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Lion Nebula SH2-132 - RC71

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Posts Made By: Bill Byrd

August 1, 2006 12:15 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Want an eye patch but need a cap?

Posted By Bill Byrd
[COLOR="Purple"]AAAAARRRRRGGGGHHHHH!!! grin
Bill[/COLOR]

August 5, 2006 05:44 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Curved Spiders

Posted By Bill Byrd
[COLOR="Purple"]They look great Floyd!

I'm using one of Destiny's 3 vane spiders in my 18.75" which is currently (interminably?) under construction. This is one of the Observatory class spiders with thicker vane material to allow use of only 3 arcs. I'm hoping it will allow for hi-res views!!
Bill[/COLOR]

August 10, 2006 10:40 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Balancing Act

Posted By Bill Byrd
[COLOR="Purple"]Don't you love that birch plywood!

For balance, some folks swear that using a spreadsheet can get everything figured out in advance. I'm not so good with numbers either so I build the OTA, find the actual balance point, and build everything around the OTA.
Bill[/COLOR]

August 16, 2006 01:41 AM Forum: Telescope Making

Dobfractor mount

Posted By Bill Byrd
L[COLOR="Purple"]ooks good! What did you use for the bearings? Looks like Ebony Star...riding on? Polish the brass and use it as is!
Bill[/COLOR]

August 23, 2006 01:43 AM Forum: Telescope Making

DIY Thumbscrews

Posted By Bill Byrd
[COLOR="Purple"]Here they are assembled.

I just jam them together...some LocTite might be necessary for ultimate stay-togetherness. wink
Bill[/COLOR]

August 25, 2006 02:32 AM Forum: Telescope Making

Floppy Focuser Fixed!?

Posted By Bill Byrd
[COLOR="Purple"]Here's the front side...crummy pic...sorry.
Bill[/COLOR]

August 26, 2006 01:37 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

M33 -- just goofing around

Posted By Bill Byrd
[COLOR="Purple"][SIZE="Large"]YOW![/SIZE] 8O

If that's just goofing around, I can't imagine what the
final version is gonna be like!!

Outstanding!
Bill[/COLOR]

August 27, 2006 10:02 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Finish Boo Boo

Posted By Bill Byrd
[COLOR="Purple"]The fix with tung oil didn't seem to be working too well so I pulled out the acetone and gave it all a going over with that. Seems to have gotten all of the tackiness off and a lot of the black is still there. Once I let the whole thing air out for an hour or two, I plan to stain the black with some aniline die, which is what I should have used in the first place. Then I'll spray with poly again and hopefully be done with the USA.
Bill[/COLOR]

August 30, 2006 02:11 AM Forum: Bad to the Bone Autos

Your scope's RIDE

Posted By Bill Byrd
[COLOR="Purple"]The Element is a good choice! A member of our local club has one and loves it. I may have to move up to something like that to transport my latest creation, an 18.75" f/5.22 monster. That or a trailer.

My current ride, a PT Crusier dubbed "Scope Hauler", won't have enough room for the new scope + camping stuff, even with the roof box on top. Here's a pic from this past April when I went to Big Bend National Park for some dark sky observing with my 14.5" scope.
Bill[/COLOR]

September 1, 2006 12:12 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Ebony Star?

Posted By Bill Byrd
[COLOR="Purple"]Here's where I got some:
http://www.meridiantelescopes.com/ebonystar.htm
Bill[/COLOR]

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