RE: ATM "more normal" scope pix

[Paul LeFevre <paull@lucasarts.com>]

>    What I am trying to get and  or see is scopes that I could actually
>build myself.  My problem is that I don't have a work shop (either metal or
>wood), I don't have a lot of tools (and actually those that I do have, I'm
>not very good with).

Chris,
I was (mostly still am) in the same boat as you.  Built my first dob with
nothing more than a jigsaw and hand drill, and did most of the construction
in the living room -- to my wife's dismay :)  Check out the results -- and
how much I've learned and improved, mostly thanks to this list! -- at
http://www.slip.net/~lefevre/scope.htm.

IMHO, building a scope is a real work of love.  Most of us do it for the
satisfaction of doing it ourselves, and for the joy of using what we've made
under the stars.  If you enjoy doing it, and you build an optically
competent scope, then you've made a great start even if it doesn't have a
cutting-edge design or the best workmanship in the world.  However, what
happened to me after building that first one was I realized how much I
enjoyed building scopes, and how much pride I took in the finished work.
This led to a desire to improve my skills, to learn more about optics,
woodworking, etc., and to want to produce some instruments that look as good
as they work.  I'm starting to do that, and hopefully it's a path I'll be on
for the rest of my life.  It doesn't matter if you want to start simple and
don't have many skills...everyone here will be happy to help you start out,
learn more, and improve as you grow in this "hobby" we all love!  Come on
along for the ride...

Paul