RE: ATM Not hard

[BOB PRABOWO <BOB@bahana.co.id>]

Hi Asaf,

This is from one beginner to another.
>So why is it that people say that the biggest aperture telescope who 
        someone can build by himself is 16"? 
Who said that? Dan Baken built a 41" telescope. Others in the list have
built 20" or bigger telescope, check their pages. So IMO, anyone can
build a tleslecope as big as they want provided that they have the
necessary skills. Like woodworking skill and of course have experience
in grinding mirrors.

One of the difficult part in making a telescope is the woodworking. The
other difficult part is mirror making. Hey, that means everything is
difficult:-). IMO,  Telescope making is difficult because there are many
new skills I have to learn. I never cut any wood before. The only tool
I'd ever used is hammer (an nails) and I only used it when I wanted to
hang pictures on the wall.

BUT, I learn many new things here, I can cut straight, now I know how to
use a surformer and I learn how to grind mirror. You will too.

           Even thougth I still didn't finish my first telescope.
Hehehe, I thought I was the only whose project never finish:-) Don't
worry about that, you're not the only one with unfinished telescope. We
call ourselves amateur telescope makers because (at least this is my
definition) we make a telescope whenever we have the spare time to do
the woodworking and mirror grinding. There's no deadline for us, though
the sooner you finish it the sooner you can enjoy the night sky. So,
just keep going and you will finish it. 

Good luck
Bob P. Sumitro
Jakarta, Indonesia

True Victory is Self Victory!
Harmonize yourself with the
Divine Parent Mind -
salvation lives right within
your own body and soul.

-Morihei Ueshiba-



>
>Now that I finnaly understood all of the equations, the way the
>telescope 
>works, all of the kinds of mounts & stuff, I don't really think that
>ATM 
>is hardwork (maybe exept doing the mirror). The only thing which is 
>stopping me of building the telescope is the far place where I need to 
>buy the plywood.
>
>I think that if I'd have all of the 
>wood pieces and everything for building even a 30" telescope, I could
>do 
>it. 
>
>I really don't understand.
>
>----------------------------------------
>Asaf Shtull-Trauring, Amateur Astronomer
>
>http://www.maxnm.com/asaf/
>
>
>