Constructing a dob

Ah yes, clever thinking. I was thinking of it as dead weight which I would need to bring around with me. Good idea that it can be emptied before leaving and refilled at your destination.

Michael,

Just back from my hols in a stultifyingly hot and sunny France so apologies for jumping in late on this thread...

There are a couple of aluminium suppliers in Dublin who I use to use for truss tubing (and replacement hang glider parts!) They are Reynolds Aluminium Systems and Alcor or Alcoa? Both are in the Yellow Pages. I have their product catalogues if that's any help and can look up dimensions if you want.

Phil.

Hi Phil,

Good to hear you had a good time. Almost feel sorry for you to have to "suffer" through such heat.

I got all the aluminium tubes I needed from B&Q. TV aerial masts they were badged as. 1.25" for the main truss and 1" for the secondary cage.

Tried a few more hardware stores today for timber. I can get Marine Plywood in a hardware store not too far from me.
8ft x 4ft x 18mm thick sheet is €66.55
8ft x 4ft x 12mm thick sheet is €54.45
They will also cut it into a couple of smaller pieces so that I can bring it home in the car.
Will need to buy a router next. Anyone got any advice on what to look for in a router?
Thanks,

Will need to buy a router next. Anyone got any advice on what to look for in a router?
Thanks,

Horsepower, or watts. The higher the better. If routering through a lot of marine ply, be sure to have a very good set of router bits, as marine ply is very tough. If, when using it for long consecutive passes, the edges of the wood start to burn, leave it for a minute or two. You'll only wear the router bit and damage the edge of your wood.

And don't forget to use safety goggles!

Cheers Seanie.
Went to a hardware store today and explained what I wanted to do. He recommended I use a jigsaw instead. Biggest concern I have is ensuring I cut a smooth circle.
Is a router the best tool for the job or should I try the jigsaw?

Picked up a sheet of 18mm thick marine plywood this morning also so would like to get the ball rolling after work.

Cheers,