Background: Why a Dobsonian? Build a Backyard Dobsonian Telescope 1. Since you are reading this, you are probably considering to build your own Dobsonian telescope. The clock drive of the University of Liverpool Cooke refractor in 1978. The Bearings: ¾ inch N-N birch plywood. One of the best qualities of the Dobsonian telescopes is their versatility. Apply two coats of external quality undercoat and topcoat paint to all surfaces, rubbing down between coats. 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. Recycle a long cardboard tube from wrapping paper into a homemade telescope with these plans. Length = 16". Believe it or not, this telescope was built almost entirely (90%) in an apartment! Since you are reading this, you are probably considering to build your own Dobsonian telescope. Step 2: BUILDING THE ALTITUDE BEARINGS. Step 4—Attaching the Side Bearings and assembling the Rocker Step 5—The Pivot Bolt. The focuser does the job of focusing the light as it comes … Mount the focuser on to the optical tube. DIY Dobsonian Telescope. This page provides detailed plans and instructions how to build one. Starry constellations, comets, planets and meteors will appear almost close enough to touch with this large and powerful DIY telescope. 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 story of my quest to build a large, portable telescope for visual use. You can buy some ready made parts, or you can make everything on your own, including the mirrors and eyepieces. This is the upper tube that contains the flat secondary mirror, Telrad finder, and focuser. Build the secondary cage. * To build an even bigger telescope, read The Dobsonian Telescope: A Practical Manual for Building Large Aperture Telescopes, by David Kriege and Richard Berry. Many thousands of astronomers have constructed their own Dobsonians, but the satisfaction of building your own mount is immense. In this section we will show you how to build a complete Dobsonian Telescope. Step 6—Stain and Finish. To build the Dobsonian telescope, you need to construct a simple optical tube with baffles. 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. This book will expertly guide you through every step of design, construction, and mirror making. 3. The Dobsonian telescope is simplicity itself: a Newtonian reflector mounted on a basic altaz mount. Step 3: … I have been fascinated by astronomy since childhood. Sand all the components and round the corners of the two bases. The Box: ½ inch N-N birch plywood. Building your own scope presents the opportunity to … I … When it comes to the weight of these scopes, they can weigh between 5 and 200 pounds! You can buy some ready made parts, or you can make everything on your own, including the mirrors and eyepieces. This page provides detailed plans and instructions how to build one. BUILDING a DOBSONIAN TELESCOPE MOUNT Step 1: BUILDING THE ADJUSTABLE CRADLE. 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. 2. If there’s one “must read” and “must own” book on building a Dob, its The Dobsonian Telescope by David Kriege & Richard Berry . The core of the telescope, the steel mirror cell holds and adjusts the heavy, curved... 2. Building a Large Dobsonian Telescope. 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. Construct the mirror cell. The cardboard tube can be… 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 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. Our 6" f/7.5 Newtonian-Dobsonian. At this point, the scope was pretty much finished.