Thanks for the input on the wood tube issue. I hadn't thought of using pipe flanges for the ends, but that sounds like a good idea. About a year ago I built a strip-planked canoe out of red cedar, and just threw away the surplus strips a couple of weeks ago. Now after pondering my scope tube day after day and reading all the advice, I think I may go with a strip plank method like you recommend. I can look at that canoe in my garage and know how nice the scope would look using that method...too bad I pitched those strips, although they were only a quarter inch thick. I think I'd make the tube a bit thicker than that, and probably out of a hardwood instead of cedar. Thanks again...
John "Tonight I start 12 micron grinding" Runchey
On Aug 3, 10:32am, Bob Madden wrote:
> [snip]..
> Here is my idea: Make a fixture with circular disks that you can strip
> plank around, but on the ends place floor pipe flanges at the center.
> Insert short sections of pipe to act as bearings to rotate the tube on.
> Design a fixture to this that a router can be placed in and slowly moved
> the length of the tube. When the adhesive on the strip planking has
> cured, slowly rotate the tubing, and with the router running carefully
> plane down the thickness to the desired dimension. When finished remove
> the internal fixture finish sand all surfaces and paint with the desired
> finish.
>
> I have also been thinking about doing this to make a form for casting resin
> re-enforced fiberglass tubes.
>
> Bob
>