Re: ATM -- Protostar Diagonals

[astrojoe@erols.com]

Hi Frank,

When Novak was in business, sometimes the wait for certain spiders and
holders was 3 months. 8 weeks is par for this hobby.

Joe Castoro

PS: The Stellafane registration and camping site form is on it's way to
you.










> 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