Dob build....

[estwing]

I'm thinking of building a big Dob...is there any essential tools i need for such a construction?

[Timebandit]

15 minutes ago, estwing said:

I'm thinking of building a big Dob...is there any essential tools i need for such a construction?

 

I would of thought a 18" Dob was a big Dob?. What size are you going for 25" ?    

One essentially is one big Mirror?

 

[estwing]

seeing how easy it was for Damian to lift his 22" something bigger should fit the bill

[swamp thing]

A drill press is extremely useful mate. Specially when building the cell.

I built my dob before I owned one and had to use my morticer, hardly ideal but it can double as a pillar drill for small holes.  

[mapstar]

26 minutes ago, estwing said:

I'm thinking of building a big Dob...is there any essential tools i need for such a construction?

Table saw 

Router

Pillar drill/press

Angle grinder 

Welder

Wood glue

Milling machine

Lathe

And a Faulksy to put it all together 

 

[Singlin]

I did not have the time or confidence to build one from scratch so therefor bought a kit.

Link to the kit:

https://www.astrosystems.biz/telekits.htm

 

 

Link to the build:

 

 

 

 

[niallk]

A gain of 1 mag over an 18" is what... 28"?!?! 

[Moonshane]

If you get the pieces cut to size at the woodyard I think you could get away with 

Router

Router table

Jigsaw

Drill press

 

 

[estwing]

What would be the best wood to use?

[Moonshane]

Definitely good quality birch ply. It's about double the price of standard exterior grade ply but worth every penny. You'll see why when you cut it.

[Beulah]

Standard ply is full of voids...

Good timing this thread as I am putting together a supplies list myself... got the tools already with having a woodworking hobby. 16 incher will be mobile by the end of 2017

Wish I had the metal work skills of faulksy - I have been jonesing after that fab ground board for ages now. Not to mention the mirror cell!!!

Was musing about utilising a washing machine spider but knowing the rubbish alloys used after taking an old one apart recently ...

 

[swamp thing]

57 minutes ago, estwing said:

What would be the best wood to use?

I used birch ply for my builds to date. However I have seen some laminate boards that look very nice indeed and am tempted to utilise them on a future build. Not sure I can recommend them as yet though they may be worth a look. 

Have a look matey

[Beulah]

12 minutes ago, swamp thing said:

I used birch ply for my builds to date. However I have seen some laminate boards that look very nice indeed and am tempted to utilise them on a future build. Not sure I can recommend them as yet though they may be worth a look. 

Have a look matey

I've worked with this stuff before - it's not really suitable for the outside. It's shrink wrapped - you have to acclimatise it to where the finished product will be sited. More suited for internal furniture.

 

Birch ply ftw!

 

[swamp thing]

2 hours ago, Beulah said:

I've worked with this stuff before - it's not really suitable for the outside. It's shrink wrapped - you have to acclimatise it to where the finished product will be sited. More suited for internal furniture.

 

 

 

 Wood rots and all ply de-laminates if left outside. It's the sealing or finish that prevents it. If correctly treated and sealed I see no issues. 

[estwing]

https://sites.google.com/site/thedobsonfactory/ I really like this design 

[faulksy]

tig welder calv

[estwing]

i've seen mirror cells made with box aluminium whats this like to work with?

[mapstar]

Just now, estwing said:

i've seen mirror cells made with box aluminium whats this like to work with?

Easy Calv take a look at my build. A little fab shop will weld it up for you for beer money 

[estwing]

would it be a lot lighter than steel....worth the extra cost?

[estwing]

https://b13994d1-a-62cb3a1a-s-sites.googlegroups.com/site/thedobsonfactory3/600mm-dobson/50.jpg?attachauth=ANoY7cqGEDc0kMx5Fmabk9Ky18GbGd-T0jNrY9asso9XNZYrbpKJ360sH1gL2qV-jh-ufvSTSypHPpTpeK-2cWJ9B83SVYnG3vPzjAkOvABplpVeSTvtR1JLQIB_zv6sN7d0C55WiqtAPGbksDUymsMbWJfazBW7XE4UGk5lQsFFUTPj-Xj7l0OEI3qwWMLLfE46H0uzgAVxIe4ujiVeCYkd8l1Be0gndYyIQGwSfl_WBcLJ77KtP8Q%3D&attredirects=0

[faulksy]

3 hours ago, estwing said:

https://b13994d1-a-62cb3a1a-s-sites.googlegroups.com/site/thedobsonfactory3/600mm-dobson/50.jpg?attachauth=ANoY7cqGEDc0kMx5Fmabk9Ky18GbGd-T0jNrY9asso9XNZYrbpKJ360sH1gL2qV-jh-ufvSTSypHPpTpeK-2cWJ9B83SVYnG3vPzjAkOvABplpVeSTvtR1JLQIB_zv6sN7d0C55WiqtAPGbksDUymsMbWJfazBW7XE4UGk5lQsFFUTPj-Xj7l0OEI3qwWMLLfE46H0uzgAVxIe4ujiVeCYkd8l1Be0gndYyIQGwSfl_WBcLJ77KtP8Q%3D&attredirects=0

that link doesn't work cal

[mapstar]

6 minutes ago, faulksy said:

that link doesn't work cal

Worked for me shows the rivetted engine turned kriege and berry type cell on the rear of the dob 

[faulksy]

couldn't see it as a down load on phone

dividers, protractor,square,good straight edge

[estwing]

Still not sure if the extra cost is worth the weight advantage 

[swamp thing]

You could do it half and half like I did mate.

Ally triangles and steel frame?