60 replies to this topic

[Astrojensen]

Forgot about these two, that I picked up a few weeks ago: 8" and 10" homemade Newtonians. The 8" is an f/8, with optics by Danish mirror maker Carl K. Sørensen, and homemade equatorial mount with wooden pillow blocks. The 10" is as of yet unknown, but appears to be around f/6. The OTA for the 8" is a homemade, square wood tube, with homemade brass helical focuser for 1.25" eyepieces. It was made by my late mentor Jens Østergaard Olesen in the late 1940'ies or early 1950'ies. I have the Swedish book he based the design on, which is from 1946. 

 

I have begun mechanical restoration of the 8" f/8. It's almost complete, just missing a finderscope and a diagonal holder. I need to build a new primary mirror cell, as the old one is in poor condition. 

 

Both scopes had been given to a local astronomy club, but they didn't want them, so I picked them up instead. I will write about the 8" in more detail, once I have it up and running. It hasn't been used for at least 50 years. The 10" is missing the mount, and will be turned into a classic Dobsonian.  

 

 

 

Clear skies!

Thomas, Denmark

Edited by Astrojensen, 19 October 2024 - 01:50 PM.

[LDW47]

I drove about 400 mi., twice, to buy two from the late 50's / early 60's because I didn't want them to fall into the wrong hands. I didn't want or need them but I did, anyway, I promised to give them to the right astronomer.

 

 

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[Exnihilo]

In my case, no I'm not hanging onto classic OTAs; the couple that I've had were optically pretty mediocre.  But I do have several classic mounts which perform very well and I'm actively using.  I have a GP, SP, SPDX, and a Televue Systems mount ("Carton RSM-2000").

 

I don't know, I've only wanted classic refractors and C8s, and didn't have much luck, maybe I should try for a Newt.

Edited by Exnihilo, 20 October 2024 - 11:56 AM.

[starman876]

Over the last 20 years I bought so many Unitrons.   Bought  one this year. Could not resist.  I now hope it is not going to take 20 years to sell them all.  Anyway, I have kept them protected and safe.   Have helped a lot of people who needed parts to restore their Unitron.    Still have a ton of parts.   I fell in love with my first Unitron and it has remained a love affair.  However, it is time to pass the torch to another Unitron lover.   

[LDW47]

As I get older, in the end, I may have to donate all of my older scopes to the Royal Canadian Astronomical Society's museum in the GTA area.

[CHASLX200]

Over the last 20 years I bought so many Unitrons.   Bought  one this year. Could not resist.  I now hope it is not going to take 20 years to sell them all.  Anyway, I have kept them protected and safe.   Have helped a lot of people who needed parts to restore their Unitron.    Still have a ton of parts.   I fell in love with my first Unitron and it has remained a love affair.  However, it is time to pass the torch to another Unitron lover.   

Just offer up and one for all super deal for pickuo only and flush the terlet. Sure beats dealing with 100's of tire kickers and BS'er that change their minds. I can no longer deal with buyers.  I sure flushed this last week and feel so much better since all them scopes were gonna get ruined here with all the tearing out of drywall and dust and 70% humidity in the house from wet block.  Had no choice but to cut out 2 feet of drywall since mold can kill over time and got peeps living in my hood that are not gonna cut out the walls. County is red tagging many homes just to my west that got 7ft of water in the homes.  They have to be torn down and can only be rebuilt  10ft off the ground.  

[starman876]

Just offer up and one for all super deal for pickuo only and flush the terlet. Sure beats dealing with 100's of tire kickers and BS'er that change their minds. I can no longer deal with buyers.  I sure flushed this last week and feel so much better since all them scopes were gonna get ruined here with all the tearing out of drywall and dust and 70% humidity in the house from wet block.  Had no choice but to cut out 2 feet of drywall since mold can kill over time and got peeps living in my hood that are not gonna cut out the walls. County is red tagging many homes just to my west that got 7ft of water in the homes.  They have to be torn down and can only be rebuilt  10ft off the ground.  

I doubt many people will have that kind of cash laying around or space.   shame your home got flooded.   

