Sorry school has been extremely intense these last couple of weeks and I have not had time to post on the blog. I have how ever been working on the telescope a bunch. I got my "strings" figured out and completed.(but wrong length). I also got my poles figured out as well.
For the strings I used 6 gauge wire and created eyes on each end just like rigging on a sailboat. I was hoping to use no stretch bowstring but there is no store in the Pacific Northwest that I could find that sold it. So as always I had to improvise.
For poles I have used 3/4" type L copper pipe with hard wood dowels in the middle. I have finally got 7/16 nuts attached to the bottom with gorilla glue. First I tried soldering them in, then two part epoxy but the gorilla glue seems to be holding so far.
The secondary is completed and has had a final sand and is has been treated with teak oil. My mom says it looks.......gorgeous. So that must be good.
I did a mock up of the strings and poles using real string and dowels.
I also finished my mirror cell
Everything so far except for the mirrors has been homemade versions that I have created in my head from looking at other peoples work and then going to the hardware store and spending hours looking for what I think may be a combination of things that may work.
But it all looks like it is coming together.
Take care and thanks for stopping bye,
Nate G
Nate,
ReplyDeleteThis is a remarkable project, with all of its twists and turns. I just sent the link down to Dave Powell, at the Oregon Star Party. Looks like you're having fun polishing the wood, as you wait for the final supplies to arrive. I'm wondering if there is an online source for the bowstring you were looking for? I'm looking forward to seeing this telescope in action, and faculty and students at Evergreen are interested in seeing it come out under the starts as well.
Including research and construction, can you let folks know how many hours you spent on this project, from start to finish? Take care.