[ATM] Tubing for Trusses

[stuart452 at earthlink.net (Stuart Hutchins)]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Torquil MacCorkle, III" <torquil@chemist.com>
To: "Stuart Hutchins" <stuart452@earthlink.net>
Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2004 10:01 PM
Subject: Re: [ATM] Tubing for Trusses


> Hello,
>
>     I am currently trying to build a 4.5" truss tube scope, can you give
me
> some websites with info on how i should do it?
> I have yet to find any websites with real info about build a small truss
> tube 'scope.
>
> Thanks,
> Torquil

Hi Torquil,

Well, the truss tube designs for amateurs came about with the bigger
Dobsonians, with 12 to 20 inch mirrors, in the late 1970's. and early 80's.
The whole purpose was to make these bigger scopes portable, because a big
solid tube is heavy and doesn't fit in a car.  But the truss is more
complicated and harder to set up.

Size 4 to 6 inch mirrors were common before the 70's.  An 8 inch was a
biggest scope most people made, and all the tubes were solid cardboard, wood
or metal because it is easier to build that way.  That's why you don't see
designs published for small trusses.  If you really want a 4.5 inch truss
tube to carry in your day-pack, you'll probably have to scale down a larger
design.  The balance point, though, will wind up near the middle, not down
near the mirror.

I'd check out some older classic books.  Build Your Own Telescope, by
Richard Berry is one.  Making Your Own Telescope, by Allyn J. Thompson is
another.  Surf to SkyandTelescope.com or Astronomy.com or Willmann-Bell.com,
or visit a library.

http://www.atmsite.org/  is one of the places I started surfing from.  Do a
Google search for Amateur Telescope Making.

BTW,  your e-mail came only to me.  I think to reply to the ATMList, you now
have to use "Reply All".

Have fun,

Stuart Hutchins


> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Stuart Hutchins" <stuart452@earthlink.net>
> To: <atm@atmlist.net>; "Kurt Clement" <kurt.clement@flashmail.com>
> Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2004 10:44 PM
> Subject: Re: [ATM] Tubing for Trusses
>
>
> > Kurt,
> >
> > Many people have used 5/8 or 3/4 inch diameter wood dowels for that size
> > scope.  Square poles can be ripped from 3/4 pine or cedar boards with
> > straight grain.  Aluminum tubing the same size also works well.  Look
for
> > surplus tent poles. In steel conduit, 1/2 inch is big enough, and very
> > cheap.  If one bends, 50 cents replaces it.
> >
> > Stuart Hutchins
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Kurt Clement" <kurt.clement@flashmail.com>
> > To: <atm@atmlist.net>
> > Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2004 8:00 PM
> > Subject: [ATM] Tubing for Trusses
> >
> >
> > > Hello List,
> > >
> > > New to ATM and have been lurking on the list for a couple of months.
I
> am
> > > planning to build a 6" f/8 Newt for my second scope (first was a copy
> > > scope) and really like the travel scope - truss tube construction for
> > > portability and ease of storage.  What type and size of tubing should
be
> > > used for the trusses on a small scope?  Is aluminum electrical conduit
> > > suitable, or is it too soft, or walls too thick?
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > > Kurt Clement
> > > Nixa, MO
> > >
> >
> >
>
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