Expert: Paul Wagner - 4/14/2008

Question
QUESTION: Where can I find pictures of an equ mount to get good construction ideas. I have a 14" 3/4" wall tube with 3" trunions to use as a starting point and I an building it one bolt at a time on ss funds so I don't buy ready made.         Thank you for any help

ANSWER: HI Robert

This is a big scope.  I have a 13.5 inch scope, but the fl is only about 65 inches! I am a little concerned about airflow in your tube--you may want to include some kind of fan to move the air and get the temperature stabilized quickly...

As for EQ mounts for something like this...I would avoid the German mount---way too unweildy for something this size.  And the eyepiece positions can be crazy.  That leaves you with a fork mount of some kind or maybe a platform?  I would vote for the platform because it is easy, quick, and works well for just about everything except photography. f

There are some great books with ideas on these--it's a  very creative bunch of people who build scopes. Here are a few webpages to study, to get you stated;

http://stellafane.org/atm/atm_info.htm

http://stellafane.org/misc/links.html

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

Have fun!

Paul Wagner



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Where can I get a compass rose of sufficient size to use with my scope project. I looking for over 12 " to 4 ft dia.     Thank you

Answer
Hi Robert

You are asking a great question--I once spent about two years looking on-line for one of these, and never did find one.  I think the only thing you can do is create your own.  It's a lot of work.  I would go to a local graphic designer--who might be able to create something using one of these images:

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?p=compass+rose&fr=yfp-t-501&toggle=

You will need a fairly high resolution, so vector art may be a better choice.  Take a look at these search results to see if you find one you like:

http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=compass+rose+vector+art&fr=yfp-t-501&toggle=1&c

And Getty images has some of these as well:

http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Search.aspx?contractUrl=1&language=en-US&famil

Paul Wagner