White Light Solar Filter for a 4" Refractor

[bomberbaz]

So I wanted to make a filter with some left over from my first successful effort. So I thought a 4" drainpipe block might work, and it did. So here goes.

It was a little too big so fluffy past of velcro was used to act as a pad/filler.

Cut a hole and smooth off with dremmil

Sandwich the Baader solar film between 2 pieces of hard cardboard, paint the sun facing piace black.

Insert the cardboard/solar film buttie into the drainpipe block.

Presto, a solar filter that is very snug with no chance of being dislodged (easily)

(Sorry forgot to take better pictures regarding the actual making of solar sandwich)

[JemC]

Ingenious Steve

can see a trip to DIY store coming on

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Very nice work!

[Moonshane]

Lovely job mate.

 

[bomberbaz]

Thanks guys, I am very pleased with the result. Its as good, if not better than the shop bought versions. 

As for safety, I think the scope would blow over before the wind dislodged it too, really is a firm fit.

[bomberbaz]

I was using this the other day at a mates house and we had some fab views through it. A note for anyone trying out white light, the views were far better with more detail when I slapped a ND filter on the eyepiece with 12.5% light transmission. I think a moon filter or similar might yield similar results.