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Post by lunatuck on Sept 22, 2019 13:50:19 GMT -5
i was looking into it last nite a little as i had plans in the past to pour an acrylic mirror someday and finish it if i couldnt buy a meade lightbridge. it seems as the grinding and polishing methods have gotten a little more user friendly over the years and i am 100% interested. it does take some hours but time is something i have on my side. even if i couldnt get the finish on it perfect or the chip would pose to be an issue front coating is always an option and would still make for a decent viewing experience compared to what i have at this point. plus after i do it the first time ill have alot more comfort with it. ive worked with acrylic tons so im not scared of it anymore so this would give me the finishing exp i need to maybe pour a larger acrylic mirror when i have more space again. i wanted to make a spinning rig so that as the liquid setup it would make a parabola so the focal range would already be close and less finishing. ill put some money to the side and when i have enough for whatever its gonna cost to ship ill send it to you for sure. It’s just taking up space in my basement at the moment. The chip shouldn’t impact the views. Also, its back is concave, and it has a curve generated, but you’ll pick your own curve. You may need to support it somehow, plaster or pitch. But it’ll give awesome views. You can build a truss cheap. You will need a pickoff mirror. Ill try and figure out the weight for shipping. I’d love to see someone using it. Depending on what type of tools you have available, it may be worth it to build a temporary grinding machine. That was my plan. |
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Post by chehystpewpur on Sept 22, 2019 17:16:44 GMT -5
ill make or acquire whatever is needed to get it right and i have some ideas for mounting and support from my time scouring astronomy forums for info on making dobs. the wood box frames made for simple and easy mounting with the ability to have a cheap simple storage. ill show it alot of love thats for sure. i have a good bit of wood and metal working tools i can use again and some people that would be willing to help me figure out what would be best suited for my needs. i usually over build things but id rather be safe than sorry and have a few low vibration computer fans i might mount one to keep the mirror cool and help with expansion and distortion.
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Post by lunatuck on Sept 24, 2019 6:46:43 GMT -5
ill make or acquire whatever is needed to get it right and i have some ideas for mounting and support from my time scouring astronomy forums for info on making dobs. the wood box frames made for simple and easy mounting with the ability to have a cheap simple storage. ill show it alot of love thats for sure. i have a good bit of wood and metal working tools i can use again and some people that would be willing to help me figure out what would be best suited for my needs. i usually over build things but id rather be safe than sorry and have a few low vibration computer fans i might mount one to keep the mirror cool and help with expansion and distortion. I will be at work tomorrow and can check our UPS rate. I’m guessing $40-50. Also need to pack it better. It got a chip last time it shipped.  Yes. Wooden mirror box with fans. You know what to look at. |
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Post by chehystpewpur on Sept 24, 2019 12:39:25 GMT -5
i spent many a long nite drooling over the idea of a 16" scope and many people making their own telescope body recommend using a fan seeing as how your already making the frame so why not make 1 extra hole and get much more viewing time and less condensation/dust. and that doesnt sound like it would be too bad for shipping. i snagged a side job on a car for this weekend or next so ill be ahead of the game even if i buy an exhaust or computer part this week too so ill have whatever it takes to ship whenever your ready. usps also has some good rates in their boxes but im not sure if they would have one big enough. i cant remember how big the boxes go. i bought alot of their $15 flat rate priority boxes over the years and got pretty good at stuffing too much stuff in them.
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Post by jbjhillbilly on Sept 28, 2019 13:52:51 GMT -5
All this telescope talk just makes it all the more apparent that I have to fix my Alt-Az mount for my Newt. Goto is way off.
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Post by chehystpewpur on Sept 28, 2019 15:41:39 GMT -5
do you align it before viewing?
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Post by chehystpewpur on Sept 30, 2019 13:19:37 GMT -5
well it showed up today in a big honkin box and needless to say after opening the box its deff massive. shes gonna be a pig to move around but im perfectly fine with that i love that it doesnt feel flimsy like glass usually does to me and feel much more confident in the grinding process as it doesnt have that brittleness i was worried about. i cant wait to get it finished and do my first viewings with the old girl.
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Post by lunatuck on Sept 30, 2019 13:58:32 GMT -5
well it showed up today in a big honkin box and needless to say after opening the box its deff massive. shes gonna be a pig to move around but im perfectly fine with that i love that it doesnt feel flimsy like glass usually does to me and feel much more confident in the grinding process as it doesnt have that brittleness i was worried about. i cant wait to get it finished and do my first viewings with the old girl. Lol. Its intimidating when you first see it. Just keep grinding... just keep grinding... just keep grinding... |
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Post by chehystpewpur on Sept 30, 2019 15:36:29 GMT -5
it just about is but im sure my smile was a little bigger than the glass is. this should keep me out of trouble this winter so im deff looking forward to that. there is going to be alot of grinding to do but the end result will be worth every second im sure. thank you again and when its done youll be the second to know.
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