Mirror Box Completed

I spent some time in the wood shop this evening and I got the mirror box done.  It turned out really well.  This time, I used screws (and later glue when the final assembly occurs) instead of the pocket holes on the 12.5" scope.

The back view.   The top hole will be used for the fan controls.  The two bottom holes are for the fans that will blow across the mirror face.

Bottom view.  The central hole is for the back fan.  The three larger holes are for ventilation.

View with the mirror.  It is slowly coming together!

Next up is finishing up the secondary ring and then the rocker/box ground board.

More progress on the 16" and other things...

I found a little space heater my wife bought me a while ago and decided to put it to some good use.  It kept me somewhat warm while working on the 16" scope.  Did you know that the top of tablesaw is downright frigid?  I finished the top of the mirror box and found that I need to pick up some extra wood.  I am going to have Dennis at dobstuff.com build a new focuser board for me too.  I will be sending my focuser his way here this week.  Dennis does awesome work!

Fellow ATM and friend, Gary, made a wonderful light shroud for the 12.5".  I hope to get some pictures of it soon and will post them.

This winter has been brutal.  I can probably count on one hand the amount of clear skies we have had since the beginning of December.  I really miss the stars.  I am already in galaxy season mode and cannot wait to use the 16" on the spring sky.

Secondary Ring Started!

This past Sunday, I braved the cold and started on the secondary ring.  I used the brackets made by Dennis at Dobstuff.com and they worked perfectly!  The ring is made of 3/4" Baltic Birch plywood and is 21" in diameter.  The inside of the ring is 17" in diameter.  I will probably have Dennis make a new focuser board because I marred this one up from drilling holes.  I still attached it to the ring to get an idea of how it will look.

I have the places marked for the Moonlight truss system.  I hope to finish the ring over the next week.  Then it will be time to work on the mirror box.