Converting to a Dob

Hi folks,

I've got a Meade LXD55 10"SN. I like the scope, but it doesnt get the use it should. Mainly because it takes me 20 minutes or so to set up, and I'm much more likley to take the Mak or binoculars out instead. So what I'd like to do is convert the OTA to a Dobsonian and use a smaller telescope on the equatorial mount for imaging.

Has anyone any experience in making Dobs that could offer some suggestions on how best to go about this? Plans so that I can just order some teflon and go to woodies for plywood would be ideal!

One issue is how to balance the scope. Since it has a corrector plate the top the center of gravity is different that a regular newtonian. So how far up the 1 meter tube should the axis be?


Cheers,
~Albert

Hi al

I dont have a whole pile of experience with making dobs, just the one so far. I used some plans based on the san francisco sidewalk astronomers. In reality I looked at a few and just went for it. It was quite easy in the end. I have a shortish tube, also, a metre. The tube I used was wavin pipe and was quite heavy so this moved the axis forward. The way I found the axis was to just hold the scope firrmly and pop it up on an edge, move it back and forward til you can feel it balanced.

I built a high mount for my scope so that I would not have to stoop to low angles when observing and it works fine. As it was a tall mount, initally it was too heavy and cumbersome so I took a saw to it and chopped it down to a lighter model, it is now no problem to bring it out the front/back for a quick look.

As I do not have complete plans I can only point you in the direction of the san francisco sidewalk astronomers and offer to tke a few pics of my mount if you like. That should give you some idea of where to start

Most of the plans give you a scope like the following
www.telescopesineducation.com/dobson/page6.html

Al

Eugene is the guy you need to speak to.

He has made a super scope for little money and has a good source in Canada for parts.


ctr

Can't help you with the conversion to Dob, however a cost benifit analysis may show you are better off simply buying a new dob.

Dobs are increadably cheap at the moment. You can get a revelation 10" delivered to your door for 550 Euro or indeed a 12" for 750 Euro. If you compare that to the price of buying a smaller scope to use on your equatorial mount plus converting your existing 10" to a dob it may work out cheaper to simply buy the dob.

Just a thought. Damon

You can buy a good 14" dob,sell the Meade make a fine profit, and end up with bigger optics.

Or he could just build a dob mount for €50.....