Posts Made By: P. Lee Stock

I agree. Why wouldn't it work? Continuous support along the bottom edge, no source of point pressure that might distribute stress into the glass.

Non-adjustable?

Nice.

Is that Rob O'Toole's scope? One of the only scopes on the planet that would look good with Moonlite's red anodized focusers ;^). Yes, I love the red. Would prefer the inserts be black, but the red is nice.

It's neat, but how much would you pay for it?

http://astromart.com/viewad.asp?cid=264595

P.S. I'm the "tweaker" specified in the listing. I can certainly square the focuser and don't mind being limited to visual use only. Now to just find $10K.

...wondering how a well-figured 10" f/5.5 Mak-Newt might perform:

http://astromart.com/viewad.asp?cid=264982

Any ideas?

Lee

Hi Michael,

Look at eyepiece prices compared to camera lenses, telescopes compared to (especially large and medium format) camera bodies, etc. It is apparent (to me) that the price differences between these two otherwise similar industries have to do with the following:

- Intended use: amateur astronomy equipment for the most part does not generate any personal income for the enthusiast; quality photo gear is often used professionally, or semi-professionally (thus the user expects to pay more for pro-quality gear)

- Market segment of buyers: amateur astronomers are, on the whole, not generally the ambitious business-minded set seeking the Lexus/BMW in the driveway and the luxury home on the hill. I perceive the average amateur astromomer is on a (much) tighter budget. While not necessarily a bad thing, it does mean less discretionary income for equipment purchases.

Add to that other economic factors such as economies of scale (perhaps Obsession is succeeding in this area somewhat with volume pricing from vendors and a partially automated manufacturing system--I know Dave K. orders several mirrors ahead of time and has storage units full of completed wooden mount parts). And then there is the issue of wide availability of average quality gear that satisfies the majority of buyers and price expectations in line with these products (why should a high-quality 16" cost 4x more than a Meade tube dob? or why should a premium 8" f/6 cost 6x more than a Hardin or Orion 8"?).

Finally, I say that if you're making $20-something an hour making premium scopes, you're probably doing pretty good compared to the others. I think I read on Tom Noe's Teleport site sometime back that he made something like $15/hour. I have made a few custom high-end medium aperture wooden dobs for others and by the time I divide my ~$1,000 by the 200+ hours it takes me to make one, I'm doing a lot worse than you. Apparently, high-end custom scope making is a labor of love for most who get involved in it.

Having said that, your design has increasingly grown on me and others I have talked to. Who knows, you may eventually gain a following sufficient to command the price and economies of scale you desire. I do believe there is a market for high-end astro gear at a fair price, but it is probably a bit smaller than one would normally want.

And now for a question: who supplies your primaries over 18-inches? I'm thinking an emerald green, midnight blue, or metallic fleck black 22" StarStructure with a Pegasus primary might just be the ticket for me someday (but I need that rocker box flattened or squared up a bit somehow... -kidding!!- )

Lee

Just thought I'd share some cell and power supply photos from my latest project...

Lee

Hey Michael,

That's a really great job. Very integrated and clean. Rick Singmaster should take some lessons from YOU ;^) (Seriously).

Lee

Just testing my ability to recognize woodworking signatures. Is this scope from the same maker who made your 12.5"? If so, who is the woodworker?

http://www.astromart.com/classifieds/details.asp?classified_id=290289

Lee

It's been several months since I took down my site and changed email addresses. I started remodeling my home around the same time, so I didn't pay much attention to whether people could actually contact me or see photos of some of my past work until I received an email from an old acquaintance saying he'd almost given up hope reaching me. I guess I've been hiding.

So I decided to put a quick page back up showing some of my past scope projects, just in case anyone is interested, though my time to respond to questions is pretty limited for the next few months. I look forward to being able to get back to some unfinished ATM projects, as well as dreaming up some new ones.

http://members.aol.com/comabereni

I'm going back into lurk mode now, but have been dropping by every once in awhile to see how my ATM brethren have been getting along. Nice to see all of you still alive and kicking.

Paul "Lee" Stock

P.S. My oldest son Joseph and most recent completion in the attached photo (way back last year...)

I'm only just getting into SCT's, having always made my own telescopes in the past (see profile), but I really like my "new" setup and thought I'd share a photo or two. The Super Polaris was overhauled and given a fresh set of legs last year by Astromart member Bill Vance. The C8 is from the same mid-to-late 80's era and makes an attractive mate to the SP. I put these two together from separate purchases, but understand Celestron bundled this OTA with the Super Polaris at some point.

The mount is in fantastic shape and includes the DD-1 controller with a pair of MT-1 motors, though I really prefer to steer my scopes around by hand after hunting objects down using a star map. The old style reverse dovetail system gives the OTA a unique look compared with the standard OTA-mounted dovetail common today.

This is a really great looking and functioning combo. And yes, the C8 has great optics, so it is as enjoyable to look through as it is to look at. In the attached photo, the scope is set up in one of the alcoves in my home office. I'll just be honest and say that I like to look at telescopes just as much as I like looking through them.

Lee