Re: [ATM] Patterns of Testing: how we are messing up the hobby

[George Anderson <tillerman1@videotron.ca>]

Wood??? What an antiquated material to use when there are thousands and
thousands of spaceage plastics and metals that have absolutely no
character outside of being useful for heating ducts and drier hoses. The
ark was made from wood, let's join the 21th century
My 40"FL pine bodied newt never suffered from a change in focal length
or warpage during an observing session due to either heat or humididty,
and that included nights where the temp would drop from 85 degrees down
to 45 degrees with the condensation being so bad that the tube dripped.
Choosing the right wood and sealing it properly will give you a very
stable tester. I personally avoid the use of plywoods (unless I use lots
of bracing) and prefer to use solid wood (or even MDF) that has been
properly dried for things like the bases of testers.
Make any tester out of maple, cherry, or walnut, seal the wood properly,
use brass hardware and trim, and you will have something that is not
only rock steady, but the wife will let you keep and use it in the
dining room.

George Anderson
Montreal Canada

Clear skies and good health

Daniel Fundo wrote:
> 
> <<  Wood sucks as a material for focault testers.  It
> flexes, sucks up moisture, and doesn't always do what
> I want it to do. >>
> 
> Kevin,  Exactly how long is it taking you to do a foucault test??? <G>
> 
> Unless you are testing in the rain with wood pieces that aren't sealed,
> I doubt that the wooden components of a tester would change enough in a
> few minutes to affect your results.
> 
> The problems that I hear about wood are all due to folks not finishing
> it properly or attempting to overstep its natural limits.  There is a
> 400+ year old clock in Germany, made ENTIRELY of wood, and it still
> keeps accurate time.
> 
> I won't argue that "some" metal and "some" plastics make a better
> tester, but not everyone can work those materials (safely).  In any
> case, it all comes down to the accuracy and craftsmanship you are
> willing to put into your work!
> 
> *****-----
> Dan F.
> Secretary/MAS
> Memphis, TN
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> ATM mailing list http://www.atmlist.net/
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