SAO CARTON 100MM F/13 "MARY DAWSON" REFRACTOR OTA BUILD OVERVIEW

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The mounted Carton 100mm f/13 Fully-Coated Achromatic Objective Lens and Cell purchased from Sheldon Faworski. (Front View) The mounted Carton 100mm f/13 Fully-Coated Achromatic Objective Lens and Cell purchased from Sheldon Faworski. (Rear View) 6" OD x 3" billet of T-6061 aluminum chucked in Brian Choin's lathe in prepartion to mill the rear objective cell. Brian Choin begins milling of the 6" OD x 3" billet of T-6061 aluminum fabricating the rear objective cell on his lathe. With the rear cell's milling complete, Brian drills the holes for mounting it to the main tube. Front view of the completed objective rear cell.
Side view of the completed objective rear cell. GSO Crayford focuser, 2" to 1.25" adapter, and focuser tube adapter. 4" OD x 48" L T-6063 uncut aluminum main tube. Perpendicular line being etched into the main tube in prepartion to cut it to correct length. Completing cutting of the main tube to the right length with hacksaw. The main tube successfully cut to size with a hacksaw.
Removing the sharp burrs from the freshly cut main tube with small files. Burrs removed; leaving a smooth edge. The focuser to main tube adapter with centering shim. The focuser adapter and shim test fitted on the main tube. Marking where the holes will be drilled for attachment of the focuser to main tube adapter followed by the GSO Crayford focuser. Setting up for laser alignment of the focuser to the main tube.
Setup complete for laser aligning the focuser to the main tube. Alignment achieved! Reaming out the rear cell to fit the outside of the main tube.. Rear cell slides on easily after reaming with a drum sander. Dew Shield test fit to the milled rear cell. Test fit sucessful after laser alignment to the main tube.
External OTA components test fitting successfully completed. Carton 100mm f/13 test fit to the rear cell was successful. 4" x 10" x .032" Aluminum sheet for baffles. All four baffles held in vise to smooth out their outer edges. Knife edge being applied. Holes being drilled in baffles to accept three threaded rods.
                                                       

Here in Part 1 of 3, the above assemblage of thumbnails depicts the step-by-step build process of the Vega Sky Centers 'SAO Carton 100mm f/13 'Mary Dawson' Refractor optical tube assembly construction overview. The telescope bears the name of my mother, to whom I accredit much of my success in life. Her unwavering love, guidance, and confidence has definitely made a difference in my life and well-being. Though I was faced with unexpected health issues, my passion and conviction to get this scope completed was unwavering. And because of my mother's perseverance and strength a poured a lot of heart and soul into the building of this fine telescopic instrument. May this fine instrument represent well the qualities for which my mother always tried to instill in my family and everyone else that crossed her path.

In a series of three parts, I will provide a detailed overview of the telescopes construction. It is my sincere wish that each individual seeking information in the pursuit of building their own telescopes will find all, or part of this chronicle beneficial. To start the tour, please click on the first image (upper-left.) Each thumbnail accessed will provide a larger photo including a caption note. If you have any questions or comments, please email us at: 

vsc-astronomers@vega-sky-center.com

 

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