Posts Made By: Walter Hamler

Absolutely awesome!! Are you drawing freehand or using a template for the major image size?

Walter

Carlos, that is simply elegant!! I find it especially interesting as the last time I observed Saturn under very good conditions I noted a slightly greenish/blue band/belt near the polar region. It wasn't as stong as the drawing naturally but was definitely there. That was the first time I had ever really noted that feature.

Walter

Rest assured, practically any in-line switch you put in will suffice. I don't know of any telescope operating system, even if AC, that would draw enough amps to create a potential problem. Just pick one that meets the physical requirements of the installation.

Walter

Stuart, I built the one that Warren Peters has on his website with some minor mods. If you go to the Stellafane website and look under the Scope Gallery there is an article there about how I went about building mine and a list of the parts and links, etc. I have since modified the unit with a slightly different stepper motor that is a little more robust. I must emphasize that it is an extremely easy unit to build and plain old 3/4" plywood works great, except for the runners, for which I used red oak commonly available at Home Depot, etc.
The single hardest item to obtain was the bearings, until I got my brother to make them from delrin, so that may be a possibility for you as well. I would even venture to say you could carefully cut them yourself from a delrin rod. The rod is very cheap from Small Parts, Inc, as well as other suppliers.
I really don't understand why many others have not built this platform, as the design, plans, instructions, that Warren lays out on his website are excellent, and the unit performs flawlessly. I have had up to 15" Obsessions on it with zero problems.

Walter

Home Depot, Lowes, any Good!! Hardware store.

Why do you hate the word "creation"??

Walter

YES, it would most definitely help, the problem is removing everything and then getting it back all properly aligned.
A recent thread on flocking paper recommended Tightbond II weatherproof adhesive. It's a higher end wood glue, but it does work very well.

Walter

At f/6 the 3" secondary is way too large unless you go to a 3 or 4 inch focuser because of the larger light cone. Something like a 2.5 to 2.6 inch will probably be much better.
I am currently working on a 16" f/5.7 and will be using a 2.5" diagonal.

Walter

I use the Scopetronix adapter with my 4500. Specifically the version with the three long setscrews that will accomodate the 1.25" eyepieces. They also make one for the larger Televues and 2" eyepieces. Televue also makes one that fits their eyepieces and the 4500 and it may even be a little cheaper.

Walter

I just received a 20mm a few days ago. In a nutshell you get what you pay for. Reasonable center sharpness but pretty severe seagulls at the outer 30~40% of the fov. The afov is at least what is advertised, almost identical to the Panoptics. If you really need the edge to be sharp then don't consider them.

Walter