The recent discussion on Powder Coating reminded me of a few suggestions for ATMs changing out, or making new scope tubes.
I changed out my old 12" hybrid cardboard, fiberglass, aluminum sheet 48" long scope tube, which had many extra holes, bangs, chips, scrapes, etc., for an aluminum tube ordered from Hastings Pipe Company.
I ordered the .094' thickness, but should have ordered the .064" thickness. .094" is too heavy for my 12" dia. X 48" length. On my old Meade Starfinder GEM, even sliding the 25# weight to the end of the shaft wasn't enough, so I found an additional 8# weight and then balanced it out.
Using the .064" would have saved about 7# and the added weight wouldn't have been needed.
My consolation is that my scope is as sturdy as a tank!
Oh yes, I had the tube powder coated in Melbourne FL for about $80 - so the tube plus coating came to about $200. Again, cost saving for the thinner tube would have been about $25.
The powder coating is an excellent way of going. It's about the same price that I was quoted from an Auto Body Shop for painting and I've been pleased.
Black auto body lip edging trims out the ends and makes it look pretty good!
At the Winter Star Party, I got some pretty good viewing in, especially after I installed the extra counterweight!
Mike
6" f6 homemade NEWT on old Meade GEM
10" f4.5 homemade NEWT on old Meade Mount
I changed out my old 12" hybrid cardboard, fiberglass, aluminum sheet 48" long scope tube, which had many extra holes, bangs, chips, scrapes, etc., for an aluminum tube ordered from Hastings Pipe Company.
I ordered the .094' thickness, but should have ordered the .064" thickness. .094" is too heavy for my 12" dia. X 48" length. On my old Meade Starfinder GEM, even sliding the 25# weight to the end of the shaft wasn't enough, so I found an additional 8# weight and then balanced it out.
Using the .064" would have saved about 7# and the added weight wouldn't have been needed.
My consolation is that my scope is as sturdy as a tank!
Oh yes, I had the tube powder coated in Melbourne FL for about $80 - so the tube plus coating came to about $200. Again, cost saving for the thinner tube would have been about $25.
The powder coating is an excellent way of going. It's about the same price that I was quoted from an Auto Body Shop for painting and I've been pleased.
Black auto body lip edging trims out the ends and makes it look pretty good!
At the Winter Star Party, I got some pretty good viewing in, especially after I installed the extra counterweight!
Mike
6" f6 homemade NEWT on old Meade GEM
10" f4.5 homemade NEWT on old Meade Mount
