Posts Made By: Rod Nabholz

For those interested, I have added a page to my site with the construction notes for my binocular chair.

You can see it here:

http://www.indytel.com/~rnabholz/binochair/BinocularChair.html

I welcome your thoughts, comments or questions

Thanks!

Congratulations Tom!

There are few things as exciting than having a new scope ready to go. I think everyone who hangs around here knows that feeling. I know I can remember that time, and for that matter, feeling something very similar every time I take mine out.

May you enjoy many years of that feeling with your new scope.

Clear Skies

Here is larger shot of the scope, the level is on the top side of the UTA.

I am not familiar with the C-8 never having owned one, but I had a refractor on an early Unistar. My holes were not threaded, so I could simply remove the dovetail from the rings and bolt through the plate into the rings.

If your configuration is different, I have used a good hardwood like Maple to make adapters to mate scopes and mounts to good effect. Much easier than working metal and very hard and strong

Here is what I did, based on an Astronomy Magazine Article called "How to Redeem a Department Store Telescope"

A simple to build Alt/Az mount, easily accomplished with hand tools.

I built it for my Kids after finding the scope at the Goodwill Store for $3. My 9 year old daughter now accompanies me to all of my Club's public viewing sessions and show some surprised adults some of her favorite objects.

You can read more here:

http://www.indytel.com/~rnabholz/kidpeek/index.htm

HI Darlene,

I think Randy's advice is good, forget the compass, and simply use a known object and set your azimuth circle and SmartTool to the match the computer's bearing computation.

As Randy said it is also a good idea is to choose an known object in the same area of the sky, this will only improve the accuracy.

The SmartTool really helps make this kind of set up very accurate.

Good Luck.

Okay, Against my better judgment, I'll offer my two cents.

If I understand your post correctly this is the third time that you have taken advantage of Cary's very generous offer of free mirror testing.

I couldn't help but notice that you put the word Free in quotes in your original posting as if to insinuate that the small handling fee he charges somehow negates the claim of it being free. If he gets a few bucks for tape to reseal the carton, gas to the mailing center, and ink for the label, that still qualifies as free to anyone with a sense of the value of his offer. I believe that OMI charges around $200 for this service.

The fact that this is the third time you have taken advantage of it, suggests that you might have some inkling of the value - Say about $600 or so.

On top of that you say that your two previous experiences were satisfactory, I guess that didn't buy him much good karma with you.

Instead of coming on this venue and asking for help in reaching Cary from those here who know him, you choose the nuclear option and create a permanent public record this episode, casting him and his business in a negative light with threats of going to law enforcement and the better business bureau with what appears to be complete disregard for the courtesy he has extended to you by testing your mirror for FREE - Notice no Quotations.

Do I agree that he should have maintained better communication, Yes I do. Do I think that you are overreacting and showing monumental ingratitude by your actions, Yes I do.

I am sure you will get your property back without the Local SWAT team kicking in the doors of his business, and I would not blame Cary a bit if yours was the last mirror that he tested for free. If so, those of us who will miss the opportunity are glad you got your THREE free tests.

No good deed goes unpunished I guess.

Here is a cheap, easy and quick to build design that you might be interested in. I use it with a variety of scopes but primarily with my 13" 4.5.

You can see more about it here:

http://users.indytel.com/~rnabholz/stool/

Good luck with the project.

I Like Purple

Wish I had thought of metallic though - very nice......

Hi Jon,

My choice for my scope was Minwax WipeOn Polyurethane, Satin finish - I like the natural color of the Baltic Birch so I did not stain.

I can't say enough about the ease of application using a scrap of a nice soft, well worn t-shirt. I found in much more pleasurable than trying to brush on the finish. Past experience with brushes always left me frustrated with the uneven application.

With the wipe on, the finish goes on thinner, which means more coats - but don't let that scare you. The product dries so quickly that you can do multiple coats in a day. I did a 400 grit rubdown with one of those sanding sponges followed by a tack cloth between coats.

I kept the application rag in a margarine tub between coats to prevent it from drying out, and used disposable latex gloves on my hands so I could apply a quick coat as soon as the previous one dried with a minimum of fuss and mess - the process to apply 6 coats was complete in 2 days.

I did then apply a paste wax for another level of protection after a week or so.

The end product is very satisfying - and the protection provided by the poly is quite good. I understand those who go for spar or similar varnish, it would seem to be a natural choice, but in reality, my scope never sees the exposure to the elements that a mahogany deck on a sailboat sees - so the poly has worked just fine.

Good Luck with the search.