DIY Dobsonian Telescope. One of the best qualities of the Dobsonian telescopes is their versatility. 2. These detailed instructions will show you how to build a telescope that will allow you to see far up into the sky and get a closer look at the solar system. The sample we will build is a 6-inch f/7.5, however the plans can be scaled down to 4-inch scopes and up to 10- or 12-inch scopes of various focal ratios. The Bearings: ¾ inch N-N birch plywood. Many thousands of astronomers have constructed their own Dobsonians, but the satisfaction of building your own mount is immense. Our 6" f/7.5 Newtonian-Dobsonian. Step 6—Stain and Finish. The story of my quest to build a large, portable telescope for visual use. And, for a city boy who never went out in the garage to help Dad/Ward Cleaver make wooden thingies in the workshop, it was a formidable challenge! This is the upper tube that contains the flat secondary mirror, Telrad finder, and focuser. To build the Dobsonian telescope, you need to construct a simple optical tube with baffles. Starry constellations, comets, planets and meteors will appear almost close enough to touch with this large and powerful DIY telescope. Mount the focuser on to the optical tube. The cardboard tube can be… The clock drive of the University of Liverpool Cooke refractor in 1978. Centre the dovetail bar of your telescope on this line both vertically and horizontally, then mark and drill the two holes for attaching the tube rings. Step 2: BUILDING THE ALTITUDE BEARINGS. Plans for Building a Dobsonian Telescope brought to you by: The San Francisco Sidewalk Astronomers Yes, it "looks like a cannon," but the above is really a ten-inch (measured by the diameter of the objective) Newtonian telescope that almost anybody can build. Construct the mirror cell. Since you are reading this, you are probably considering to build your own Dobsonian telescope. * To build an even bigger telescope, read The Dobsonian Telescope: A Practical Manual for Building Large Aperture Telescopes, by David Kriege and Richard Berry. The Box: ½ inch N-N birch plywood. At this point, the scope was pretty much finished. Length = 16". 3. The Dobsonian telescope is simplicity itself: a Newtonian reflector mounted on a basic altaz mount. Since you are reading this, you are probably considering to build your own Dobsonian telescope. Building your own scope presents the opportunity to … This page provides detailed plans and instructions how to build one. The core of the telescope, the steel mirror cell holds and adjusts the heavy, curved... 2. Baffles are octagonal wood pieces that are placed within the tube which lend it support and help direct the light through the various mirrors and lenses of the tube. Building a Large Dobsonian Telescope. Sand all the components and round the corners of the two bases. If there’s one “must read” and “must own” book on building a Dob, its The Dobsonian Telescope by David Kriege & Richard Berry . You can buy some ready made parts, or you can make everything on your own, including the mirrors and eyepieces. You can buy some ready made parts, or you can make everything on your own, including the mirrors and eyepieces. Recycle a long cardboard tube from wrapping paper into a homemade telescope with these plans. Step 3: … I … In this section we will show you how to build a complete Dobsonian Telescope. When it comes to the weight of these scopes, they can weigh between 5 and 200 pounds! Step 4—Attaching the Side Bearings and assembling the Rocker Step 5—The Pivot Bolt. This design works well for wanting to casually view the night sky in a point-and-look manner, or if you’re in the mood to scout out a distant object. Build the secondary cage. I have been fascinated by astronomy since childhood. This book will expertly guide you through every step of design, construction, and mirror making. Build a Backyard Dobsonian Telescope 1. The focuser does the job of focusing the light as it comes … BUILDING a DOBSONIAN TELESCOPE MOUNT Step 1: BUILDING THE ADJUSTABLE CRADLE. Background: Why a Dobsonian? This page provides detailed plans and instructions how to build one. Believe it or not, this telescope was built almost entirely (90%) in an apartment! Apply two coats of external quality undercoat and topcoat paint to all surfaces, rubbing down between coats.