What could I see with a 33" ?Posted By James Adams |
You could count Yoda's nose hairs.
Posts Made By: James Adams
June 28, 2003 12:59 AM
Forum:
Equipment Talk
July 16, 2003 07:12 PM
Forum:
Equipment Talk
New EquipmentPosted By James Adams |
Swiss Army Scope by Orion:
When it turns out to have a bad objective, Orion Tech Support will tell you it's really wonderful, and suggest you sell it to some sucker on *-bay if you don't like it.
When it turns out to have a bad objective, Orion Tech Support will tell you it's really wonderful, and suggest you sell it to some sucker on *-bay if you don't like it.
July 18, 2003 09:37 PM
Forum:
Telescope Making
Laminating plywoodPosted By James Adams |
William,
I use springbars, slightly curved pieces of lumber which extend across the plywood on one or both sides and which are then clamped tightly. If you clamp the ply to a very solid flat surface, you only put the bars across one side, if not, do both sides, but it's harder to get it to come out flat.
Use a roller or brush to spread the glue on both surfaces [unless you are using urethane glue], and be sure it's still wet when you clamp. If you use urethane, moisten one side with water before clamping.
James Adams
I use springbars, slightly curved pieces of lumber which extend across the plywood on one or both sides and which are then clamped tightly. If you clamp the ply to a very solid flat surface, you only put the bars across one side, if not, do both sides, but it's harder to get it to come out flat.
Use a roller or brush to spread the glue on both surfaces [unless you are using urethane glue], and be sure it's still wet when you clamp. If you use urethane, moisten one side with water before clamping.
James Adams
August 16, 2003 02:54 PM
Forum:
Equipment Talk
Orion's new intelliscope linePosted By James Adams |
Andy,
I've had problems with Orion's tech support also. I have found them to be patronizing and arrogant. I used to recommend their products to newbies, now I send them to Anacortes et al.
I've had problems with Orion's tech support also. I have found them to be patronizing and arrogant. I used to recommend their products to newbies, now I send them to Anacortes et al.
August 17, 2003 12:41 AM
Forum:
Home Observatories
Lanphier Window /GlassPosted By James Adams |
Dan,
I thought I had heard that Baader Planetarium was to come out with a film for astronomical use which was clear and had high transmission properties. I do not know if it has happened, or will happen soon.
James Adams
I thought I had heard that Baader Planetarium was to come out with a film for astronomical use which was clear and had high transmission properties. I do not know if it has happened, or will happen soon.
James Adams
August 26, 2003 09:43 AM
Forum:
Equipment Talk
2-inch Barlow under 2X?Posted By James Adams |
William,
Antares has a 1.6 X Barlow in the 2". I have one, but haven't really had a chance to evaluate it. I think it might really be more than 1.6 X.
James Adams
Antares has a 1.6 X Barlow in the 2". I have one, but haven't really had a chance to evaluate it. I think it might really be more than 1.6 X.
James Adams
August 29, 2003 01:53 PM
Forum:
Equipment Talk
Vibration suppression pads???Posted By James Adams |
I use the vibration suppression pads with my GM-8 and Meade HD Field Tripod, and they cut damping time in half or better. A good investment, IMO.
September 9, 2003 02:00 AM
Forum:
Equipment Talk
Most disappointing telescope purchase.Posted By James Adams |
An Orion SpaceProbe 5" f 6.9 reflector I bought my son for Christmas. Turned out, the mirror wasn't a paraboloid but spherical, too fast to make a good image at any power above 40 X. Orion maintains a spherical figure on an f 6.9 mirror is adequate. Cross Orion off my list.
September 14, 2003 07:07 PM
Forum:
Telescope Making
Woodworking tools: What's needed, practical ?Posted By James Adams |
I'm a professional cabinetmaker with my own shop [35 years], so I already have everything. My minimum setup for light woodworking would be a benchsaw [tablesaw], maybe the Ryobi, something that would cut to the center of a 4' X 8' sheet of plywood, or 24". A takeoff table for it, so you can slide the sheet off without it overbalancing. Small jointer, maybe Delta. Drillpress. Drill motors, router, sabersaw, belt sander, orbital sander.
For increased capabilities, a pockethole cutter, plate joiner, bandsaw, Fein machine, doweling jig, planer, router table, and LOTS of clamps.
Use pushsticks, hold-downs, and jigs for safety, wear eye and face protection, and don't do any operation you're not comfortable with.
For increased capabilities, a pockethole cutter, plate joiner, bandsaw, Fein machine, doweling jig, planer, router table, and LOTS of clamps.
Use pushsticks, hold-downs, and jigs for safety, wear eye and face protection, and don't do any operation you're not comfortable with.
October 2, 2003 03:31 AM
Forum:
Telescope Making
apple ply versus baltic birchPosted By James Adams |
I haven't used much Apple Ply, but lots of Baltic birch, also known as Finn birch. Both have hardwood multi-ply cores and water resistant glue. Apple may be maple, I'm not sure. Apple is prettier, and available in 4' X 8' sheets, while the birch is available in 5' X 5' and 8' X 4' [cross sanded] sheets. The birch comes in 1/16", 1/8", 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 3/4" and 1" thicknesses, or the metric equivalents. Both plies are very rigid and strong. The edges are attractive without requiring banding, and voids are rare.
Baltic birch is less expensive, last I looked about $30 for a 5' X 5' X 1/2" sheet from my supplier.
Baltic birch is less expensive, last I looked about $30 for a 5' X 5' X 1/2" sheet from my supplier.
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