ATM [Fwd: A few questions, if you please.]

[Mel Bartels <mbartels@efn.org>]

RICHARDBAL@aol.com wrote:

> Greetings fellow grinders,
>
> I am only days away from beginning my first mirror.  Willmann-Bell supplied
> the kit for an 8" Pyrex mirror which I hope to configure around f6 but am
> willing to take what it gives me, within reason.  I have yet to finish my
> grinding table (50 gal. drum) etc. I am busy reading Texereau and Neale Howard
> and as much of this idea-exchange as I can digest.
>
> At this point I am infatuated with a yoke mount.   It is irresistibly elegant
> for operational simplicity.  It has the minimum number of moving parts for an
> equatorial mount, requires no counter weights. Yet it has obvious drawbacks in
> its construction which is anything but simple, making the yoke stiff enough
> without making it too heavy being a first order problem.
>
> I am interested in hearing from anyone with experience with yoke mounts,
> especially anyone who has made one that works as it should and doesn't weigh
> too much.  I have a wood shop and friends who can weld.  I will consider any
> reasonable solution.
>
> Also, is f6 too ambitious for a first attempt?  I am interested in planetary
> observation but will use this instrument to introduce myself to all the sky
> that's fun to see.
>
> Wishing you clear skies and time to spare.
>
> Richard Ball,
> Oak Park, Illinois USA



--
Clear skies, Mel Bartels
http://www.efn.org/~mbartels