Alan White

I wouldn't worry too much, te ground looks so dry it would soak away quickly anyway. Nice job you are doing, but what a day to go for it on, hottest day so far this summer.

Welcome to SGL. The forum has a number of members who are from the Netherlands.

Looks wonderful Piero, good luck with tonight.

Just seen this image and I like others have said spent a lot longer looking around it than many images I have seen before. Like observing on the very best night ever.

You have been drawn to the dark side........... Good luck and enjoy Ags

My mount choice is a Giro type alt az for my refractors and SCT. Easy quick set up, no power needed, no alignment needed, all nice and simple. Manual Alt Az same as Alt Az on the Dob, all simple like me. The only power needed is for the dew heaters at certain times of the year and if a long session at a dark site takes place. Don't let the mounts scare you MSAmmon, they can be your friend. My Alt Az sets up almost as fast for the Refractor than the Dob does. At present I use a Altair Astro Sabre, but I did have a Skytee 2 and a Giro Ercole before this. Favourite was the Ercole, but gear itchy feet got the better of me and it was sold on, miss that one a lot.

Only one that 'Boris' approves of I should think, cats do rule the roost 😀 Francis, this is an amazing quality build (to be expected from you as a skilled woodworker of course). I look forward to the final completion and the scope install.

As an owner of a good ED Vixen 103s and a 250mm Orion Optics UK Dobsonian, I think I should offer my view on this one as well. My Dobsonian is my favoured winter tool for longer deep sky sessions and dark sites, My 103s ED is my favoured winter and summer tool for all other observing. The reason, poor seeing and LP at home, the 103s copes better with this. As others have said no or minimal cool down, unlike the Dob. The Vixen somehow at the magnifications I use at mainly 200x or far less, provides a better contrast image. My answer is you need two scopes for differing things. If I had to cull my scope further than I already have the Dob and my 8" Celestron would go, the Vixen ED103s would stay or be replaced with a 100mm Tak.

This is a common point of discussion between myself and Ed above. What hope do we all have when the weather says it is clear now, you then look outside and its thick cloud and raining! As Ed says and I fully agree >

Nice to see kit that encourages new entrants on a budget. Even nicer to see SW using white on more scopes.

Ratchet Straps, Carole. The ones used to hold down loads on lorries and trailers etc.

I have the same thoughts often myself Mark. Sold both and bought a used Nagler T6 7mm, which is rather nice, but left no cash for the 5mm range. Should have kept the ES 82's as they are not far off the Nagler if not the same in performance.

Nice one JOC. I looked out last night as the cloud partly cleared and considered asking for help with setting up. Didn't as unsure how long the gaps would last. At present I am not very mobile as have joint issues after a serious bout of food poisoning, hence need the help. Just hope the needing help passes and I get back to how I was before this.

M57 is one of my favourite objects, took me a long time to find it for some reason. It always makes me grin like a 5 year old in wonder each time I observe it.

Looks amazing John. As others have said, you always make things look so easy and well presented.

Wow, what great sketching. I wish I had the eye for a decent sketch, I try but it all goes out of scale quickly and looks like it is drawn by a six year old. You got some clear as well, lucky you.

Glad to see the build plan has moved along Ian, Hope the ED80 gets to be part of it.

Why put it back in the box? I would have it out proudly on display.

I have the 10x50 and recommend them strongly, I did try the 8x40 but thought them less well made. Use the 10x50 every time I want to take a look.

Good job James, is this all for scoping up the observatory? Not been fully engaged of lately as have been and still am a tad unwell.

My employer got so fed up with this option they now send all couriers away, even including work deliveries!!

Christmas before last the Amazon delivery team, lobbed all our items over next doors 6ft wall. They were ruined when we got them mid January of course! It amazes me how these odd delivery folks remain in a job to be honest.

As soon as I make any adjustment the whole secondary moves in a turning motion. I will make have a go at countersinking a washer or the milk carton fix. The SW ones just seem far simpler, yet more robust somehow.

Thanks for the input Andy. The OOUK already has a stainless washer fitted by the previous owner/s but it still turns sadly.

I am fed up with the rubbish secondary holder on my OOUK 10" dob. The damned thing does my head in when ever I adjust it, which at the minute is a number of times as I am playing with the scope! As soon as you make any minor adjustment the darned thing turns about and flops around. My old SW150p had a better made unit in it! Has anyone 'improved' the existing arrangement or should I just buy something better and stalk mounted? I know this is the DIY thread, thought it the most likely location for ideas. Thanks in advance.