Making+the+mirror+support

As outlined within the mirror support design section of the wiki, the mirror support will be a hybrid of wiffle tree and bubble wrap.

The pie slices are 3/4 inch (18mm) exterior ply. A 30 inch disc was routed out and marked into six pieces. These were cut out using a standard saw.

Each pie was carefuly marked out using the dimension from POLP. Only the center of gravity radius dimensions were used.

Each bar is 20mm square tube. The bolts are 6mm. Nylocks are used as the pivot points as described in Kriege and Berry's Dobsonian Telescope book. This system is also used on the TROK to good effect.

The image below shows the support upside down. Beofre being mounted onto the back plate of the mirror box. The support will be covered in one single disc of 'large bubble' bubble pack. A strap support will be used initially. Bell cranks and counterweights, on the top edge of the mirror, may be required to reduce 'potatoe chipping' at lower altitudes.

UPDATE 28/10/2010

We have had issues with the image quality from the telescope! Stars are astigmatic. We have replaced the mirror support with a 27 point float system similar to the TROK. This has improved image quality, but it is still not great. Better than the first time we made it. But not good enough to aluminise. More images and text to follow soon........read the TRO - Testing the mirror page for more info..........