Posts Made By: Floyd Blue

Well, I just had to try flocking the secondary cage with Velvet after making the upper baffle and flocking it. So I did it today. IT was a hard job, but it does look nice now.
What do you think?

Well, I bought a 5-6-7mm UO HD Ortho set from a fellow Astromarter. I also bought a 12.5-18mm that I believe are Circle-Ts from an another Astromarter. The only other one I might get is a 9mm if they work out. The Eye Relief is not so good on those below 9mm, but since I don't wear glasses they will still work.
I wanted to try again the Orthos and the new 10" F/6 DOB will be a great scope for these planetary EPs as well.
I will give my test results on the UO HDs when I get the next chance to go viewing. Hopefully both sets will arrive before I go next. It will be interesting to give them a try. Never had the chance to check them out before.

People have told me they could not find drum cases for their UTAs without custom charges for making it to size, which is expensive. So I tried to make some to see how hard it was to do. Here is what I found.
I have been making drum cases for my UTAs for protection while transporting and to help keep them clean. There is a difficulty in finding drum cases that will fit the UTA dimensions if you look around. They are usually too deep for the diameter. So this necessitated designing and making my own.
I considered padded and hard sided cases, but the amount of time, money and materials just made me decide against them. So I looked for a fabric that was tough, water & mildew resistant and thick enough to provide some padding. I found auto trunk lining fabric to be a good choice. This is available through an upholstery supply in 1/4" and 3/16" thickness and is available is a great looking black.
I used upholstery zippers so that I could make them any length, cut to fit. You buy it by the yard. I made the upper round part zip all the way around to make it easier to put on the UTA and the front zips down for the same reason. With about 1-1.5 yards of material you can make a case for a 10"-15" Truss Dob. This material will also make a good truss tube case. I will be making one of those later and will post a thread on it.
Here is a picture, without the UTA in it. I stuffed a pillow in to to give it some shape. I have not received the scope yet for this case. It is for a 10" DOB.
If you are interested I would give you instructions on making one. Contact me by private message if interested.

Due to many requests by fellow Astromart members,I have decided to make the items I have shown for sale.
These are custom made items made to your specifications. I will make other items on request.
Please see my ad in Misc & Other Astonomy
http://www.astromart.com/classifieds/details.asp?classified_id=364109

Hi Michael,
The chair looks great. I like it. I have a chair coming soon made by Linton. I will post it when I get it and let you see what he did with his wood.
Linton is a great carpenter and I am looking forward to seeing and using it. He made it from red oak and it matches the Starmaster.

Here is my newest addition, a truss tube case that is made of the same material as my other items. Automotive trunk liner material which is very cool stuff. It is not as elegant as the one that was posted recently, but it is functional and protective as well as inexpensive.
My wife is modeling the item for me.

I have added to my custom accessories. Please see my ad. http://www.astromart.com/classifieds/details.asp?classified_id=366740
I am trying to ad to my accessories, please tell me what you might like that you can not find.

Here is a shot from this last Saturday night of me, the Starmaster and the air strip we use on private property. The night was excellent with great clarity and steady air all night. The temperature was 65-70F. Short sleeve weather.
We went home about 1am before the Moon rise.
Great night, great site and good friends. Can't beat that. 8)

I just made my first fan module for a solid tube (C10) with speed control. What do you think?

Here is my latest fan module for a C10, with speed control and 12v power recepticle.
What do you think about it?