[SJAAboard] Scope 8

[Rob Hawley]

I would be happier with the scope if it was designed to break apart.  If you
don't remember the Zeider scope then consult these

http://www.sjaa.net/loaners/scope39

The first picture shows the components.  The Zeider scope contains some
marvelous engineering.  One of the examples is that the mirror cover fits
>>directly<< on the mirror.  This protects the mirror when you slip the
mirror box off.  The entire mirror/mirror cell comes off in a single piece
directly into a foam container for transport.

An alternative design for #8 would be to use a hinged sling.  There is a
great picture of one of these on page 131 of "The Dobsonian Telescope" by
Kriege, et al. That particular design technique might not be contemporary to
when scope #8 was made, but as the Zeider scope showed, people in SJAA were
thinking about this problem. While I would rather not touch the mirror, I
would be OK with that if it was just placing it in an exposed sling.

And then why did he paint instead of using something like MinWax?
http://www.sjaa.net/loaners/scope08/IMG_20071201_0107.JPG


As the writeup says, I looked at it and decided that I could improve it.
However, I would rather write a check for a new scope than spend a summer
building something that would have been just OK.


Rob Hawley