Re: ATM mirror cells

[Brad Davy <bdavy@bigdog.fred.net>]

At 04:02 PM 8/1/97 -0700, Cary Chleborad wrote:
>I was thinking of manufacturing cells similar to the particle
>board ("high density wood product"-Orion's name) mounts that Orion
>telescope sells (pg 63 of current catalog).  I plan on RTV gluing the
>mirrors to the cells so there is less of a chance for a beginner to
>screw them up.

I used 3/4" Plywood and silicone glue (ala Berry's Build Your Own
Telescope) for my 8" f8 and am very happy with the results. Using 4 pair of
"push-pull" bolts to bolt the mirror cell to a ring fixed to the bottom of
the tube has proved to be very rugged in maintaining collimation.  Also, a
long focus (f8) has proved to be very easy to collimate.  The plywood was
$14 for 2'x4' Handy Panels, which are much easier to handle than full
sheets, although a little pricier.  For me, it was an excellent budgetary
compromise.