Re: [ATM] First project

[Michael Lindner <mikell@optonline.net>]

On Tuesday 18 May 2004 01:25 pm, Mark Hampton wrote:
>        I'm thinking about making my own telescope...

Mark,

Are you planning on making your own primary mirror as well (I'm presuming you 
are thinking about a newtonian reflector)? The first scope I made (including 
mirror) was a 6" f/7. This was too small, IMHO. The strokes for making the 
mirror were agonizingly short for someone with big hands and no mirror making 
experience. If I had to do it again I would start with a 10". Others will 
have other opinions.

If you're buying the optics, then the issue becomes how much do you want to 
spend, and how much can you lift and transport comfortably, as well as what 
kind of fabrication skills are you blessed with? My second scope was a 13" 
f/4.5, and it could easily have been my first, had I not made the 6". Many 
folks have successfully made even larger scopes with the help of Kriege and 
Berry's book "The Dobsonian Telescope".

Clear skies.
-- 
Michael Lindner
http://www.starastronomy.org *** http://home.att.net/~mikel
http://www.atmsite.org *** http://www.atmlist.net

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