Amateur telescope building

[25585]

This

 

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=youtube+john+dobson&view=detail&mid=D98B67F6828924CED

to

 

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Largest+amateur+telescope&&view=detail&mid=6268F41CFED6295759A56268F41CFED6295759A5&FORM=VRDGAR

 

 

[John]

Are you going to have a go ?

[25585]

Dobsonian mount perhaps, but I don't have the patience for manual mirror grinding.

I was bemused at the seeming simplicity of John Dobson's focal length testing!

Perhaps a small long FL mirror might be worth a try, say 6 to 8" f8 minimum. My old 8" Fullerscope was that. I'll Google to see where I can buy a blank, grits & tool(s) from.

[RT65CB-SWL]

Beacon Hill Telescopes sell grits... or they used to, (and other ATM supplies). It has been a long time since I visited the site.  

[Chris]

Galvoptics also do mirror grinding supplies but they are a touch expensive. 

http://www.galvoptics.co.uk/optical-components/telescope-products-andamp-services/telescope-mirror-kit/

You can buy grits from Ebay (search lapidary carbon grit).

Also I'm sure I saw a 6" mirror blank for £28 inc UK shipping on Astrobuyandsell the other day.

I'm part way through the process with a 8.75" blank, so happy to share what little I know However, there are some real experts on the forum which I'm sure would chip in with a bit of guidance if you decide to give it a go.

[Chris]

Here you go:

http://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=130685

You can use a small iron dumbbell weight to hog out the curve until you reach the stage of making a tile tool.