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Posts Made By: Darrell Hensley

May 11, 2006 07:13 AM Forum: Telescope Making

Isn't it amazing?

Posted By Darrell Hensley
Floyd,I;m glad somebody finally said something,being new to astromart I didnt want to butt in or seem rude,but guys lets get back on track and talk about building some telescopes.I monitor this forum because its usually very informative,not for spelling bee's.Anyway 2 days is quite enough for it.Now-someone needs to start a new thread on building telescopes,I'm trying to learn from you guys.Thanks,Darrell Hensley

June 8, 2006 06:32 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Tube Inside Diameter

Posted By Darrell Hensley
Taylor,As I too am new at building telescopes,the diameter of the tube should be 2" larger than your primary in most cases.I'm sure that some are less.But almost all the plans I've seen and even used one required the tube to be 2" larger.12"tube for a 10" mirror etc.Clear skies,Darrell Hensley P.S. Good luck and have fun with it.

June 23, 2006 05:37 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Meridian Telescopes Spiders

Posted By Darrell Hensley
Stuart,I'm about to use one for a 12" ID tube.It was just delivered yesterday.If my secondary comes in today or tomorrow I hope to be using it tomorrow night.By the time I finally got my 10" dob built I had to go cheap or wait quite a while to get the more expensive.The vanes are very thin so hopefully O.K. there.It went together easily .It comes with the holder that could be moved up or down easily also.If I can get it all going tomorrow night I'll post it.That is if I don't have to big of a honey-do list.Just off on week-ends.Darrell Hensley

June 29, 2006 04:54 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

Suggestions for eye pieces etc.

Posted By Darrell Hensley
Michael,I was like you and wanted better and more eyepieces in a hurry.I bought the celestron eyepiece and color filter set from telescopes.com They have a sale right now on 6 EP's and 7 filters for 139.00.They're of pretty good quality,good heavy eyepieces.I get very decent views with them.After that you can find some great eyepieces on the Astromart classifieds one at a time as you want to buy them,much less than retail price.These guys arent trying to make a living selling their old eyepieces and they are as good as new.Hope that helps.Clear skies,Darrell Hensley

July 3, 2006 07:14 AM Forum: Telescope Making

What's the best BRUSH-ON flat black paint?

Posted By Darrell Hensley
Doug,I've used the krylon flat black twice and when I'm done I spot check for thinner spots.I just spray directly onto a cheap sponge type brush to do the finish work.It does fine and is quicker than trying to brush the entire tube.I ran out of kryon here lately and noticed I had some of the gas grill spray paint and used it on an aluminum extension I had to add to my tube,I liked it even better and it seems to hold better on the metal,I used it also on some of the sonotube.Its a flatter black than the krylon and dries in about 5 minutes.Just whatever is easier for you is how to do it.Good luck,Darrell

July 4, 2006 06:08 AM Forum: Telescope Making

Ceramic Mirror

Posted By Darrell Hensley
John,Ever since I read this idea earlier today I've thought and thought about how it could be made to work.Ceramics are more porus than plate glass-I think, so maybe it could be coated after it's been ground to smoothness.But sometimes a piece of ceramic will crack from just drying out for long lengths of time and seems to be more fragile.I may not even know what I'm talking about,I've never made anything from ceramics.After being coated it may work just fine but with all the extra precautions it may even be more expensive,then again maybe it would'nt need too much extra done to it.Surely theres someone out there that knows a lot more about ceramics than we do,any thoughts onthe subject guys and gals? I'd kind of like to know myself.Darrell

July 10, 2006 04:53 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Window shade shroud

Posted By Darrell Hensley
Maybe treating it with scotch guard or something similar would protect them from dew.You'd probably want to do this maybe on a monthly basis.Maybe I dont know what I'm talking about but it works great on tents to keep them from leaking.Darrell Hensley

July 18, 2006 07:39 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Recommend light (~26oz) astro binoculars?

Posted By Darrell Hensley
Hello Tom,I was just looking at a pair I was thinking about getting for myself,theres a lot of discussion on them being a help in finding objects.Jon and these other fellows know a lot more about them as I have never tried them.Anyway,I found a pair at the Meade factory outlet web page for 79.00 and free shipping.They are the Meade capture view.They weigh 24.9 ounces and are 8 x 42mm.They have a built in camera,a case,strap and software for the camera.They may or may not be any good but I have been thinking of getting them for myself.Clear skies,Darrell Hensley

July 18, 2006 05:36 PM Forum: Telescope Making

All wood (almost) 6-inch

Posted By Darrell Hensley
Wow Mark,This is a great looking scope.Did you buy plans to build it or was it just something you did on your own idea? I'd love to make my 6" look like this.It would give me something to do on the week-ends besides mowing the yard and watching all the things happening on the news. How did you make the tube? Sincerely, Darrell Hensley

July 19, 2006 06:54 AM Forum: Reflectors

Rain-X on eyepieces

Posted By Darrell Hensley
Thanks Greg,I'll try the hair-dryer until the dew strips come in.clear skies, Darrell Hensley

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