[SJAAboard] Analysis of Scope 8 (14" Homebuilt Dob)

[Gary Mitchell]

Rob Hawley wrote:

> I am going to offer to rebuild the 18" at the next board meeting.  We had to
> hunt around for a car that was large enough to transport it. It took
> multiple people to carry the pieces and loan it into the car since it does
> not have wheels. To me that was a clear sign that something needed to be
> fixed.
> 
> I could tackle the 14" first, but looking at the overall condition of the
> scope and comments from the last loanee makes me question the quality of the
> optics.  If anyone were going to approach a rebuild on this we would first
> have to have the mirror tested and possibly refigured.
> 
> An alternative would be to purchase (or solicit the donation of) a Meade 12"
> LightBridge.  This is a commercially available truss type scope.  Modern
> mirrors are half the weight of #8's 40 lbs. The 12" Lightbridge is $999, but
> many vendors are running Christmas specials.
> 
> 
> We should probably take the mirrors for 28 (the scope Albert is already
> committed to) and the 18" to Chabot to have them tested.  I would not be
> willing to spend the time on the 18 without that. We should have had scope
> 28's mirror tested this summer.

We can have a look at it too.  Tom loaned me his tester and we have two
days in December (15 & 27) reserved at Houge for the mirror making class.

Gary