an odd little feller. It seems well suited for astronomy, definitely not sports events. Maybe 

bird watching if the bird is dead or sitting on eggs. Anything this good optically I like it, I'll find

a purpose for it.

Robert

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by clamchip, 22 July 2024 - 06:12 PM.

[Weisswurst Josef]

Wow!

What a cute little thing!

[jragsdale]

Very cool work! There's a bunch of us folks who love Vixen that will be wanting your product. I would like to be one of the first customers to buy one.

After a few test prints and some calibration tests to figure out what settings give the most transparent results, here's the first passable prototype. I need to enlarge the rounded corners as they're still a little too pointy, but this is pretty close for what I can do with clear PLA. I ordered transparent PET-G as well to try as I've heard that's the best for transparency.

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[Russell Smith]

That's wonderful work.
Just outstanding.

[Kasmos]

That's really cool!

It's amazing what can be done with those things!

You could make all kinds of EP and Accessory holders for trays. 

[jragsdale]

That's really cool!

It's amazing what can be done with those things!

You could make all kinds of EP and Accessory holders for trays. 

If you can imagine it, it can probably be printed.

[Kasmos]

If you can imagine it, it can probably be printed.

OK. It might be fun to Print a focuser, an Objective Cell, and a finder mount to fit a PVC or ABS tube.

Edited by Kasmos, 23 July 2024 - 08:48 PM.

[upwinddan]

After a few test prints and some calibration tests to figure out what settings give the most transparent results, here's the first passable prototype. I need to enlarge the rounded corners as they're still a little too pointy, but this is pretty close for what I can do with clear PLA. I ordered transparent PET-G as well to try as I've heard that's the best for transparency.

Looks really perfect to me! One of the problems with the metal Vixen tray is that you can’t set eyepieces vertically without the risk of them falling over. The tall walls on your design eliminate that problem. What is the procedure for purchasing one of these? 

[deSitter]

OK. It might be fun to Print a focuser, an Objective Cell, and a finder mount to fit a PVC or ABS tube.

Funny - I loved rediscovering the all-metal classics, and now we're thinking of all-plastic scopes

 

-drl

[jragsdale]

Looks really perfect to me! One of the problems with the metal Vixen tray is that you can’t set eyepieces vertically without the risk of them falling over. The tall walls on your design eliminate that problem. What is the procedure for purchasing one of these? 

Let me print one in PET-G to see if it is a lot more transparent first. I should get the filament on Friday and have it printed by Saturday so I'll keep you posted.

[sneeds]

That is really cool, nice work!

Now that we are on it, does anyone have any file(s)/designs for the SP polar scope cover? It’s weird, I can’t see how it would attach to the mount as I don’t see any threads like in other covers/mounts…

[ericb760]

Let me print one in PET-G to see if it is a lot more transparent first. I should get the filament on Friday and have it printed by Saturday so I'll keep you posted.

Will this fit directly inside the metal triangular Vixen tray?

[Kasmos]

Funny - I loved rediscovering the all-metal classics, and now we're thinking of all-plastic scopes

 

-drl

I still prefer an all metal Classic scope, it was just a thought about being creative and the DIY possibilities. I also mentioned using a PVC or ABS tube only because they are so easily avavilable. Just fun to think what might be done as a ATM.

[deSitter]

I still prefer an all metal Classic scope, it was just a thought about being creative and the DIY possibilities. I also mentioned using a PVC or ABS tube only because they are so easily avavilable. Just fun to think what might be done as a ATM.

Modern plastic construction is fine with me. I'm glad my Nikon doesn't weigh a ton like my old Mamiya. The ETX's problems are not from plastic as such, they are from bad design and use of that plastic in bearings and axles and motor mounts.

 

-drl

[jragsdale]

Will this fit directly inside the metal triangular Vixen tray?

Yes, same size as the original Vixen Container.

 

 

Here's a photo of mine vs the original stock one.

 

 

And here's a separate Vixen tray print a friend made for me that also works in the Vixen tray (Super Polaris in this case).

 

[Werckmeister]

Mine is a nice green :-)
 

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[jragsdale]

Mine is a nice green :-)

Does it glow in the dark?!

 

If anyone is interested, the Japanese on the top of these translates as follows:

 

Kanji: 観測中もフタをして部品をほこりや観から保護して下さい

 

Romaji: Kansoku-chū mo futa o shite buhin o hokori ya kan kara hogo shite kudasai

 

English: Please keep the lid on to protect the parts from dust and debris during observation.

Edited by jragsdale, 24 July 2024 - 03:24 PM.

