Re: Grinding a mirror vs buying complete

On Tue, 14 Feb 2006 15:23:30 -0600, Dan <mowcat@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

I am beginning to think about building my own Newtonian. Is there a fairly
major saving in grinding one's own mirror vs purchasing a completed mirror
from one of the top makers?

Also, can anyone recommend a good book on making a Newtonian?

Thanks,
Dan


For a smallish scope (4" - 10") you will likely spend more
than you would ever save. However, the undertaking can be
quite rewarding (and frustrating, and disappointing) if you
have the right interests, aptitudes and temperment.

It is a separate skill from general amateur astronomy. But
successully completing and using a scope of your own creation
can be a mark of achievement that owners of store-bought scopes
can only imagine and perhaps envy.

For a first scope, I would recommend Sam Brown's "All About
Telescopes". I have a review at Amazon.

However, I would caution you that unless you like working with
your hands, and you like to tinker, fix and improvise; and
you have an aptitude for both patience and diligent effort,
you may want to opt for an easier solution.

You may find some useful information at my website:
http://larryg54.home.texas.net/atm_and_amateur_astronomy.html

Cheers,
Larry G.

----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet News==----
http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups
----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Oscilloscope for testing CB?
    ... If you want to test CBs and their power output, I would recommend a dummy load (which can be ... If, by "testing", you mean find what is wrong with it, I would suggest just any oscilloscope ... What concerns me is that, as you need to ask what 'scope to get, you may not really know what ...
    (uk.rec.radio.cb)
  • Re: Which scope for a Rem 700 / .30-06?
    ... A Leupold FXII 4x 33mm is all you _need_ for big game hunting with a ... I recommend ... carry a spare pre-zero'd scope. ...
    (rec.guns)
  • Re: Got a Telescope, Now What?
    ... It will recommend ... What I'm missing is a practical guide to using the telescope. ... Should I replace the existing finder scope with something better? ... Is it even worth it to buy accessories for my level of scope? ...
    (sci.astro.amateur)
  • Re: Buying Assistance Requested
    ... recommend as my first scope. ... I have a basic understanding of the different ... money that I have as this may be the only scope I have for quite some time. ... In that price range, and with what you say above, I would recommend a Dobsonian .. ...
    (sci.astro.amateur)
  • Re: Grinding a mirror vs buying complete
    ... major saving in grinding one's own mirror vs purchasing a completed mirror ... from one of the top makers? ... can anyone recommend a good book on making a Newtonian? ...
    (sci.astro.amateur)