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Tinsley 5" f12 (?) On Massive Tinsley GEM Mount & Pier

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#1 Tom Duncan

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Posted 16 October 2024 - 11:48 AM

I have the opportunity to get an ancient Tinsley 5" f12 (at least I think it's f12) on its original cast iron mount/pier but can find no precedent for its value.

 

The scope is in just OK condition, a small clamshell chip on one element, and some overall age and wear as you can see. The mount is completely untested, the old power supply and cordage is a bit scary so I probably won't plug it in, expecting the next owner to rebuild it. 

 

Anyone have any knowledge of previous sales or even a suggestion as to value? One report I read suggested there were only 12 of these made but with no supporting evidence. One CN ad said "Have been told Mount alone is worth $1500 w/o pedestal (rare)".

 

I posted on this scope a while back here:

 

https://www.cloudyni...ount-questions/

 

Tom Duncan 

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Edited by Tom Duncan, 16 October 2024 - 12:07 PM.

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#2 jragsdale

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Posted 16 October 2024 - 12:05 PM

The "white elephant" scopes like these, where their weight and "cool" factor greatly exceed their functionality quotient are very hard to price. The right person will pay big bucks, but the right person is very hard to find and rarely are the scope and the person in the same general area to acquire the scope. Once functionally restored and optically tested, I would expect value and interest to increase. Hypothetically if it all works great and lens is diffraction limited (~1/6 wave or better and no stig), I could see myself paying about $3-$5k for it locally.



#3 Bomber Bob

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Posted 16 October 2024 - 12:14 PM

I think the EQ is the circa 1960 style.  Is there a counterweight??  (I think I see it, but just to be sure!)  Those focusers are pro-grade, and worth at least $200 a pop.  If local, I'd buy the EQ & pier, and pay $2K for just those.  So yes, I could see a Tinsley Fan paying $5000 for the lot.  But... very few of those folks around any more!

 

How large is the Black Guidescope?  (Yeah, I know, I'm down-sizing!, but askin' is free, right?)


Edited by Bomber Bob, 16 October 2024 - 12:17 PM.

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#4 Kitfox

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Posted 16 October 2024 - 01:19 PM

Ugh...

 

Go ahead, buy it, put it on a pallet and ship it to me.

 

I know where there is an 8" CC on that same head (no pedestal, just a pier).  It ended up in Kitfox Acres Observatory for just under $2,000.  I might think the CC has more potential, but who knows about that lens.  Tinsley didn't make many of anything, but they did make everything Observatory-Class.  I think that is pretty solid evidence it could be quite good.  like-button.jpg

 

Okay, I'll take it...let me know when you want Old Dominion Freight Lines to pay you a visit.  bawling.gif


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#5 Kitfox

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Posted 16 October 2024 - 01:22 PM

I think the EQ is the circa 1960 style.  Is there a counterweight??  (I think I see it, but just to be sure!)  Those focusers are pro-grade, and worth at least $200 a pop.  If local, I'd buy the EQ & pier, and pay $2K for just those.  So yes, I could see a Tinsley Fan paying $5000 for the lot.  But... very few of those folks around any more!

 

How large is the Black Guidescope?  (Yeah, I know, I'm down-sizing!, but askin' is free, right?)

 

The counterweight is that thing that looks like a small boat anchor.  It would make a decent facsimile of one, as a matter of fact!


Edited by Kitfox, 16 October 2024 - 01:25 PM.

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#6 Kasmos

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Posted 16 October 2024 - 03:02 PM

I think the EQ is the circa 1960 style.  Is there a counterweight??  (I think I see it, but just to be sure!)  Those focusers are pro-grade, and worth at least $200 a pop.  If local, I'd buy the EQ & pier, and pay $2K for just those.  So yes, I could see a Tinsley Fan paying $5000 for the lot.  But... very few of those folks around any more!

 

How large is the Black Guidescope?  (Yeah, I know, I'm down-sizing!, but askin' is free, right?)

His link to the older post shows Tinsley's ad for one and says the optional guide scope is 3". Also, it looks like the same length OTA but with a different VB/Diagonal assembly and states that it's a f/15. 

 

It's very cool and should be kept intact but sadly there aren't going to be many that would be willing to take on it's associated cost of the logistics of moving, storing, and or using it.

 

Although he appears to have his hands full, it looks like something that John Briggs might be interested in.

I'm sure he'd know something about them or perhaps someone who would want it.

 

Lyceum-JB-CK.jpg

That's John (beneath the arrow) when I visited the Telescope Lyceum after last April's eclipse


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#7 Kitfox

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Posted 18 October 2024 - 09:03 PM

Don’t want this thread to die…

 

I have two Tinsleys, including an 8” CC that is on that same mount, I believe. Please don’t let that beauty languish in a corner unused. I know of one observatory in NC the would give it a place of honor beside a Tinsley 8” and 12” CC.  Even with a blemish, that lens needs to have some attention and a chance at a little star shine. bow.gif


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#8 Tom Duncan

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Posted 19 October 2024 - 10:39 AM

Don’t want this thread to die…

 

I have two Tinsleys, including an 8” CC that is on that same mount, I believe. Please don’t let that beauty languish in a corner unused. I know of one observatory in NC the would give it a place of honor beside a Tinsley 8” and 12” CC.  Even with a blemish, that lens needs to have some attention and a chance at a little star shine. bow.gif

Agreed, the intent is to find this Tinsley setup a new home.

 

Tom


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#9 apfever

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Posted 19 October 2024 - 11:28 AM

I have these on an 8 page pdf. Not quite the same mount but maybe useable. I also have schematics of things like the separate electronic box, again not quite the same model but....maybe 10 to 15 pages of original tech for Tinsley of that size. It's left over from when I had a Tinsley 12" F16 OTA as shown in the pier picture. It's all pdf and can be emailed. 

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  • Screenshot (235) - Copy.jpg

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#10 Tom Duncan

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Posted 29 October 2024 - 04:15 PM

I have the opportunity to get an ancient Tinsley 5" f12 (at least I think it's f12) on its original cast iron mount/pier but can find no precedent for its value.

 

The scope is in just OK condition, a small clamshell chip on one element, and some overall age and wear as you can see. The mount is completely untested, the old power supply and cordage is a bit scary so I probably won't plug it in, expecting the next owner to rebuild it. 

 

Anyone have any knowledge of previous sales or even a suggestion as to value? One report I read suggested there were only 12 of these made but with no supporting evidence. One CN ad said "Have been told Mount alone is worth $1500 w/o pedestal (rare)".

 

I posted on this scope a while back here:

 

https://www.cloudyni...ount-questions/

 

Tom Duncan 

Correction, two clam shells, one on each element and the elements are mis-aligned. 

 

And it roughly measures out to a bit shy of f15, not f12. The ad in the other CN post #1 ( https://www.cloudyni...ount-questions/ ) says it's f15.

 

Tom


Edited by Tom Duncan, 29 October 2024 - 04:30 PM.

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