Mirror's arrived and now the fun starts

[Kaptain Klevtsov]

I've been trying to find a supplier of tape measures with 1/10 divisions for that reason. I'm thinking of Dobberising the Skelescope, as it is a bit too flimsy for serious imaging and a premade scale would be excellent, just wrap the tape measure round the correct sized disc and there you go. Great tool you're making Phil, you're going to miss it when the mirror goes for redoing. Just think, clear nights for about a week. :shock:

Captain Chaos

[GordonCopestake]

That would make a cracking 12" truss CC

[geppetto]

I'd considered a scale round the blocks CC but decided on the inclinometer

system to save having to level the scope or tweak the scale each time I set up.

Good idea about the tape, I'll shout you if I find anything on line.

Looking forward to seeing the Skelescope being "Dobberised" 8)

[Kaptain Klevtsov]

No rush Phil, I have so many plans and projects on just now its unreal. Kids bed, bedroom furniture etc. And work as well!

Captain Chaos

[geppetto]

Made a start on the AZ setting circle today.

Scrapped the idea of cutting a thin ply circle to draw the scale on

but opted instead, to paint the rim of the bottom base board white

and to mark the degrees directly to the paint.

The bottom board is 27" in diameter and so the scale has a good resolution.

Each degree occupies about 5.5mm of the scale.

The top base board will have a 2" diameter half circle cut into its edge with a pointer

to view the scale through and a red LED to illuminate it.

Just off to paint the OTA with it's top coat

[geppetto]

Upper base board with AZ scale viewing window cut out.

Base now ready for it's top coat of paint

[Kaptain Klevtsov]

Have you got a "slip to line up" bit organised for the AZ scale Phil? I'm guessing that the initial pointing north could be a pain without it. It's going to be a great Dob. setup when the paint dries.

Captain Chaos

[geppetto]

CC

Re the setup bit

Plan is to screw a piece of steel band in place of the missing rim

of the viewing window and then have a pointer on a small magnet

stuck to it and slideable for adjustments.

Hope that makes sense, will post a picture when it's on.

Winning post is in sight now, gone well really seeing as I got the

mirrors on the 16th of last month

[richard42]

looking VERY good!

any thoughts on where you can send the mirror to be sorted and have you found a secondary?

[geppetto]

Yep,

Mirror will be going here for recoating

http://www.galvoptics.fsnet.co.uk/telescope7.htm

No luck yet with a second hand 63mm secondary

[geppetto]

OTA paint is dry so putting it's bits back on.

Looks very cool with the satin black and the silver ALT blocks 8)

[Caz]

Looks very cool with the satin black and the silver ALT blocks 8)

Absolutely... 8)

[geppetto]

Thought up a name for the QDD whilst paiting last night.

Wanted it to give credit to Gaz for donating the mirrors and bits

and also to the folk on here for the hints and tips and encouragement 8)

So its name is....

The QDD will now be known as the starGAZer 12

[FLO]

Nice one 8)

[Caz]

I'm sure Gaz will feel highly honoured.... 8)

Caz

[richard42]

that is one cool looking beast 8)

[geppetto]

Scrapped the idea of a magnetic adjustable pointer for the AZ scale

because it would fall off and get lost in the dark and also the metal bar

that it slid on would rust.

Instead, gone for an aluminium bar with fixed pointer that will screw, loose

enough to slide, to the outer rim of the top mount board viewing window.

This gives me approx plus or minus 4 degrees of adjustment when setting the

scope to the AZ of a known star.

[GordonCopestake]

Looks great Phil, you should go into business!

[geppetto]

Last job done for today, a light for the AZ scale.

This is just a few bits from Maplin, a plastic box, small switch,

large red led and a battery holder with two AAA batteries.

The top of the led is painted out to stop light coming upwards.

The light box will be screwed on the top base board so that the

led illuminates the AZ scale window.

[Kaptain Klevtsov]

Been busy again then Phil. It looks the business now, and I like the name. Great job.

Captain Chaos

[geppetto]

AZ setting circle and scope mount finished today.

Sliding pointer works well as does the led light.

Got some strong black material from B&Q today to make a proper

shroud for the scope. This stuff is sold as a weed suppressor in gardens

and you get a lot for not too much money.

Most of it will also make a portable screen to hide from a couple of my

orange lights 8)

[GordonCopestake]

I need to make some circles for my dob when it turns up, I was thinking of using a red laser from a laser level for the indicator but that looks like it works great, much cheaper too!

[geppetto]

Well worth the effort of fitting setting circles Gordon.

With a bit of care in marking out the scales you can point at and find

most objects you want view.

Good idea about the laser, that's gone in my scribble book 8)

Trying to keep the bits of this project as simple as possible so anybody

who fancies a go might find some parts of use

[geppetto]

Big day for the starGAZer 12 today..

Final fit of all the components and pleased to find the scope

is in perfect balance in ALT with the tweak forward of the blocks

to counter the weight of the new focuser.

Moved the teflon blocks on the bottom AZ board 2" further towards the

center pivot bolt and this has given me a tad smoother AZ movement.

Just got to make the shroud and job done 8)

All collimated and ready for a first look at Orion through a 12", can't wait

[GordonCopestake]

Looks great Phil! Although not sure how easy that telrad will be to use. Have you got a quote from Galvoptics yet?