Hey everyone,
I thought you would all want to check out my latest project. I'm currently in the process of building my first telescope! This is a great way to learn more about astronomy and telescopes! I'm giving a step-by-step instructions on how I'm going about it. Go to gstrike.blogspot.com/2007/03...ope.html to see! Pictures are soon to come!
Greg
I thought you would all want to check out my latest project. I'm currently in the process of building my first telescope! This is a great way to learn more about astronomy and telescopes! I'm giving a step-by-step instructions on how I'm going about it. Go to gstrike.blogspot.com/2007/03...ope.html to see! Pictures are soon to come!
Greg
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Re: Build your own telescope!
Thu, March 29, 2007 - 11:49 AMNice and informative blog you got there, Greg. As for the octagonal design for the tube, I highly recommend it. The first 8 inch scope I made back in the early 70's employed one which was painted a striking canary yellow with black end stripes about two inches wide.
If memory serves me well, I got the idea from a book named, "Standard Handbook for Telescope Making," by Noel Howard (I think that is the author's name). Great book. . .still can be found at larger libraries and perhaps at Amazon.
Martin -
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Re: Build your own telescope!
Tue, April 10, 2007 - 10:31 AMMartin,
Thanks for the reply and information. I'll see if that book is in the area some where.
If I read your comment right, you made an Octagon for your first 8"? Out of curiosity, do you remember how you went about joining your 8 pieces together? I have a couple good ideas but I'm not sure what the best way is. Also, is that scope still holding up?
Greg
P.S. To everyone else, I finally have some pictures of my progress posted. I did some painting yesterday. -
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Re: Build your own telescope!
Tue, April 10, 2007 - 5:38 PMIt was a long time ago. . .the early 1970's! But I do remember how I did it. If my memory is correct, the technique is outlined in the book I cited earlier.
It went like this. Using 2" x 2" wood, I constructed the end supports for the tube. One for each end. This construction was of two octagonally shaped "rings" with the inside diameter figured correctly for the 8 strips of wood to properly mesh which defined the tube. With these two end supports it was simple to position and brace and glue and then finish off the seams between pieces with a wood filler product. The resulting tube, if I have described it clearly, had two inch by two inch "ribs" on each end (on the outside of the tube) which completely circled and supported the strips that became the main body of the tube. The support ribs I painted black. The body of the tube was painted a bright canary yellow.
Hope this explains it. It is tough without a diagram.
--Martin
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Re: Build your own telescope!
Wed, April 11, 2007 - 11:00 AMOk great thanks! That actually is a method I haven't thought of yet.
I actually bought the book off Amazon thanks to your suggestion. I was able to find a used one in good condition for like $5.00 total. So hopefully that will come soon and I can take a look at the diagram.
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Re: Build your own telescope!
Wed, April 11, 2007 - 11:02 AMOh, also, how is it holding up? -
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Re: Build your own telescope!
Wed, April 11, 2007 - 3:48 PMI think you will never regret ordering the book. As for the scope, it was the first of two eight inch scopes I made from scratch -- starting with grinding the mirrors. Unfortunately, when I moved out of state and across the country in the late 1970's, the scope got left behind. I would not know where to start looking for it now. Presently, my scope is a 12.5 inch Meade Starfinder Dobsonian which I could not be happier with.
Keep those pictures fresh and let me know what you think of the book and what, if any, ideas you get from it and employ on yours.
--Martin -
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Re: Build your own telescope!
Sun, April 15, 2007 - 1:42 PMThanks again Martin, the book hasn't arrived yet, but I'm anxiously awaiting!
More progress on my project if you're interested! gstrike.blogspot.com/
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