12 inch Aluminium OTA

[Glasspusher]

Andrew, good point about the dovetail. Retrospectively the lower cage should have been a little longer, having said that the scope sits quite nicely on the eq6.

John

[callump]

Very nice design John.

Do you find, or think that you'll find, that you'll need to tighten up all the bolts from time to time ?

You should do a write-up for Astronomy Now - they like this sort of project.

Callum

[yesyes]

That looks stunning. Excellent job!

And looks so unusual to see a truss design mounted on an EQ mount rather than a dob mount. Like it very much!!

But I was thinking the same as Andrew. The dovetail could be a bit longer and have a locking bolt that stops it from sliding downwards....

[Glasspusher]

Callum, yes I think I will probably need to tighten up a few bolts from time to time, the solution would be to used 'ni-lock' type nuts. I used these on the mirror cell.

Yesyes, thanks for that, I may well incorporate a locking nut.

John

[angusb1]

John, this is a wonderful project. How much does the finished scope weigh?

[Coco]

Incredible you made this from simple tools, am looking forward to the reports once you get it working..

If collimation doesn't hold you could always TIG welded it up and that should stiffen it nicely.

Great project and very well done..

[sbooder]

What an incredible bit of kit, my hat goes off to you, it really dose look so cool!

[Astro_Baby]

Really beautiful and elegant - how I wish I still had facilities to take on this kind of project.

[BAZ Senior]

You should be rightly proud of that, it looks magnificent, and thanks for sharing. I'll keep an eye on this to see how you get on when there is some clear sky.

[Glasspusher]

Thanks for the kind words, greatly appreciated.

John

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Brilliant work. Really looks professional (i.e. better than most factory made stuff, bar the most expensive). Have you had first light yet?

[Coco]

Any new images? have you first lighted it yet?

[Rob]

Its really nice.. how about the dew control?.

Rob

[Glasspusher]

Sorry about the lack of updates, had a few other projects to deal with. First problem I encountered with the open tube was with stray light....a major problem from my light polluted location. I have fitted a baffles which have helped a little, hopefully I will get round to posting some images! Rob, I am hoping the 'baffles' will help with dew control.

John

[NickK]

Not that I'm envious!! lIt looks the business. How stable is it on the EQ6?

[Glasspusher]

The scope sits quite nicely on the EQ6, not really had that much time to test it properly. I would say that it is near the limit for the mount.

John

[tonyh66]

Just a crazy off the wall how long is a piece of string type question,

Roughly How much would it cost me to get someone to grind a 20" mirror to F3.5-4? If I supplied the blank.

[ollypenrice]

Magnificent. And it will go on an EQ6, which is quite something.

Olly

[Moonshane]

Just a crazy off the wall how long is a piece of string type question,

Roughly How much would it cost me to get someone to grind a 20" mirror to F3.5-4? If I supplied the blank.

Northcote Hill Farmhouse

Northcote Hill Farmhouse

This is about the cheapest around and he's apparently very very good. The blank is a minor part of the cost overall.

[Gina]

Interesting And a magnificent job. I'd love to have a go at that. I'd have to save up a long time for the mirrors. Grinding mirrors is certainly beyond me, though I know some amateurs have done it.

[NickK]

Not considering an upgrade to the forthcoming EQ7?

[Glasspusher]

Yes, definitely possible! Any details of price, capacity etc?

John

[NickK]

http://stargazerslounge.com/sponsor-announcements-offers/114910-new-skywatcher-kit-incoming-5.html

There's an image of the EQ8 (EQ7) and some specs.. price is still unknown.

[Glasspusher]

Thanks Nick, looks the business!

John

[cervesca]

really does look well.