SAO 127MM F/9.4 'BRIGADIER GENERAL RICHARD PIERCE' REFRACTOR CRADLE RINGS PREPARATION

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The Cradle Ring Design on Paper Cradle Ring Templates ready for tracing onto the Teakwood. Cradle Ring Templates traced onto the Teakwood. Cradle Ring sections rough cut. Cradle Ring sections cut and sanded.
Cradle Ring Hinge Plates being cut out. Cradle Ring Hinge Plates cut out and ready for shaping. Cradle Ring Hinge Plates being shaped on a bench grinder. The Cradle Rings after shaping on a bench gringer. One of the Cradle Rings and Hinge Plates being test fitted.
Cradle Ring Hinge Plate - Complete! The Cradle Ring sections drilled and slotted. The Cradle Ring sections drilled and slotted from another perspective. The Cradle Rings - Primed. The Cradle Rings - Painted.
Paint job completed for the Cradle Ring sections. Felt liners added to the Cradle Ring sections. The Cradle Ring sections being test fitted before the hardware is added. The Cradle Ring Dowel Nuts being prepped for painting. The Cradle Ring Dowel Nuts painted.
Top-view of one of the Knurl Knob used to lock the telescope into the Cradle Rings.   Bottom-view of one of the Knurl Knob used to lock the telescope into the Cradle Rings.
                                                             

Now that the optical tube assembly for the VSC/ SAO 127mm f/9.4 Brigadier General Richard Pierce refractor is complete, let us move on to the construction of the Cradle Rings. Construction of the Cradle Rings you say! Why not purchase a pair! Well, I considered doing just that, but I figured that I would get a great deal more satisfaction from making my own. Especially since the OTA and all other major pairs are going to be homebuilt too. It was definitely a worthwhile project, to say the least. So, as always... If you have any questions, comments, or would like more information, please email us at: 

vsc-astronomers@vega-sky-center.com

 

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