[ATM] Octagnal Cage-Style Tube Design?

["David Sleeter" <d.sleeter@roadrunner.com>]

Hi Folks:

As I mentioned in a previous post, this coming year I hope to start building
a permanent computerized alt-azimuth mounted observatory scope around a set
of full thickness F/6 Newtonian optics. In considering a good tube design,
I'm leaning toward the octagonal style, to be fabricated from aluminum or
steel tubes and machined or welded aluminum or steel rings with
cross-bracing beteen the rings (ala the old 100" Hooker telescope at Mt.
Wilson).

I remember seeing pictures of 16-inch-class tubes like this in the past, but
I'm having trouble finding examples with Google because the search terms
I've tried return a flood of non-related stuff. If anyone on this list can
post the links to some pictures and/or articles on some telescope with good
octagonal (or hexagonal) tube designs, I'd greatly appreciate it. I have a
complete machine shop, so machining isn't a problem. For direct
communications, my email address is d.sleeter@roadrunner.com. All
suggestions will be appreciated.

Dave Sleeter/Moreno Valley, CA


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