All hardwood 5 inch solid tube Dobsonian.

[GlenM]

20 hours ago, astrolunartick said:

Well Ive managed to get the scope finished with the carving inscription that my friend asked me to do. I applied 3 coats of yacht varnish. Yacht varnish isn't the nicest finish to apply but it is perfect for the conditions the scope will be under. The first proper collimation went very well. The secondary mirror only needed adjusting away from the spider a little to bring it to the centre of the light path. Its very satisfying when you look in the focuser and see your eye looking back perfectly framed and centred by both mirrors, with the primary centre donut decal bang on your pupil. then put a laser collimator in and its dead centre with no adjustments. I must be doing something right. 

I took the scope home last night and set it up outside. I only had a little time to test it out. It wasn't dark but i could see Jupiter and Saturn so those were the targets. I started with Saturn. Saturn and Jupiter were nice and sharp with the 23mm eyepiece considering the planets low locations in the sky. I could make out the Cassini Division and Jupiters belts with one of Jupiters moons just on the edge of the planet. With the 10mm eyepiece both planets were twice the size than when i was using the 23mm eyepiece. The view was a little blurred but that was dew to the altitude of the planets from the horizon. If i get the chance i will test again tonight with darker skies and on some deep sky objects. i want to see the moon through it but that mean being awake at 4 - 5am tomorrow and i have work. 

So heres some photos of the scope out in my gazing spot. 

Beautiful cabinet work.

 

Glen.

 

[Peter Drew]

The adage "A thing of beauty is a joy forever" personified!     😀

[Chris]

Wow! just stunning! Love the wood RDF, engraving, the workmanship and attention to detail. Really is a thing of beauty.