Has anyone made a break down refractor?

I have a 4" F15 lens which needs a home, and I was thinking of making an OTA which breaks down into three sections. It would be portable and the parts would thread together. Maybe I haven been looking in the right places, but I haven't seen one before. Is there any reason not to try it? thank you, Bill

i`ve never heard of breakdown refractors,however folded refractors are around.type in ernie pfannenschmidt,the master or folded refractors.they look like fun and doable projects.

Charlie Wicks made a nice one. You can see it here:

http://home.earthlink.net/~cwicks1/index.html

Borg's commercial line of refractors break down into separate components you can stick your socks and underwear in to save space in your carry-in luggage. Here's a nice review:

http://www.cloudynights.com/reviews/borg76ed.htm

You might also try a search for Stewart Beveridge. He is from Australia and I know he had a 6" f/22 refractor transportable. The tube broke down into 3 sections.

Hello Bill,

About two years ago I built an optical tube intended for a D&G f15 refractor that could break down into two sections for transport. After getting it constructed I decided that the 75" tube was too long for my tastes--my alt-az mount was not very good.

Still the ota was about 10 pounds without the objective but with a 1 1/4" refractor focuser, homemade rings with altitude bearings, and 30mm finder. I used a product called Hollowood (32" long 6" outside diameter, 30" long 4" outside diameter, and a smaller diameter Hollowood tube holding the focuser. The two largest tubes were held together using large pvc plumbing fittings which were glued with Plumber's Goop to the Hollowood tubes. It was quite rigid and allowed the tubes to be unscrewed apart for shorter transport.

Food for thought,

Daniel