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Lion Nebula SH2-132 - RC71

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Posts Made By: Bill Byrd

March 4, 2004 10:30 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Specialty Tools for TM'ing, Part I

Posted By Bill Byrd
Very nice Lee! Here's a pic of my 14.5" cobbled up to determine truss length. Not very elegant! That's a 1X6 attached to the mirror box with clamps and the cage is attached with velcro straps. I just moved the cage back and forth until I had it in the right place. Then it's just a matter of measuring the seapration between the top of the mirror box and the bottom of the cage. Cut poles to a length that gives that distance and Whala! All EPs come to focus.
Bill in SA

March 4, 2004 10:58 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Ring thickness versus number of struts

Posted By Bill Byrd
Hi Tom! I think you are on the right track...more struts = more stiffness. I've attached a pic of one of my two upper cage rings. It's only 3/32" thick; made out of aluminum. The rings are only 1" wide. There are 4 primary struts, 2 secondary struts (for the light baffle), a finder board and the focuser board. Sounds like a lot but the cage assembly is very open. With those struts/boards (none very heavy) the cage is very stiff. I'd say give it a try with the 1/4" BB. I'd be surprised if it's not stiff enough.
Bill in SA

March 14, 2004 08:34 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Mirror maker Steve Kennedy's web address???

Posted By Bill Byrd
Try:
http://www.kennedy-optics.com/
Bill in SA

March 19, 2004 01:29 AM Forum: Telescope Making

New EP Table is finally finished!

Posted By Bill Byrd
I don't know Floyd....maybe you need more EPs!!

Looks great! Now....how about a built in heater to keep dew away??
Bill in SA

March 21, 2004 12:14 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Star Status

Posted By Bill Byrd
What's the story about?
Bill in SA

April 3, 2004 08:53 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Mirror box thickness

Posted By Bill Byrd
Craig:
I used 1/2" on my 14.5" mirror box with no problem. My next project is a 19" with a light weight mirror and I plan to use 1/2" again. It will have a short mirror box...a tall mirror box might have trouble but I doubt it, if it's made well.
Bill in SA

April 7, 2004 02:00 AM Forum: Telescope Making

Mirror Cell/Tube/spider choice

Posted By Bill Byrd
I have used several of the DAR cells. Very good! Way better than the UO cells I've used. But, for your design, the UO cell may be all you need with a 1.6" thick mirror.
Bill in SA

May 7, 2004 10:57 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

EQ Platform Question

Posted By Bill Byrd
ET....left home! Long gone. Neil handled the "adjustment" answer.
Bill in SA

May 8, 2004 09:04 PM Forum: Telescope Making

12.5 mirror cell vender list

Posted By Bill Byrd
DAR Search for DAR mirror cell or DAR astro machinging. Not cheap but VERY well made.
Bill in SA

May 10, 2004 11:30 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

2 weeks evaluation on side fans

Posted By Bill Byrd
Ron:
Are you using just 2 fans blowing across the front with no fan on the rear of the mirror?
Bill in SA

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