Austin Fitch
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skywatcher 12" dob, celestron 114 eq, 10x50 binos
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« on: 01-Sep-2011 08:25:51 BST » |
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Hi guys, I've managed to persuade my wife to let me make a scope. I'm going to make an 18 inch, getting the blank for christmas! So stand by for me pestering everyone for advice!!  see you soon. |
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Daniel kenealy
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« Reply #1 on: 01-Sep-2011 09:15:06 BST » |
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thats cool me and barry are making a 16inch scope barrys already started hogging the blank out.
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Austin Fitch
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Posts: 18
skywatcher 12" dob, celestron 114 eq, 10x50 binos
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« Reply #2 on: 01-Sep-2011 09:27:29 BST » |
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Nice one! I think the thing that persuaded my missus, was the cost is so much lower. It's going to be a steep learning curve, but can't wait to get going. Just doing homework on different designs at the mo, I wonder if I should let my better half know that I can keep my 12 inch doing it this way? Better not!!
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Austin Fitch
Newbie
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Posts: 18
skywatcher 12" dob, celestron 114 eq, 10x50 binos
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« Reply #3 on: 01-Sep-2011 16:34:28 BST » |
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Just had a look at blanks, thinkin 500mm is the way foreward... In for a penny, in for a pound!!
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David Galvin
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« Reply #4 on: 01-Sep-2011 19:35:23 BST » |
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Tell your wife that the 12 inch is going to be the finder scope.
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brendan martin
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« Reply #5 on: 02-Sep-2011 14:38:03 BST » |
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What F ratio you goin for Austin, now that you have decided on a 20". Dont say below F4 |
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Graham Bell
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« Reply #6 on: 02-Sep-2011 19:26:41 BST » |
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You'll have to put some pics up Austin as you build. Should be a good project to watch
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Orion XT8i
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Austin Fitch
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Posts: 18
skywatcher 12" dob, celestron 114 eq, 10x50 binos
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« Reply #7 on: 03-Sep-2011 15:41:39 BST » |
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Certainly will do, it will be a while before I start as i'm getting the blank as a christmas prezzie! Plenty of time to collect bits and bobs needed for the build though!
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JULIE ORMONDE
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« Reply #8 on: 06-Sep-2011 08:42:29 BST » |
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Our astronomy group ahve been taking about making our own scope but the costs of the mirror put us off...though we still hanker to do it.
Where did you get your mirrror and how much did it cost?
We were thinking of a retractable scope with the rods so it could come appart easily....at least that was/is the dream.
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JULIE ORMONDE
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« Reply #10 on: 07-Sep-2011 13:17:46 BST » |
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It looks amazing...was it hard to do the mirror, and how did you overcome flaws in the mirror. In other words could we do it, though we'd never made one before, or should we try polishing a small mirror first? The telescope looks like a real crafmanship job...great work! I've always had the idea that making your own telescope would really tune you into how a telescope really works...but I suppose you could say that about anything
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brendan martin
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« Reply #11 on: 07-Sep-2011 13:55:05 BST » |
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Hi Julie, there are lots of pro's and con's to making your own mirror, making a smaller mirror first would help, doing a large mirror at such a short focal length did pose many problems not least testing the figure. There are many books available on mirror making but one of the best is "The Dobsonian Telescope" by Richard Berry and David Kriege.
cheers
Brendan
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