Re: ATM 16" or 18" (first) DOBS

["Tom Krajci" <krajcit@det5wg57.barksdale.af.mil>]

> 2)  What's a good book for building the LATEST generation, LOW PROFILE
> DOB truss mounts, incl. measurements of truss blocks, rocker & mirror
> box sizes, etc., for figuring out minimum diagonal size, where exactly
> to position the focuser (horizontally and vertically) and all that good
> stuff).

Look up Techtron for their book "The Modern Dobsonian" (I got mine 
from Pocono Mtn Optics).  I've never built a large dob (yet) but I 
like the simple, back of the envelope approach the author takes, 
especially how the design makes the secondary cage fit in the mirror 
box.

Look up Astrosystems for their book on how to make big truss tube 
dobs.  More math involved here, but may be useful for calculating the 
balance point based on individual component weights and locations 
and your blueprints.

I just wish both books had provided more diagrams, etc. of 18 point 
flotation mirror cells.  That's the only part I'm uncomfortable about 
trying to sketch/design on my own at this point.

Tom Krajci

Capt Tom Krajci
B-52 Intelligence Officer
"There are only two possible outcomes in any war.
Operational success or intelligence failure!"
http://spur.barksdale.af.mil