[ATM] PGT reproductions

[Jeff Lowe <lowe@nanotechsys.com>]

> From: Ron Lippard - Renaissance Reproductions
>     Dear List,
>     My backlog of mail is in the thousands so pardon me if I'm a bit out
> of touch.Those of you in the Springfield ATM, Vt. may know of a project
> that is to bring new life to the Porter Garden Telescope.About12 years
> ago a friend of mine asked me to help him get started building a
> telescope for his son.The basic 6" newt was all he had time to make.But
> during our phone conversations I told him about the Porter Garden
> telescope which appeared in S&T many years ago.Since Dave Nugent is
> probably the ablest design artist and pattern-maker in the country
> building this rig would be easy.Now flash-forward to the present.It
> seems he is doing just that! I get regular updates on his progress.What
> was an unfinished dream is making it's way into the real splender of
> Porters design,and Davids incredible talent.He has his own foundry now
> but still relies on Lincoln Charles to do much of the casting and
> finishing.I will be seeing him tomorrow as we have a rock climb to Ore
> Hill in Easton on Sat.Stay tuned.If this scope comes off half as good as
> David usually produces,you'll be seeing a class act worthy of a spot in
> the Smithsonian.I'am very proud of his work and it's about time somebody
> said as much!
>      regards, Ron

My dreams of owning one are perhaps not in vain.

Castings from these folks were shown at NEAF: 
http://www.telescopesvt.com/ They were generated by 3D scanning and 
rapid prototyping techniques. The principal is a former professor at 
Dartmouth College and my understanding is that he was at one time a 
member of the Springfield Telescope Makers. I did however suffer a bit 
of sticker shock. Competition may be a good thing.

-- 
jeff lowe


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