72 AUSTRALIAN SKY & TELESCOPE JULY 2016
I
lovetobuildthings.Ialsolove
tosharewhatI’velearnedinthe
process. If you’ve followed Gary
Seronik’s Telescope Workshop
column over the years, you’ve seen
some of my projects, including my
flexequatorialplatformhighlighted
in the April issue. So when Gary
told me he was becoming editor
ofSkyNews,andAustralian Sky &
TelescopeaskedifI’dbeinterested
in continuing his column, I
jumped at the chance.
Gary left a mighty big pair of
shoestofill.Iwillneverreplacehim;
allIcandoiscontinuethecolumnin
myownwayanddomyverybestto
keep it as interesting and informative
and inspiring as he did.
You’ll notice one change,
however: the title at the top of the
page. Telescope Workshop was
Gary’scolumn.We’recallingmine
Astronomer’s Workbench, because
that title encompasses what the old
column did plus opens it up a little
wider.Iplantofeaturenotjust
innovative homebuilt telescopes
butpracticallyanythinghomebuilt
having to do with astronomy.
Amateur telescope makers build
far more than just telescopes, andDo-it-yourself astronomy gear
Thereasonsformakingyourownequipmentgofarbeyondmereeconomics.
Iwanttocastaspotlightonallof
it.OvertimeIhopetocoverpretty
much everything you’d want or
need to build for practicing the best
hobby ever.
Whydopeoplebuildtheirown
equipment, anyway? Lower cost
used to be a compelling reason,
but not so much anymore. Unless
you’re making a big scope, it
probablycostsjustasmuchto
grindamirrorandhaveitcoated
as it does to buy one already made.
Forthatmatter,youcanbuyan
entire 30-cm Dobsonian for about
the price of the parts needed to
build it yourself.
Ah,buttrytofindonewithan
f/3 focal ratio, or with a collapsible
mount, or made of inlaid oak. Try to
find a red torch with just the right
amountofglowforyoursketching,or
a focuser that weighs 90 grams.
Even if you can find those things
available commercially, there’s
still the pleasure of crafting them
yourself, of working with your
hands, of standing in the hardware
store,staringoffintospacewhile
yourmindtriestofittheshapeyou
need into the possibilities around
you.Youhaven’tlivedasanamateurAuthor Jerry Oltion with some of his homemade telescopes. KATHY OLTION
More than just telescopes. Here
are some homemade projects we
plantocover,includingfinders,
collimators,redtorches,asolarfilter
and an observing chair.JERRY OLTIONtelescope maker (ATM) until you’ve
realised that a 20-litre bucket makes
the perfect secondary cage for a
25-cm reflector.
Like so many things, it’s about
the process as well as the product.
Making something yourself
provides immense satisfaction.
Whether your creation looks like an
engineering masterpiece or a child’s
drawing brought to life, when
you put your eye to the eyepiece
of a homemade scope and look
at photons bouncing off a mirror
you ground, there’s a sense of
accomplishment like no other.
Best of all, it’s surprisingly easy
to do! If I stress only one thing in
the months to come, I want it to be
this: making your own astronomy
gear is easier than you think. If you
understand the principles involved
and have a little patience, you can
build practically anything.
You don’t need much to get
started. You don’t even need
workshop space. Gary ground his
first few mirrors in a closet and
sawed the timber in his kitchen.
In future columns, I’ll show you
how to make a variable-intensity
red torch for practically nothing,
as well as how to craft your own
collimators (both Cheshire and
laser), finders, eyepieces (yes,
eyepieces — piece of cake!), an
observing chair, and whatever
else I can fit in the available space.
Some will be my own creations,
but I’m counting on you to submit
your projects for consideration, too.
I want to see your coolest work,
from the simplest accessory to a
complete telescope, and to share it
with the world.
The workbench is ready. The
lights are on. Let’s have some fun. ✦Astronomer’s Workbench
JERRY OLTION
is an experienced
telescope maker
and observer.
He welcomes
your project
submissions.
Contact him at
[email protected]