Converting a SW 16” Flextube Dobsonian to a Truss tube Dob.

[LondonNeil]

Nice clamps, nice build. 

How long do you think the scope will take you to set up when all finished?

[tomato]

57 minutes ago, LondonNeil said:

Nice clamps, nice build. 

How long do you think the scope will take you to set up when all finished?

Thanks, the fully assembled scope will live in my garage, my granddaughter as part of her A level Design project will design and make some wheel barrow handles to trundle it round to the back garden. A quick collimation and it should be good to go so I estimate about 10 minutes for this set up. 
For transport to a dark site it will strip down to the rocker and mirror box, the truss tubes and the secondary cage. This will take about 20 minutes to set up with two of us on the job, I reckon.

[LondonNeil]

20 minutes isn't bad at all I reckon.  I am guessing it'll be heavy, but being able to dismantle and easily fit inside a car will be such a boon

Edited June 7 by LondonNeil

[tomato]

Yes, I don’t think any 16” scope can be classed as light weight, but I’m hoping it will be a distinct improvement on the original Skywatcher flextube, that design was just too much for me.

[LondonNeil]

I bet,  I have experience of the 12" and that only just fits in my octavia. 

Big scopes are great in theory but....hmm.

[tomato]

We did a successful focus test last night, the cage had to be raised about 15mm to put the focuser tube at half its travel with the star focused. On to the altitude bearings next…