Joseki Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Hi, I've just signed up so I thought I should introduce myself (rather than just start posting questions...).I'm probably not a proper astronomer just yet (working on it) - as my first two experiences have been failures . Firstly many years ago I remember sneaking a go with my Dad's small & old reflector - only to try inserting the mounting pole into the focuser hole - making nice pretty curves on the secondary (in my defence I think being able to do that was a design flaw). Fast forward to the near present and I've got children of my own - and a 10" mirror from ebay. Yes foolish foolish person that I am (but I have fun). Well that project isn't dead just yet but the solid wood construction (OSB board 1.5 cm thick), homemade mirror cell (based on Richard Berry's book design) and spider weighs so much it's going to get dismantled as soon as I can get round to it (I haven't even tried collimating it, it's that horrible). As I said to my wife - a very useful learning experience (trying not to mention the f word - failure). I had a nice long chat with the chap from Beacon Hill telescopes - very nice guy, about buying an aluminium OT. However the follow up plan is to have a go at making a copy of a DobStuff lightweight http://www.dobstuff.com/ and buying decent components - looks doable I think.That's going to take ages though so I'm plotting to get a smaller grab and go telescope. Current thinking is the Celestron Heritage 130p flextube (though I would prefer to spend more like £50 really). I was thinking about the 76mm tabletop dob but I got aperture fever just for this smaller 'temporary' scope (though the 130p looks like it will survive me completing the 10" and be pretty handy for years to come). I am a bit of a dreamer and I have already started to think about modding the 130p (lazy susan bearings worth it on a scope that size? - I have some spare, velcro fastened orienteering compass, tripod mount adaptor etc).If anyone's from York - no you probably don't know me (yet), we just moved up last year and I hardly ever have time to go out on an evening (2 small children). I just signed up to YorkAstro forum though (more sensible nick - JHughes there) and will be joining that soc. when I actually have some free time.p.s. does anyone know where to buy 1 inch aluminium tubes (1-2 m long) that is anodised black?p.p.s. Joseki refers to my other hobby - a board game called Go (aka Baduk or Weiqi depending on your preferred Asian language).ahem. back to work.John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseki Posted September 26, 2012 Author Share Posted September 26, 2012 Oh, and I think it's safe to say I hope to do most viewing from my back garden in the near future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lenny147 Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Welcome to SGL John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinker1947 Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Welcome to SGL, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul schofield Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Hello and welcome to SGL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Spock Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Hi John, welcome to SGL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swamp thing Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Hi JohnWelcome to the SGLI built a 10" Dob using the "Richard Berry" book and have to say it works extremely well and I don't find it any heavier than any commercially built one.Saying that though mine is f/4.5 not the f/6 like the books Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marki Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Hi John and welcome from a fellow York resident! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glowjet Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Hi John and welcome to SGL, try Minster Engineering in the York Layerthorpe Indst Est for your alloy tubing, it won`t be anodised but at least you will be able to spray or paint it as an alternative John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chesty Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 welcome to sgl john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sologuitarist61 Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Hello John and welcome to SGL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tich Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Hi & welcome to SGL John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cotterless45 Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Welcome, by the looks of things on the box, I'd start building a boat, Nick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesF Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Welcome to SGL.The 130P is an excellent scope for the money, I think. It's not perfect, but you could spend ten times and and still not get something perfect. Well worth the difference in price over the 76 I'd say.James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorningMajor Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Hi John and welcome from me tooAnyone attempting to build their own telescope is a true astronomer in my eyes!Good luck - let us know how you get on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToxoLight Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Hi John and welcome to the lounge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stellawolf Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Hi John & welcome to the SGL & forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingergeek Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Hi there and welcome to SGL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseki Posted September 26, 2012 Author Share Posted September 26, 2012 Thanks guys! Nice to be welcome.Swamp thing - yes I guess it should have been okay weightwise though I had real problems finding an optical tube. I'm not good at ringing people up to ask and I spent far too long searching for sonotube in the UK, so the optical tube is made out of 1.5 cm thick OSB board (I'm fairly fit but that is very hard for me to lift). Both options I came up with in the end - Beacon Hill or importing two BlackLite tubes + a connector worked out about £200 so I figured I might as well go for the trendy scope design I had my eye on as a 'some day' project. Well if it works out I'll certainly be showing it off here Thanks for the company glow jet, it might be worth asking them how much they'd charge for a 12" tube whilst I'm on the phone/email. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesM Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Hi John and welcome to the forum.Clear skiesJames Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave S Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Welcome on in John.Dave... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseki Posted September 26, 2012 Author Share Posted September 26, 2012 I just discovered Astroboot, so a pretty exciting day all in all. I bought the tube of a 10" SW Flextube (too short by 30cm as it is though but at 50 pounds it's half the price of the router I was going to buy), wimping out of the original plan. I'll have to see if it's going to be another learning experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
breezy Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 wotcha mate,welcome to the forum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
todd8137 Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 Hi and welcome to Sgl ,after five years I still feel like am learning some thing new every day so battle on,most if not all use there back gardens so do not feel alone there,join a local grop who may have a dark site,cheers pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charon Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 Hey John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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