Hi all, if many of you recall I was building a 12 inch F4 telescope. Mirror completed in the spring, came out about 1/14-1/16 wave, not bad for an F4!
I just completed the optical tube assembly, all parts handmade except the focuser. It is made of aluminum and carbon fiber, and the top and bottom come on and off easily with spring clamps in seconds, making it very easy for transport. The secondary has an indexing mechanism so can be stared easily and be in collimation when deployed. The mirror cell I built has 9 point suspension and easy access to collimation.
In the spring I just have to get the primary aluminized and build the dob base which should be a lot less complicated than this tube assembly. I will then bring it to star parties. It’s lightweight, easy to set up, and very portable .
Happy new year to all
Mario

Ha.. no fears. All burrs are carefully removed and I round sharp corners. I promise no injuries when you look through it

Mario

On Dec 31, 2024, at 4:48 PM, Jim N <aldeneastro@gmail.com> wrote:

Good "point"!

Jim

On Tue, Dec 31, 2024 at 4:22 PM William Waller <williamhwaller@gmail.com> wrote:

Sweet! 🤩

But watch out for the sharp corners 😯

Bill W

On Tue, Dec 31, 2024 at 3:20 PM Mario Motta <drmariomotta@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi all, if many of you recall I was building a 12 inch F4 telescope. Mirror completed in the spring, came out about 1/14-1/16 wave, not bad for an F4!
I just completed the optical tube assembly, all parts handmade except the focuser. It is made of aluminum and carbon fiber, and the top and bottom come on and off easily with spring clamps in seconds, making it very easy for transport. The secondary has an indexing mechanism so can be stared easily and be in collimation when deployed. The mirror cell I built has 9 point suspension and easy access to collimation.
In the spring I just have to get the primary aluminized and build the dob base which should be a lot less complicated than this tube assembly. I will then bring it to star parties. It’s lightweight, easy to set up, and very portable .
Happy new year to all
Mario

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Mario: Awesome!

John Hobbs
hobbs_john@verizon.net

 On Tuesday, December 31, 2024 at 03:20:50 PM EST, Mario Motta <drmariomotta@gmail.com> wrote:  

Hi all, if many of you recall I was building a 12 inch F4 telescope. Mirror completed in the spring, came out about 1/14-1/16 wave, not bad for an F4!
I just completed the optical tube assembly, all parts handmade except the focuser. It is made of aluminum and carbon fiber, and the top and bottom come on and off easily with spring clamps in seconds, making it very easy for transport. The secondary has an indexing mechanism so can be stared easily and be in collimation when deployed. The mirror cell I built has 9 point suspension and easy access to collimation.
In the spring I just have to get the primary aluminized and build the dob base which should be a lot less complicated than this tube assembly. I will then bring it to star parties. It’s lightweight, easy to set up, and very portable .
Happy new year to all
Mario

astro@lists.gaac.us
https://gaac.us
http://www.facebook.com/GAACpage