Refractor Glass

I am looking for a supplier for achromat glass (about 4" to 8" in diameter).
I am also looking for old and/or unmounted achro lenses of the same diameter.
And if anyone out there has experience in building refractors of around 6" to 8", I would like to hear about your experiences.
Thanks for any ones help, JohnD 8O

I am aware that Newport Glass Works lists achromat glass kits from 4" to 8" on their website.
http://www.newportglass.com/angwcat.htm
and scroll down the left menu until you reach achromat kits.
I don't have any recent experience ordering from them.

Hi John,

I just completed a 10" achromat, and it came out great. The Bath interferometer says it's a Strehl 0.98 (about the limit for a doublet), 1/38 wave rms. I'm just having it AR coated now. So if I can give any moral support, let me know.

Before I found someone to safely AR coat it, I considered oiling it. So I've got a pretty complete set of Cargille optical coupling fluids. If you wish to oil yours, I can probably help there, too.

Have fun.

Cheers,

James

Here is an 8" F/12 I built back in 06. The OTA splits into three parts for easy portability and setup.

Keith

Attached Image:

i'm doing a 5.8 inch f-15 lithrow cemented doublet 3/4 way thru grinding will be polishing when warmer its the middle of winter in new Zealand,

I want to mount on an heq5 so will be trying to save in weight etc

when I get a chance i'll show you the wedge tester and spherometer I made for the project which are simple but seem to do the job.

Have a go. picked up blanks 2nd hand for 180 dollars a bargain.