44 replies to this topic

[Kasmos]

The rings are unmistakably from a Cleveland Instruments telescope, but I don’t know about the rest of the mount. It doesn’t look like any of the other Cleveland mounts that I have seen before. The legs are unique also. 

My guess it's a later lesser known Cleveland Instruments Mount.

 

It's possible it's a mash up of parts, but like you said, look at the rings

 

https://www.cloudyni...mics/?p=8954807

Edited by Kasmos, 31 March 2025 - 03:04 PM.

[YourNotSirius]

The OP was of no help. I'm still waiting for someone to copy the dope from the FB ad along with any images. Then maybe the old man can contact one of his friends back in Ohio to check it out. If that does not happen it's not that much of a lose and one less monster to trip over!

 

Q

[Cavs56]

I looked on facebook Geneva OH and it wasn’t there a couple of days ago.

[YourNotSirius]

I looked on facebook Geneva OH and it wasn’t there a couple of days ago.

OKAY. It must have found a new home.

 

Thanks,

 

Q

[apfever]

The link in entry #8 shows it's still there like it has been for 32 weeks.

[CHASLX200]

The link in entry #8 shows it's still there like it has been for 32 weeks.

Gonna be for another 32 weeks.  

[mfalls]

The link in entry #8 shows it's still there like it has been for 32 weeks.

Well alrighty then. Here is info from ad. Seller is David Meister

 

Details
Condition
Used - Good
Great large telescope..not sure the make but could be a vintage Meade f-8. Has a set of eyepieces that are included but not pictured. I just don’t use it much anymore.
Can meet at vrooman road or Madison Walmart

 

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[ccwemyss]

The UO Ortho eyepieces are probably worth about $200 alone. Typically go for around $75 each. 

Chip W. 

[deSitter]

Well alrighty then. Here is info from ad. Seller is David Meister

 

Details
Condition
Used - Good
Great large telescope..not sure the make but could be a vintage Meade f-8. Has a set of eyepieces that are included but not pictured. I just don’t use it much anymore.
Can meet at vrooman road or Madison Walmart

 

474639050_905537608421840_1941948832696937197_n.jpg 473211508_1124262622524321_116410439332293968_n.jpg 475043525_1552451932102035_3214394399814890501_n.jpg 475306717_8921533941298011_6176887380062219678_n.jpg 474647380_958612712479292_1968769308664106672_n.jpg

 

I was making a tripod tray spreader and needed a large metal knob - ordered from McMaster-Carr - I was amused to receive something that looked like it was from a WW-2 submarine - marked with a Cleveland based foundry (spacing out the name). More or less like these clamp knobs. Cast aluminum. I'll bet these are from the same foundry. As Chip said, the eyepieces are worth $200.

 

-drl

[Brent Campbell]

Well, value is always in the "eye" of the beholder. Yes, maybe a bit of a pun here.

 

But old scopes I can respect. I always have to be careful on applying modern standards to older equiptment. Back in their day, these were race horses, keep in mind, a lot of enthusiasts were making and rolling their own back in the day.

 

Applying modern standards risks turning one's nose up on a great long lasting visual telescope.

 

Will it be a great grab and go telescope to a star party...um, no.

Will it ever be a great astrophotograpy platform...er, no.

Will the mount ever be as accurate as a modern mount...no again.

 

BUT IT IS WHAT IT IS, and it very unfair to both the telescope and the efforts put in on designing it for the scientific public back in the day, when we had not even been to the moon yet, and satilites were still in their infancy, and Elon Musk was not even a good time yet in the back seat of a car.

 

THAT...is what I see...

I once had a vintage 12 inch starliner.  Carl Zambuto graciously tested the mirror for me.  It was at best a two wave mirror with a turned down edge.  I ended up paying Steve Swayze a thousand dollars to regrind the mirror.  Eventually I sold the whole thing in frustration to Clamchip.  I lost a little on that transaction.  
 

Bottom line, even if it’s unfair to judge scopes by modern standards you still need to consider the value.  Sometimes old scopes hold up to the value  of newer equipment, sometimes they don’t.  If they don’t I find no remorse in parting them out.

[deSitter]

I was making a tripod tray spreader and needed a large metal knob - ordered from McMaster-Carr - I was amused to receive something that looked like it was from a WW-2 submarine - marked with a Cleveland based foundry (spacing out the name). More or less like these clamp knobs. Cast aluminum. I'll bet these are from the same foundry. As Chip said, the eyepieces are worth $200.

 

-drl

 

OK I checked - Jergens, Cleveland 12, Ohio - before zip codes! Ring a bell anyone?

 

-drl

[YourNotSirius]

Oh carp! The old man says this cat lives only about 20 minutes away from where he used to live. Good grief! This is going to get bothersome. I just know it will.

 

The EPs aren't even an issue. We have plenty of them.

He believes that is an old Cleveland Astronomics mount. Not certain because there were a few very short lived companies in Cleveland in the 50s and 60s.

The fact that there is no zip code means it is pre-1965, according to my dad.

 

Now you all have him chomping at the the bit! I thank you but, OY VAY!

 

Q

Edited by YourNotSirius, 07 April 2025 - 09:10 AM.

[deSitter]

Oh carp! The old man says this cat lives only about 20 minutes away from where he used to live. Good grief! This is going to get bothersome. I just know it will.

 

The EPs aren't even an issue. We have plenty of them.

He believes that is an old Cleveland Astronomics mount. Not certain because there were a few very short lived companies in Cleveland in the 50s and 60s.

The fact that there is no zip code means it is pre-1965, according to my dad.

 

Now you all have him chomping at the the bit! I thank you but, OY VAY!

 

Q

 

No - that's my part, which is very similar to what is seen on the scope.

 

-drl

[YourNotSirius]

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOKAY! The plot thickens. lol

 

The old man has been reaching out to his club members in Ohio. We'll see what happens. Hmmmmmm... My sister in law has a FB account. Maybe I can get her to check it out. It's worth a try.

 

 

Q

[shootingsta98]

If memory serves me correctly, the mount castings look like what University Optics offered in kit form back in the early 80's - I think they may have briefly sold finished mounts, too. Anyone have any old University Optics catalogs to check? The complete telescope looks be amateur assembled from parts provided by various vendors.

Edited by shootingsta98, 10 April 2025 - 08:28 AM.

[shootingsta98]

I remember buying cast aluminum end rings from University Optics back in the 1970's for my homemade 6" F10 reflector. They were a great source for telescope making parts. 

[shootingsta98]

Found this from the 1991 University Optics Catalog. Check out the mount castings.  The mirror cell, focuser, end rings, finder, and the eyepieces on that telescope could have all been ordered from University Optics. 

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Edited by shootingsta98, 10 April 2025 - 08:29 AM.

[YourNotSirius]

Excellent researching people. It is getting interesting.

 

Q

[YourNotSirius]

We are in the process of acquiring this beast. Looks like the old man may be going home to visit his old stomping grounds soon.

 

Q

[apfever]

Awesome.