RE: ATM -- Protostar Diagonals

["Frank Schiralli, Jr." <schiralli@mindspring.com>]

At 06:08 AM 6/3/99 -0700, you wrote:
>Frank,
>Mr. Greer must be getting tired of writing "sorry, no more orders" e-mails.
>Since Protostar has apparently been keeping up just fine with orders until
>recently, it makes me wonder what has caused either a surge in orders or a
>drop in production cabpability...everybody ordering new scope parts for the
>solar eclipse this summer?

Paul,

I had a LONG conversation with Mr. Greer today.  He tells me it is not that
sort of thing at all.  Since Novak went out of business, he (as
"Protostar") has been making these diagonal holders and spiders, but this
is NOT his primary business at all!  He owns a foundry.

Much of the problem, it seems is that he pulls foundry workers (welders,
etc.) out of the foundry to make and assemble the spiders and diagonal
holders.  He says they kinda resent it, and it is not what they are
principally there for.  Also, since he is cognizant of the fact that there
is special attention to detail required of telescope parts (for instance
the drilled and tapped holes which accept the collimation screws must be
burr free and smooth operating) these workers are not necessarily equipped
or willing to do the job Mr. Greer needs and wants them to do in order to
provide the high quality product he envisions and is dedicated to producing.

He hopes to reduce, thru automation and better tooling, to increase his
production to accomodate the current demands.  It is not a high priority w/
him since it is a "sideline" to his principle business.  Consequently, he
is not taking orders nor establishing a waiting list.

Secondary mirrors of certain sizes are available, but (unfortunately for
me) NOT the 2.60" secondary I had hoped for.  Eight weeks is the likely
delay on those.


Frank Schiralli, Jr.
Member, Astronomical Society of Long Island (ASLI)
N 40* 54' 28"
W 73* 19' 22"
E-mail schiralli@mindspring.com
Web Pg. http://members.tripod.com/~AstroImager/index.html