Re: [ATM] New to list, I want to make my own mirror

[Michael Lindner <mikell@optonline.net>]

Joe,

Welcome! The book you have is great for building a large dob, but for 
scopes under 12" no need to get fancy and add truss poles, a simple 
cardboard tube will suffice. I'd recommend Richard Berry's "Build Your 
Own Telescope" for advice on making the body of the scope, and 
Texereau's "How to Make a Telescope" for advice on making the mirror. 
Others may prefer other books. Of course, this list is a great resource 
too, because you can get interactive one-on=one (well, many-on-one) help.

Now, about that blank - don't go off and buy a 6" blank. Aside from 
dropping it or smashing it on a fire hydrant, there's nothing you can do 
to that blank that you can't grind out and do over if you make a 
mistake. You'd have to regrind it many many times before it became too thin!

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