Dobsonian Making

[ben joseph]

Hi Everyone

Im a secondary school science teacher / amatuer astronomer and im very interested in learning how to construct my own dobsonian telescope, all the way from the tube to grinding my own mirrors. To be honest I am thinking of doing this as part of an after school astronomy club in my teaching role.

I have been addicted to watching clips of jon dobson, and seeing how in america, they use to have telescope evening classes you could attend, and grind mirrors and work on your design. Do we not have anything like that over here in the UK?

Im trying to find out if there are any telescope building workshops anywhere in or around the West Midlands? That I could either attend, or whether it may be possible to have someone come in to our school and help us with the mirror grinding and construction instructions etc.

Im hoping to start this in the new term (sept) so any posts to help me with this would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Ben Joseph
West Midlands

[welshboy]

Hi' The only idea i can think of is to try and find a astronomy meetings in your area.Maybe they can help you out with a scope,i know that people do make their own.Mark

[Kleftiwallah]

I considered doing this until I was given a 10" dobsonian on long term loan.

Excellent book "Build your own Telescope" by Richard Berry.
I.S.B.N. 0-943396-42-5 all types of telescope plus grinding mirrors. Cheers, Tony.

[nytecam]

Ben - many astro clubs, including our own [Ewell AS] had Telescope Making Groups in the past but most members have since got too rich and idle. You could be lucky in your area. I made a couple of mirrors [4.5" + 6"] in my youth - when broke!

Our girls school, where we meet, have built Dobs but not sure if they ground the mirrors - and a rooftop observatory www.ewell-as.co.uk

[woodbob123]

Hi I would suggest you make a simple grinding machine first and then a 8" mirror with a long focal length as then you will save the work and problems of figuering especially on your first one, as easy to make as a 6". Making the rest of the telescope is a daunting challange without a workshop. I would be happy to explain how to make a grinding machine using a hub from a vehicle as the main bearing I used a transit van one, motor/gearbox from a wheelchair and plywood, also the method i used to make our 24" mirror its not finished yet as i can not afford to have it coated, will finish hopefully this year. First have to convert my van into a camper so we can move it around. If you are passing Newport SE Wales would be happy to show you all I know. Robert