Well after being out of amateur astronomy for almost 15 years I decided to build another scope. This time I decided to build a classic size that I have always wanted, a 6" F8.
Ordered an Antares 1/15 wave 1.33 inch diagonal and a GSO 6 inch F8 mirror from Agena Astro. Going to use a heavy duty 8" mailing tube I have coming.
Last scope I built was a Discovery Split-Tube dob clone using hardware from a 17" Discovery split tube and a Discovery 13.1" mirror set back in 2007.
I still have the base for that 13.1 and will reuse the ground board and build up from there. The ground board is 21 1/4 inches in diameter and should work just fine. It still has the Discovery center plate and bolt and it will save me a bit of work by reusing it.
The 13.1" split tube I built, I ended up parting it out and selling most of the parts here on Astromart back in 2010. It was a big heavy beast with amazing views.
I am setting my sights a little smaller this time with the 6 inch since i'm 60 now.
I am thinking of either 3D printing the mirror cell in carbon fiber PETG or just making one out of plywood. Also the 13.1" scope had a 1800 Destiny curved spider and I will make something similar.
Back in 2010 I pretty much sold all my astro stuff because I needed the cash so i'll need to need to gather what things I need.
I will take my time and make it nice.
Ordered an Antares 1/15 wave 1.33 inch diagonal and a GSO 6 inch F8 mirror from Agena Astro. Going to use a heavy duty 8" mailing tube I have coming.
Last scope I built was a Discovery Split-Tube dob clone using hardware from a 17" Discovery split tube and a Discovery 13.1" mirror set back in 2007.
I still have the base for that 13.1 and will reuse the ground board and build up from there. The ground board is 21 1/4 inches in diameter and should work just fine. It still has the Discovery center plate and bolt and it will save me a bit of work by reusing it.
The 13.1" split tube I built, I ended up parting it out and selling most of the parts here on Astromart back in 2010. It was a big heavy beast with amazing views.
I am setting my sights a little smaller this time with the 6 inch since i'm 60 now.
I am thinking of either 3D printing the mirror cell in carbon fiber PETG or just making one out of plywood. Also the 13.1" scope had a 1800 Destiny curved spider and I will make something similar.
Back in 2010 I pretty much sold all my astro stuff because I needed the cash so i'll need to need to gather what things I need.
I will take my time and make it nice.
