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Webster Telescopes Forum :: View topic - 28" Scope Build
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28" Scope Build
http://webstertelescopes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=121		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  MarkV [ Wed Apr 07, 2010 10:28 pm ]
Post subject:  28" Scope Build
Hi All,

I’m building a 28” F3.65 scope using parts and advice from Webster Telescopes. Thought I’d share a few pictures of the story so far. I’ll update the pics as the build progresses. Any comments or questions would be great!

I started by getting lucky and finding a brand new Steve Kennedy mirror set. The mirror was made a few years back and had been through two owners, but never put in a scope! I decided to buy a bunch of components from Webster. I’ve also relied on the good will of Eric Webster who has provided great advice and even some dimensions on the mirror box and UTA of their scopes.

So far I’ve learned that building a scope is a whole lot of fun, but man, it takes a ton of time! Next time around, maybe I’ll buy….just dreaming her, but maybe give in to the blissful insanity of a 40”?!?

Regards,

Mark

Attachments:
File comment: Most of the wood parts
wood_peices_parts.JPG
wood_peices_parts.JPG [ 173.52 KiB | Viewed 22674 times ]
File comment: The powered groundboard
groundboard.JPG
groundboard.JPG [ 189.52 KiB | Viewed 22675 times ]
File comment: Used hockey pucks for the feet. This one holds the power connector for the ground board.
hockeypuck_pgb.JPG
hockeypuck_pgb.JPG [ 177.84 KiB | Viewed 22675 times ]
Author:  MarkV [ Wed Apr 07, 2010 10:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 28" Scope Build
More pics

Attachments:
File comment: An altitude bearing from Webster. I had them anodized black
altbearing.JPG
altbearing.JPG [ 172.72 KiB | Viewed 22668 times ]
File comment: The rocker box. Note the semi-circular cut out in the back corner. This is for the Servocat altitude roller.
rocker.JPG
rocker.JPG [ 166.57 KiB | Viewed 22670 times ]
File comment: The mirror box and UTA rings
mirrorbox_rings.JPG
mirrorbox_rings.JPG [ 166.86 KiB | Viewed 22669 times ]
Author:  MarkV [ Wed Apr 07, 2010 10:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 28" Scope Build
Last pics for April 7

Attachments:
File comment: UTA tubes cut to length
uta_tubes.JPG
uta_tubes.JPG [ 186.05 KiB | Viewed 22666 times ]
File comment: The first coat of camo black paint to the mirror box
painted_mirror_box.JPG
painted_mirror_box.JPG [ 183.14 KiB | Viewed 22666 times ]
Author:  lightyear [ Thu Apr 08, 2010 2:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 28" Scope Build
Mark.
That looks awesome. Keep us updated. Can't wait to see the finnished product.
-David.
Author:  Eric [ Thu Apr 08, 2010 4:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 28" Scope Build
Mark,

Great craftsmanship!

Your joints give you bragging rights for sure.
Author:  MarkV [ Fri Apr 16, 2010 10:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 28" Scope Build
Slow but sure progress...a couple of more pictures form this week.

Attachments:
File comment: Mirror box cover
mirrorboxcover.JPG
mirrorboxcover.JPG [ 200.92 KiB | Viewed 22597 times ]
File comment: Mirror box with the baffle and holes for trusses, bearings, mirror cell, and cables
mirror box with baffle.JPG
mirror box with baffle.JPG [ 167.86 KiB | Viewed 22596 times ]
File comment: Rocker box with the ServoCat azimuth motors installed.
servocataz.JPG
servocataz.JPG [ 200.67 KiB | Viewed 22595 times ]
Author:  MarkV [ Sun Apr 18, 2010 11:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 28" Scope Build
The mirror box in the rocker box. Did this both to test the fit and to find the center point on the altitude axis (for the altitude encoder). I used a method found on the ServoCAT yahoo group. It consisted of shining a red laser on the altitude bearing and finding the location where the laser dot did not move relative to the altitude bearing when moving the mirror box in the altitude axis.

The Webster altitude bearings look nice anodized black!

Attachments:
mirrorandrocker.JPG
mirrorandrocker.JPG [ 177.01 KiB | Viewed 22573 times ]
Author:  lightyear [ Mon Apr 19, 2010 4:08 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 28" Scope Build
Wow! Looks really awesome. Sturdy & solid. I hope it's not too big to get up the basement stairs & out the door. LOL! ;) I enjoy working with wood, but have'nt picked-up a project in many years. Maybe I should make a Cats-perch chair, or something? I think the only thing stopping me is I already have too many hobbies. Life's too short & this silly work-thing gets in the way. Hopefully that will change with next week's lottery! -David.
Author:  MarkV [ Mon May 10, 2010 9:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 28" Scope Build
Thanks for all the encouragement! Thankfully I have double doors exiting my basement, so the scope is not forever trapped!

Follows are some more photos

Attachments:
File comment: Mirror box with ServoCat and Markless Stalks
stalks.JPG
stalks.JPG [ 171.48 KiB | Viewed 22523 times ]
partialuta.JPG
partialuta.JPG [ 180.73 KiB | Viewed 22524 times ]
File comment: Webster mirror cell (sling not yet installed). The bearings on these are awesome!!
mirror cell.JPG
mirror cell.JPG [ 182.69 KiB | Viewed 22524 times ]
Author:  MarkV [ Tue May 25, 2010 10:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 28" Scope Build
Got the mirror installed and the UTA finished. Getting closer to first light, hopefully within the next couple of days!!

Attachments:
File comment: Mirror installed in the mirror box.
mirrorinstalle.JPG
mirrorinstalle.JPG [ 185.01 KiB | Viewed 22493 times ]
File comment: UTA top view. Note screwdriver for scale!
uta2.JPG
uta2.JPG [ 201.56 KiB | Viewed 22493 times ]
File comment: UTA side view
uta1.JPG
uta1.JPG [ 200.32 KiB | Viewed 22493 times ]
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