Curved Spiders

I have a ten inch home built Dob. Actually it turned out pretty darn good. After 50 years of astronomy and four home builts it should have. I have been thinking about one additional modification and that is a curved spider for the secondary to cut out on the spikes. Is anyone out there in astroland familiar with these devices as to how good are they, and where can someone lay their hands on one.
Thanks....Clear and Windless skies to you all....Tom

Hello Tom,

I have built a curved support for my homebuilt 12.5"
dob (Parks primary). I prefer the lack of spikes in the images I see--especially when the seeing is steady.
I must also say that some ATMers I have talked to think that the first defraction ring is enhanced as well as increased "glow" from having a curved vane. I do not think so from my limited experience.

I know that ProtoStar sells secondary mounts w/o the supports that you can then add a curved vane to. Sky&Telescope had an article in the April 2002 issue (I believe) that described building a whole assembly. I built my whole secondary assembly out of wood, some bolts, a nylon screw, and a stainless steel strip. Its not too hard especially if you have built four scopes--this 12.5" was my first.

Daniel