[CHASLX200]

I doubt many people will have that kind of cash laying around or space.   shame your home got flooded.   

Well i can do the drywall and Kit cabs were trash when i got the house 20 years ago. All my money went to toys all these years and never into the house.

[Senex Bibax]

I drove about 400 mi., twice, to buy two from the late 50's / early 60's because I didn't want them to fall into the wrong hands. I didn't want or need them but I did, anyway, I promised to give them to the right astronomer.

 

IMG_2507.jpeg

 

IMG_2558.jpegf

That first one looks just like my Tasco 7TE, same mount and everything. Found mine at a yard sale this summer a couple of blocks from my house. Nobody seemed interested in it so.. mine.

[ccwemyss]

I sure flushed this last week and feel so much better since all them scopes were gonna get ruined here with all the tearing out of drywall and dust and 70% humidity in the house from wet block.  Had no choice but to cut out 2 feet of drywall since mold can kill over time and got peeps living in my hood that are not gonna cut out the walls.   

Mold is serious. One of my kids returned home at the end of a week-long job, after rain had run through the basement of the house where they were renting, and in one night it almost sent them to the hospital. Nearly lost the feeling in their hands. Had to evacuate immediately. 

 

Also watch out for mud in the electrical boxes. On the bright side, maybe it's a good opportunity to widen that door so you can get scopes in and out easier. 

 

My classics are mainly for loan to students. When I approach retirement, I'll start giving them away to the kids, since many aren't worth shipping. The few that are more desirable will go up for sale with delivery at NEAF, and then maybe I'll consider shipping.

 

The ones I use personally have mostly aged into classic status since I bought them, or satisfy the itch I had to buy them when I worked in the scope shop but couldn't afford them. They'll likely stick around until life makes me give them up. A couple I built from parts, and those I may let go sooner, rather than later. 

 

Chip W.

[LDW47]

That first one looks just like my Tasco 7TE, same mount and everything. Found mine at a yard sale this summer a couple of blocks from my house. Nobody seemed interested in it so.. mine.

Mine is the mid-late 1959 model 306 or 309 that precluded all the newer Tasco models ie 1960's forward. Its in the Tasco registry. The scope, accessories, wooden case, mount / tripod etc. are like new and the low power views are great. The other one a Polaroscope is pretty well the same condition. I like looking at them but I don't use them.

Edited by LDW47, 20 October 2024 - 03:33 PM.

[Senex Bibax]

Mine is the mid-late 1959 model 306 or 309 that precluded all the newer Tasco models ie 1960's forward. Its in the Tasco registry. The scope, accessories, wooden case, mount / tripod etc. are like new and the low power views are great. The other one a Polaroscope is pretty well the same condition. I like looking at them but I don't use them.

 

I'm guessing mine is a 7TE and newer than yours because of the styrofoam in the box. There isn't actually a model number on the scope but it has the old script-style Tasco logo, an RAO objective and serial number 960261.

[Bomber Bob]

Years ago, I predicted that the smaller / prettier Classics had the best survival chances after us Boomers are gone; and, I'm sticking with that.  And, I've been thinking about the finer wooden cabinets.  Empty they're not too heavy.  I could see some of our grandkids in their 20s / 30s using them to store off-season clothes, blankets, etc.  Stack 2 or 3 against a wall, and make a kinda curio display.  I can imagine visitors asking, What are those?  They're antique telescope cabinets. 

 

And maybe - just maybe - I can get a few complete kits to them that they'll hold on to for a while.  

 

Not ideal, but possible... 

[Kasmos]

Years ago, I predicted that the smaller / prettier Classics had the best survival chances after us Boomers are gone; and, I'm sticking with that.  And, I've been thinking about the finer wooden cabinets.  Empty they're not too heavy.  I could see some of our grandkids in their 20s / 30s using them to store off-season clothes, blankets, etc.  Stack 2 or 3 against a wall, and make a kinda curio display.  I can imagine visitors asking, What are those?  They're antique telescope cabinets.

 

And maybe - just maybe - I can get a few complete kits to them that they'll hold on to for a while.  

