I had the opporunity a few months back at a party to view the moon from an DIY 10" reflector telescope. I had no idea what I was in for! WoW! Just amazing. Being the pilot that I am, I've always been intrested in the atmosphere and the science of our outer world. So I think I have turned myself onto the world of DIY telescopes! Playing with optics is so fun, and it has so many practical applications in DIY.

Here are some websites I'd like to share. I've been doing my homework. These telescopes are so simple.

http://members.aol.com/sfsidewalk/dobplans.htm

You can download thier version of the LL guide for free!
http://pages.sbcglobal.net/raycash/manualv2.pdf

I'm thinking about an 6 or 8" to start.

http://www.astropix.com/HTML/L_STORY/DOB.HTM

I made a 6" reflector (still use it ) back in the late 70's. the Adler planetarium had a class where you ground the mirror, built the tube, the equitorial mount. I also made the 3" finder scope, thats the first DIY I ever did. you know mars is at it's closest aproach now. I have always liked astronomy, and space science. one of my favorite channels is the NASA channel, nothing like seeing the earth from the ISS on a 132" screen!

I can tell you from experience that the most expensive piece will be the primary mirror. I should also warn you that once you have built one, its a REALLY easy jump to want to build another LARGER one...

They call it "apeture fever"
Its very contagious...

But is is a great hobby. I remeber the first time I saw Saturn through a scope, I ran inside shouting to my wife "Honey! Honey! C'mere. You have to see this ! Its SOOOOO Cooollll!!!!"

Its even better if you have children! Madison saw the moon close up for the fist time with a 110 Dob, then I upgrade to an 8 Dob. She took a look and went "Whoa........Im glad you sold the other one...It so big.."

If you do decide to build, give yourself the option of 2 inch lenses by getting a two inch mount with a 1.25 adapter. Big glass means big skies!

It's a plauge alright, already got that one here at LL.

Hmm....
My XGA just isn't good enough, lets buy a WUXGA panel - $760
Well this throw sucks, let's get the Pro Lenses - $270

Next it will be
This screen could be better
...experiment with LF untill I get it right

Then
Oh well I'm sick of running my one comptuer as a HTPC, Office, and gaming system.
...let's build a HTPC system.


I need a second job just to support my damn hobbies!

Sounds like my first set of scopes....1.5 inch refractor? too small
114MM reflector newton? still too small
8 inch Dobsonian...ahhhh thats a little better

Now you have to choose some lenses (You mean I have choices?!)

Expensive, but worth it. The Rain Curse is the big problem...as soon as you get a new scope, the skies are dark for weeks...

Funny that, we're in the process of building a Dob here at LL.

Hmmm. Always dreamed of having an observatory...
http://www.buytelescopes.com/container.asp...onstruction.htm
this would be a great DIY project

Wow Lux, that is really cool. I always wanted to buy an old farm and turn the silo into an observatory. that would be the perfect top.

What are your specs?

Well, We haven't decided on a mirror yet. We're thinking a 12" f5. Suggestions?

That sounds very nice. Are you going the Sonotube route or are you thinking trussed design? Sonotube might be easier first time around. Nice stuff. Makes good subwoofers too...

Where are you sourcing your mirror from?

12 inch f5 should give a nice deep pool of stars with a little bit of magnification.
I just got new set of lenses I am dying to try, but ( naturally ) we havent had a clear night since I got them...

Going big eh Brain? Can anyone tell me what size mirror they recommend for a first build, something that I will be happy with untill I come up with the $$ for a 12-20" mirror? I'm looking at 6" or 8" now and they are priced $125-200 various places.

Wow... Thats a tough question Fly. I guess it all really depends on how heavy your use is and how big your tolerance for setting up is. Right now I have an 8 inch Dob which is great because I can just drag it out onto the porch and have a look see...Im happy with that because I am a semi-serious user and its always right there. I have other friends who swear by larger scopes but are also night stalkers. These are the guys and gals who go to Star parties and stay up till near dawn hunting stars and nebula. Voracious coffee drinkers, rabid with cold limbs and fingers, these folks also carry smaller scopes in their car in case the need presents...

Before I would do a first build, I would check out a few early evening star parties and wander around and ask folks for a peep in their scope. Most folks I know are very happy to show you. Ask a few questions and soak it all in. Go to a few more and talk some more then try to decide on a model that best fits your needs/wants/desires and see if you can balance them out.

I only say this because it cant be stressed enough. The number one killer of astronomy newbies is a bad scope or a bad pairing of scope and person.

Im betting you will like an 8 first time out. Most folks do.
It sounds like you are already well aware of what you are doing, so if I sound preachy its just to say it for the sake of saying it. I see too many people who have scopes they dont like.

But the ones who do like their scopes, well they are insanely happy.

SJ.

