Re: ATM LARGE ALUMINUM TUBES

[Aplanatic@aol.com]

Peter Hirtle wrote:

> I looked at my sculling oars in response to questions about truss tubes 
>  but came up with the same conclusion.  At over $300 a pair you would have 
>  to be pretty serious about your telescope.  But they are nice light 
>  tapered carbon poles a little under 3 meters long!

I am making my 13.1" Cass out of graphite-epoxy golf-club-driver shafts.  The 
measured TCE is less than 2 ppm/C and they can be obtained for as little as 
$8.50 each from Golf Smith.  Unfortunately, they are less than 45" long and 
therefore not suitable for large truss structures.  

--Dave Rowe--