Posts Made By: Bill Byrd

[COLOR="Purple"]Thanks for all of the feedback!

The Craftsman router was a gift from my wife many years ago. It doesn't get used much any more so I thought I's upgrade as I start my latest ATM project. From what I can gather, the Bosch and DeWalts are usually ranked fairly high in reviews, hence my interest in those models.

I really only seem to use a router a couple of times each year so I don't need a super-heavy-duty-production model. Thus my interest in maybe getting by with the 1.75HP units vs the 2HP or 2.25HP units.

My Craftsman is a fixed base and I really need a plunge router...thus the fixed/plunge combos seem like good thing. Either the DeWalt or Bosch kits can be found for about $200.00 + shipping, which seems to be a pretty fair price for decent routers.

I was just curious if anyone had strong feelings about those brands/models.
Thanks!
Bill[/COLOR]

[COLOR="Purple"]Hey!! That scope looks sooooo familiar! Oh yeah, I remember, it used to be mine! Glad it's doing so well for you Walt.
Bill[/COLOR]

H[COLOR="Purple"]i Floyd!
I have a 10" f/6 "Alice" clone; two tube alt/az truss style scope. It does indeed take a little time to dampen after being moved. I made it to have a very portable scope so light weight was a factor when I built it. I'm sure this leads to some of the dampening slowness but I've learned to live with it by being smooth and deliberate with motions...slow, deliberate release of the focuser board after a move is second nature to me.

I agree about the size of the truss tubes. In my case with only two, they have to be pretty stiff. The first set I used allowed too much deflection and the dampening time was pretty long. Bigger tubing really helped.

I think the light weight also adds to the dampening problem. In my case, I don't want extra weight so I have learned to live with what I have.

Are you using your 10" on an tracking platform? I tried my 10" on the large tracking platform I have and the dampening problem was much worse. Again, I can deal with it but it seems to make using the scope less enjoyable, even though I love tracking, so I usually use the scope firmly on terra firma.

I've read about some novel ideas to lessen vibration...expanding foam in the truss tubes, sleeves of heavy cloth over the truss tubes, etc...but I've never gone so far as to get that creative. Perhaps others who've done such will enlighten us.
Bill[/COLOR]

[COLOR="Purple"]McMaster Carr perhaps? They seem to have everything. Search for threaded rod?
Bill[/COLOR]

[COLOR="Purple"]Sorta defines the term "pocket scope" to me.
Bill[/COLOR]

[COLOR="Purple"]Here's a neat trick I picked up somewhere about cutting the inside of the upper ring...make the cuts...leave a few nubs, for lack of a better term, and cut those last...very carefully.
Bill[/COLOR]

[COLOR="Purple"]How about wood?
Bill[/COLOR]

[COLOR="Purple"]You can make a lot of things with aluminum angle. Here's one of the attachment brackets. I'll eventually round the edges and make the angle look a little better. These are proof of performance pieces at this point. Nuts and bolts are stainless.

I'm thinking of ebonizing the wood of the upper ring, and maybe on the rest of the scope too. Anyone ever ebonize the wood on their scope instead of more traditional stain?
Bill [/COLOR]

[COLOR="Purple"]Wow! Thanks for all of the responses!! I decided to go in stages to upgrade my winter outerwear trousseau. I found a set of Carhartt R33 Biberalls for $85.00 and ordered them as a start. I think I'll add an LL Bean Baxter State parka or a North Face McMurdo to top off the biberalls later. Those, with proper layers underneath should keep even this thin blooded, warm weather Texan comfortable on any night I might experience here in the south.
Thanks again,
Bill[/COLOR]

[COLOR="Purple"]A view of the other side.
Bill[/COLOR]