 

Not ideal, but possible... 

For better or worse right next to the tripod lamp!

[Bomber Bob]

For better or worse right next to the tripod lamp!

Are those still a Thing??

[Astrojensen]

For better or worse right next to the tripod lamp!

WE DON'T MENTION THE TRIPOD LAMP IN THIS HOUSE!  

 

 

Clear skies!

Thomas, Denmark

 

PS: 

 

PPS: Once you've seen a near mint Zeiss Traveler tripod reduced to a lamp tripod, as I have, you can never see them quite the same way ever again, without thinking of the scope that had to die to make that lamp...    

[Kasmos]

WE DON'T MENTION THE TRIPOD LAMP IN THIS HOUSE!  

 

 

Clear skies!

Thomas, Denmark

 

PS: 

 

PPS: Once you've seen a near mint Zeiss Traveler tripod reduced to a lamp tripod, as I have, you can never see them quite the same way ever again, without thinking of the scope that had to die to make that lamp...    

Don't worry I'm not a fan of the mod. I hate when a scope is advertised with that as a possibile use....and that goes for a Tasco let alone a Zeiss. I just couldn't help think of it with the concept of telescope boxes being used for decor storage.

[Kasmos]

Are those still a Thing??

I suppose so. Just last week a furniture catalog came in the mail and included one. 

[aa6ww]

100mm at F9 with FPL-53 is a nice 4" refractor to hold onto. 

 

- Ralph

 

And a SW100ED and some mounts and 163 eyep's and other odds and ends.  Big mopping up job to do here.

[Bomber Bob]

100mm at F9 with FPL-53 is a nice 4" refractor to hold onto. 

 

- Ralph

I'm gonna try to make my Dakin 4" F10 into a nice Display.  Backup Plan:  my FC-100.  I have an all-Tak rig for one of my 2 TS-65's...  the EQ needs a paint job -- may get JD to powder-coat it.  My rattle-can skills are not so good!

Edited by Bomber Bob, 21 October 2024 - 03:15 PM.

[CHASLX200]

100mm at F9 with FPL-53 is a nice 4" refractor to hold onto. 

 

- Ralph

It is right there with 2 FS102'S I HAD IN THE PAST.

[CarolinaBanker]

I’m in the acquisition phase, I’ve bought over the last few years a bunch of classic binoculars, 3 classic scopes (Cometron Co-62, Meade 226 and Apogee Widestar (well almost classic)) and a bunch of classic EPs. They all see starlight, I figure I’ve got another 4 decades to collect.

[tturtle]

Here’s my wall shelf unit - repurposed vintage wooden Sears telescope box. I left all the hardware on so it would be identifiable as a telescope box. 

Years ago, I predicted that the smaller / prettier Classics had the best survival chances after us Boomers are gone; and, I'm sticking with that.  And, I've been thinking about the finer wooden cabinets.  Empty they're not too heavy.  I could see some of our grandkids in their 20s / 30s using them to store off-season clothes, blankets, etc.  Stack 2 or 3 against a wall, and make a kinda curio display.  I can imagine visitors asking, What are those?  They're antique telescope cabinets.

 

And maybe - just maybe - I can get a few complete kits to them that they'll hold on to for a while.  

 

Not ideal, but possible... 

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Edited by tturtle, 22 October 2024 - 03:16 PM.

[CHASLX200]

Glad the scopes are out of the house and  in a cleaner place. So the next time i offer up a Hurricane fire sale ya all better jump before it is too late. This is gonna be norm now as we start getting canes every year.  Went from all the 60's since i was born until 2004 without any canes but one in 1985 that sat offshore 90 miles for 2 days. Now it is every year we are getting many hits all around me. The last two canes were not even that close and look at the bowl of water the first cane pulled up. That water came crashing thru the wall from the garage from the weight into the house. Just glad i spent the day getting stuff up high but could not save everything.

[Senex Bibax]

Here’s my wall shelf unit - repurposed vintage wooden Sears telescope box. I left all the hardware on so it would be identifiable as a telescope box. 

That must have been for one of those old 76mm RAO refractors...