Perfection

All I really want is just a bit of perfection. You know, something that is absolutely perfect in every way. I would like it to be at least 15" in aperture and cost under $1500 including shipping!

Is that too much to ask?

I mean just how hard can it be to melt some glass and grind on it for a while and put a coating of cheap aluminum?

And just how much does a 4x8 sheet of plywood cost anyway?

Add a few odds and ends and you have a scope, right?

Nooooooo! It takes a dedicated individual that will slave many hours pouring his sweat and heart into these inanimate pieces of wood, glass and metal to mold them into a fine astronomical instrument. Much skill is required combined with pride in workmanship to accomplish this fantastic feat of hand and eye coordination.

So, when you talk to one of these individuals that are building fine scopes, think about that. Tell them you appreciate their effort and pay them the money they ask for their works of art and science!

I wish that I was skilled enough to make a fine mirror and construct the perfect scope. Ahhh, what a nice thought! ;^)
But I alas, am not a sculpture of wood and glass and metal. But I am a lover of fine workmanship.

Thank you all who strive to accomplish this impossible task of building the perfect telescope. With out your efforts we would all be just staring at those small pinpoints in the sky and be wondering what it all really looks like.
Floyd

Thats PERFECT :-) Its my dream too. But I, like you, am a lover of fine workmanship. Yes, I thank them, one and all !

Mitch, I believe you missed Floyd's sarcasm. :-)

>> But I alas, am not a sculpture of wood and glass and metal. But I am a lover of fine workmanship. <<

That's what is known as being a "Patron" - and historically patrons of any art or science have paid through the nose for their vices .... but they also keep artisans employed who otherwise would never survive in the crass commercial world.

Alvin Clark and Sons would have starved if they had to make a go making the kind of refractors they did on what the market dictated. Fortunally for all of us they had a few very rich friends who like "perfection" also.

And my $0.02 would not have counted for very much! - TM