Re: [ATM] best book to learn mirror making?

["Gianluca Carinci" <g.carinci@tiscalinet.it>]

Hello, justin, hello all.

The first book I got was "L'astronomo dilettante" by Andrenelli (Mursia, if
I remember well).
I was 13, and was electrified by such a book that was saying I could buil a
telescope entirely by myself.
I was signed for my life.
Soon I discovered that it was largely not sufficient, but a nice first
meeting with ATMing.

If I have to suggest a single book on telescope making to someone, without
knowing what are his abilities, it would be

Berry's "build your own telescope -complete plans for five telescopes you
can build with simple hand tools", Willmann-Bell.

It lacks the "in depth" by Texereau, but is really effective: takes the ATM
by hand on each step with (a bit dated) but large photos, and it is rigorous
where it is needed.
Gives several basic designs, all readily workable, and success is assured.
For a young child just helped by his father, but also for the wanna be ATM
with no experience at all (and a very small ability in Maths) and just a
corner in the garage.
Only, it places not the very accent on mirror making, but I think that all
is told is very clear and sufficient for a 6" or a 8" first mirror. With a
little help (by the list, to say one), I think that after having read that
book a patient guy can think about a 10" as his first attempt with full
knowledge.

Texereau is surely my favourite and I would suggest it, but it is a little
less a "friendly reading". By no way, it's very complete and rigorous; where
one could add something by himself in the wrong way, Texereau goes more in
depth, and explains always waht we are going to do and why.

The ATM serie is a nice "trio"; very valuable, very interesting. But I
suggest the two above for someone wishing a book wich explains a linear,
complete, more or less step by step "iter".
Surely, other books are available and should be preferred when it comes to
optics, to mirror making etc..., but Berry's is really complete, and says
what it's necessary. No more, but nothing less the needed for a good quality
first ATM project. And the photographs form the '80s are really nice...

The Karine and Lecleire book have minor errors, but, more, the problem is
that it is intended for the starting ATM, but it is largely incomplete,
insufficient and superficial for him (in several chapters), while not too
much clear on some points (wich are described in several points: you've to
jump pages, read the inset...): it seems to me it was completed in a hurry.
I'm very sorry, also as authors are european (I live in Italy) and I really
appreciate French traditions and ability in high precision optics.
Maybe next edition will be better.

Clear Skies

Gianluca




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Justin Morgan" <Justin.Morgan@watchmark.com>
To: "ATM" <atm@atmlist.net>
Sent: Friday, October 15, 2004 8:51 PM
Subject: [ATM] best book to learn mirror making?


Hello ATM-ers,

Although I've been into astronomy for a while, the "aperature fever" bug
has bitten and I'm looking into building my own scope.  I'm a total
newbie when it comes to making a telescope.  As part of the getting
started process I've read the resources list to find out what books
discuss mirror making.

My question for the group is this:

In your opinion, which book is the best for someone just starting out
making his first telescope and mirror?  I'm considering making a mirror
in the 12"-16" range, in case that makes a difference.

"How to Make a Telescope" by Jean Texereau
-OR-
"Making Your Own Telescope" by Allyn J. Thompson
-OR-
a different book not listed (which?)

Many thanks for any info!

Clear skies,

Justin Morgan
Bellevue, WA
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