[jkmccarthy]

If you can imagine it, it can probably be printed.

OK. It might be fun to Print a focuser, an Objective Cell, and a finder mount to fit a PVC or ABS tube.

Norvegicus (Sean) has already designed a great custom 90mm lens cell for the front of a short f/ratio 90mm O.D. Vixen tube + focuser that I'd picked up used for a very low price, that was originally from a FL-80S OTA.

 

Details here (for those that may not have seen this when first posted 1 year ago):   https://www.cloudyni.../#entry12839555  (thanks Chris for your post [cited within the above thread] that highlighted using the retaining scews on a Unitron lens cell to fine-tune the centering of an objective's Newton's Rings ... and of course, my continuing thanks to Sean for all his excellent design contributions and work on this !).   This scope was one one of two that my wife and I traveled with to Texas for the April 2024 solar eclipse ... trip report here:   https://www.cloudyni.../#entry12839555  ... or jump to my Google Drive folder of photos shared here: https://drive.google...-atL3RLWMs5Fuee   (double-click on the first "jpg" file listed, then look for the (>) marker on the far right to advance to the next one ... filenames themselves in upper left should be self-explanatory, or so I hope ...).

 

But regarding the triangular plastic parts containers, FWIW the vintage ones by Vixen that I see most often are transparent bright yellowish-green, not diffuse white or clear (although I do see the latter clear ones occasionally ...).

 

 

Clear Skies,

 

       -- Jim

 

Ha!  ...I now see that Werckmeister has already posted an even better photo of one of the bright yellowish-green ones ... nice! ... but no, they don't glow in the dark (at least not anymore, although I can't vouch for 40 years ago ...)   Thanks Jordan for the translation of the embossed text on the lid !

Edited by jkmccarthy, 24 July 2024 - 02:01 PM.

[Kasmos]

Norvegicus (Sean) has already designed a great custom 90mm lens cell for the front of a short f/ratio 90mm O.D. Vixen tube + focuser that I'd picked up used for a very low price, that was originally from a FL-80S OTA.

 

Details here (for those that may not have seen this when first posted 1 year ago):   https://www.cloudyni.../#entry12839555  (thanks Chris for your post [cited within the above thread] that highlighted using the retaining scews on a Unitron lens cell to fine-tune the centering of an objective's Newton's Rings ... and of course, my continuing thanks to Sean for all his excellent design contributions and work on this !).   This scope was one one of two that my wife and I traveled with to Texas for the April 2024 solar eclipse ... trip report here:   https://www.cloudyni.../#entry12839555  ... or jump to my Google Drive folder of photos shared here: https://drive.google...-atL3RLWMs5Fuee   (double-click on the first "jpg" file listed, then look for the (>) marker on the far right to advance to the next one ... filenames themselves in upper left should be self-explanatory, or so I hope ...).

 

But regarding the triangular plastic parts containers, FWIW the vintage ones by Vixen that I see most often are transparent bright yellowish-green, not diffuse white or clear (although I do see the latter clear ones occasionally ...).

 

Vixen_Triangular-parts-bin.jpg

 

Clear Skies,

 

       -- Jim

 

Ha!  ...I now see that Werckmeister has already posted an even better photo of one of the bright yellowish-green ones ... nice! ... but no, they don't glow in the dark (at least not anymore, although I can't vouch for 40 years ago ...)   Thanks Jordan for the translation of the embossed text on the lid !

Thanks for the link on that cell. It's nice to get a second look at the very well thought out cell you guys came up with. It's so good, some manufacturers could take note!

[Terra Nova]

Mine is a nice green :-)
 

I have the original Vixen green round accessory container circa~2000, same translucent white top. I keep my glass solar filter for my Vixen ED102SS in it.

[deSitter]

Does it glow in the dark?!

 

If anyone is interested, the Japanese on the top of these translates as follows:

 

Kanji: 観測中もフタをして部品をほこりや観から保護して下さい

 

Romaji: Kansoku-chū mo futa o shite buhin o hokori ya kan kara hogo shite kudasai

 

English: Please keep the lid on to protect the parts from dust and viewing during observation.

 

-drl

[deSitter]

 

Ha!  ...I now see that Werckmeister has already posted an even better photo of one of the bright yellowish-green ones ... nice! ... but no, they don't glow in the dark (at least not anymore, although I can't vouch for 40 years ago ...)   Thanks Jordan for the translation of the embossed text on the lid !

Like a squirt gun Does it glow under UV light?

 

-drl

[39cross]

Next steps in 3-d printing: creating a doublet with .95+ Strehl!