Classic Cassegrain 240mm

[Pablito]

OK, I am sick (flue...) so I have a time to show you what I've done so far.

Light construction made of waterproof plywood and aluminium pipes. I am quite good equiped in tools so it was not very hard to do

[Pablito]

Most of time took me the main mirror cell. I prepared 18 support points using PLOP. Collimation bolts (M8) and solid springs make it stable. I have also attached 3 M5 bolts to prevent mirror from getting out when collimation bolt are unscrewed too much. I also want to give 3 M6 bolts to oppose the mirror cell from the end front (I hope you know what I mean...).

[Pablito]

Pipes will be cut when I get better. I wanted to use Moonlite dual speed focuser and bought one. But it turned out to have too small tube travel and I need other (this one is listed at astrobuysell.com). I ordered proper focuser (still on the way). I will use green laser pointer as a finder in standard bracket taken from 6x30 finder. The 3 curved vane spider I bought at 1800destiny.com

There are two pipes assembled but there will be four.

[dark knight]

Wow, you make it all look and sound so easy,,,,,,,Can't wait to see the finished project.

[Pablito]

Belive me, if you know what you do and you have tools, it's not so hard

I spent lot of time just thinking and thinking. Having a good plan is a half of the success.

[dark knight]

Well it's going to be an awesome scope, and for you, so much better than anything else on the market because you made it. Brilliant.

[Towa]

Excellent work, I bet it will be a beauty when finished.

[Pablito]

Hi again!

Had a brake in posting but no break in making the scope. I spent over 100 hours on it so far! But it was worth.

I prepared it for painting and flocking. I suppose it will be finished in a week

All inside of optical path will be flocked.

Just take a look.

[JAO]

Pablito

Thios looks a very fine telescope indeed. Can I ask where you got the optices for the Cass?

Regards

Adrian

[Rob]

What a project.. nice work.

[Pablito]

Can I ask where you got the optices for the Cass?

Adrian,

It was custom made optics set. Hand-polished, total accuracy is not worse than 1/8 lambda.

I posted at "for sale" 12" mirrors for R-C but it could be done Cassegrain system also. The source of the optics is the same as mine Cassegrain. Not cheap but good optics has it's price

[gary1968]

What a great project Pablito. It will be sooooo rewarding using a scope that you built yourself.

I wish you loads of luck and clear skies with it.

Gary

[Pablito]

Thanks Gary.

But there is one thing I havn't mentioned so far... I was forced to make the scope...

I bought mirrors a year ago, planned to build the scope and then my planes changed. Decided to sell mirrors but... no one wanted to buy it. It's not easy to build Newtonian but still to do, but everyone was frighten of building the Cassegrain.

So, I had to do it myself

The worse is that I will test it I will sell it. Need money for other project... Bigger of course

It's sad that a part of my heart, my child will go to the others... In the other side I will be happy when new owner will not be able to take a breath because of the views given by the scope

[dweller25]

Pablito,

Your skills are excellent.

I look forward to seeing the finished scope.

Will you be adding active cooling ??

[Pablito]

Active cooling will not be necessary. It is open construction so will be cooled all around

But it will be easy to adapt cooling.

[Pablito]

Latest photos. It should be finished this year

[Brunty12345]

wow that is going to be a beast

[MartinB]

That looks a beautiful piece of work, I really admire your talent. How much will the scope weigh.

What is the next project?

Keep the pictures coming

[barkis]

Pablito, I very much admire your DIY skills.

There is great satisfaction in making something yourself, and when that something is an astronomical Instrument, the task is very highly rewarding. It will be very sad if you need to sell it when it is finished, but you can be satisfied on two counts. The buyer will have a very classy Instrument thanks to your skill, and secondly, It will have enabled you to progress towards an Instrument of your choice. Everybody wins.

This is a very nice story, and it will have a nice ending.

Ron.

[Pablito]

Thank you guys

My heart sinks when I think about selling it... Like Monty Python said "Live is piece of s... when you look at it (...)" But I already think about next project. My wife resists but it's my destiny - 18" ultra compact Newtonian. I will take a half year break and then start it.

You will not belive but I am accountant, I studied economisc at University of Gdansk. But I love doing something in my garrage, it's stronger than me. I have to create!

[dark knight]

Can't wait to see it finished and your first light report,,

[Nova68]

Hi Pablito,

It is still available filters Lumicon (Filters: Lumicon UHC 2", Lumicon O-III 2", Lumicon H-Beta 2"). If so interested. Please give me a price. Can I pay with PayPal (as gift). Thanks

Michael

[Pablito]

Latest photo. Only small details left to do. If I had good weather I would take first light.

[dark knight]

;)Don't forget the main mirror Pablito...

[Pablito]

And secondary as well