Re: [ATM] 16" Tri-Dob Success

[Mark Cowan <toolontop@yahoo.com>]

Hi Dave:

Well, wouldn't you expect a bit top-heavy with a 16x1"
f/5.6?  I've been building a folded 12.5" f/6 tri-dob
type myself.  

So glad you like the mirror, would like to get some
hard-core observing reports off it!

Best,
Mark Cowan
Salem OR (where the deluge has abated, presently)  

--- Dave Smith <smithersscope@yahoo.com> wrote:

> Greetings my friends,
> After a few years of quasi-lurking, I wanted to post
> a
> preliminary success--and express a heart felt THANKS
> to everyone on the list for support and guidance.
> Regrettably my second 13" trepanned and ground
> homemade mirror-to-be sits safely in a drawer in the
> garage. Some day it will be a real mirror.
> Meanwhile,
> I wanted to get out under the stars when the weather
> permits. So I picked up a 16" x 1" plate glass
> mirror
> from Mark Cowan at Obsidian Optics for a song off
> ebay
> and followed Mel's pattern to build a tri-dob mount.
<snip> 
> The scope performs beautifully. It was extremely top
> heavy--no surprise, owing to the thin 1" thick f5.6
> mirror. Focal length is 89"+. I had to add 25 pounds
> of lead to the bottom of the mirror box (5 five
> pound
> deep sea weights). That hurt. The mirror was only 15
> pounds. I think my entire OTA now weighs just under
> 40
> pounds. <snip>
 
> How can I ever thank all you good folks!??
> My hat is off to all of you!
> Keep up the good work!
> Dumpster Dave
> 
> 



		
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