I think I'm in the same boat here. I will probably like to drag this out on my back portch every now and then too, but I'll need something good enough to keep me intrested. I've peeked into a 6" newtonian and thought that was pretty sweet. So I think i'm right on the money with an 8"

I'm looking at this
mirrow now. Edmundhas some too but pretty expensive.

My brother is working on an 8" Newtonian and is part of a local group of amatuer astrononmers in Howard, Ohio.
Those guys go all out DIY with 12" and up newtonians with DIY "go-to" ect.
After I build my LL projector I might start building one with him, though I wish I could find some plans for a dual 12 Newtonian. Go-to is also a plus.

Orion seems to have the best basic gaurantee as far as getting what you pay for. You might want to try this site. They have matched sets of mirrors and kits for the DIY guy/gal. I have a friend who has bought two mirrors from these folks and the 8 inch he bought is widely acknowledged as the best 8 inch they have ever seen. They have a field rich kit for under 300 if I remember right.
I tend to shy away from Edmunds. Nice stuff, but pricey......

Geeze guys thanks......now I have to hurry up and finish my pj so I can start on a telescope...

Maybe I may go for a much larger mirror eBay has tons of them if you look around

samurai,

That place has a great deal, the 8" F/6 kit looks promising! Thanks!

Youre welcome Fly!

Griff30, be REALLY careful going mirror shopping on ebay. Most nightstalker I know are honest to a fault, but there are some out there that need to be "corrected in their thinking"...

If you are looking for auction type stuff, I would start here www.astromart.com

Wow after all this DIY Telescope talk, I decided to go out and build me a small scope for the backyard... It was really a fun build

http://www.waningmoonii.com/TK%20Laptop%20...able018_JPG.htm

Just kidding... Look at that thing though! Its like "Honey! I dont think thats going to fit through the door! Oh dont worry Dear, my plan is to just cut a hole through the side of the house!"

But if your looking for a good kit scope... This looks like a pretty good spot to check out.

http://www.astrosystems.biz/telekits.htm

When My wife saw the 8 inch Dob I have she looked at it and said "Wow! You bought a cannon?"

Just out of curiosity...

You guys in the 'know'...give me the rundown on offerings from Meade, such as:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller...list&sku=202779

DIY astro dome, pretty nifty

http://www.bearcreekobservatory.com/construction.htm

I've been reading alot of reviews on the Meade and Orion dobs. Basically the Meades are el cheapo, and I am hearing lots of good things about the Orions. Most are saying a better finder scope and some small mods to the mount and its a perfect scope.

Might just be spending the $360 on the Orion XT8 instead of the 300$ 8" kit.

heheheh telescopes,, biggest i have built was a 26", with fully driven alt az control,,,, i thought we was making PJ,s here,, hehheheh

also had a celestron 14 cass, in a fully auto controlled observatory,,, could access it it from anywhere in the world and command it too open dome and snap deep sky images,,, my gawd that was ten years ago now,, might post pics if anyone is interested to see...

slap em up!

This may sound like a weird question. But what is the diffrence in a telescope and a spotting scope? id like to build myself a spotting scope and was wondering if it would be the same consept.

Hi Smackre.

A spotting scope is for daytime use. That means that it will be smaller (usually) since you don't need the light gathering ability of the larger Newtonians. It will also give you a right side up image. Usually this is because it's a straight through refracting system, but it can also be by use of a correcting prism or mirror just before the eyepiece. Some scopes do double duty. My personal favorite as far as scope designs go is a Maksutov Cassegrain, the smaller ones are often called "reflector lenses" by the camera crowd and can be used as a spotter.

Astrogeek!

(Currently finishing my 13" Dob... then I start on the PJ... if I can bear to wait...but probably won't)

Happy to report Christmas was good this year. Just ordered the Orion XT10 Classic, hoping for arrival for new years night! No moon the first few days of Jan too! Hoping for clear skies.

I have too many hobbies!

Where did you purchase this from. I've always wanted to look at the stars up close. I live in the mountains with picture perfect skys on these ice cold winter nights. I just stand out there and look. My son-in-law came in for Christmas and it took him 5 minutes before he came into the house because looking at all the stars. Something the city folk don't see much of. I had to turn off the outside lights just so he could see the stars better.

Well if its an Orion XT-10 Classic, I bet he got it from Orion Telescopes. Nice outfit. Some stuff is a little on the high side, but you always get exactly what you ordered and their tech support is friendly and good natured.

Yea I got it directly from Orion $590 shipped

I have an 8 inch version of the Intelliscope Dob. Nice unit I just got a set of GSO's for my birthday. I want to settle the PJ down before I start skygazing again. But the crips weather is here...I feel the call of the porch!

wow my wife is so going to start kicking me off the computer because of these forums. now I want to build this along with a pj. My son has been asking for a telescope and I was going to dish out about $300 for a lesser one, might as well go with this..looks like something we can do together as well.