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Coathanger CR 399

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Posts Made By: Stephen Collett

March 1, 2007 12:12 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Same old new dob

Posted By Stephen Collett
Yeah, I recall clearly the near-orgasmic experience when I first looked through a 12.5" I had built. Must have been about 18 years ago. Mount Pinos. April. DARK sky. M13 with a Meade 14mm ultrawide. Breathtaking. I then developed a serious case of aperture fever that culminated in a 20" f/5.5 dob. Ah, to be young again!!

March 1, 2007 06:35 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Another case

Posted By Stephen Collett
What, no picture?

March 12, 2007 01:55 AM Forum: Pictures of Me and My Telescope and........

Throwback

Posted By Stephen Collett
I suspect this is a gorgeous scope, but from the angle of your picture I see little of the mount and I don't have a good feel for the overall length of the OTA. Can we get some more pictures? Posted to Classic Scopes forum?

March 17, 2007 09:01 PM Forum: Pictures of Me and My Telescope and........

Vixen 103ED on Pentax MS-3n

Posted By Stephen Collett
Isn't it usually the other way around?? Anybody's refractor on a Vixen SP type mount.

March 28, 2007 02:40 AM Forum: Mounts

Celestron C80

Posted By Stephen Collett
You've got the classic Polaris mount from the 80's. These are VERY nice. Best bet on the "ear" is to find someone to machine a replacement. I'd do it for you if you lived in Bakersfield!

March 28, 2007 06:04 AM Forum: Mounts

Building a declination gear brake/clutch

Posted By Stephen Collett
Not a good plan. The gear needs to be clutched on its faces. Attaching it to a smaller hub will only make it difficult to get the "grab" you will need. Also, you do NOT want to mess with the gear or any hub you would attach unless you've got it well centered on a lathe.

March 31, 2007 03:04 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Tonight, Refractor vs SCT!

Posted By Stephen Collett
Bring that refratctor to RTMC, man!!! Doesn't have to be a "shootout" -- both scopes will have their pluses and minuses. Nevertheless, the ATM world waits breathlessly for your reaction to the refractor. Does it have a lot of SA? Is there significant fringe color? Can it leap tall buildings with a single bound? (not sure about the last part).
Regards,
Steve in Bakersfield.

April 2, 2007 04:52 AM Forum: Home Observatories

THE WALLS ARE UP!!!!

Posted By Stephen Collett
I'd love to say it looks great too, Rick, but I can't seem to wait long enough for pictures to load from your site (may be my ISP's problem). Can you post a quick shot directly into Astromart for us?

April 5, 2007 04:23 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Meade 16" Mirror Thickness

Posted By Stephen Collett
Having built cells for several of them, I'm pretty confident they were based on 1-5/8" sheet pyrex.

April 27, 2007 04:38 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Small apo sensible for grab and go?

Posted By Stephen Collett
Absolutely!!! A couple of years ago I got a lens from an Orion ED80. Made the tube and rings (I have a lathe) and put it on a Meade one-arm goto altaz that I picked up at RTMC. Uses the 494 Autostar and has a good goto. I tightened up the mount, trashed the thin aluminum legs that came with it, and put it on the walnut tripod in the picture. Easy to transport, set up and use. I see it as my long-term "grab-and-go".

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