Gettin' Dobby Wif It

Having a small telescope is a great thing. Having a big telescope is even better, unless you have to carry it somewhere. Having a big telescope that can get small to carry is the best of both worlds!

After our experience using the Boy Scout camp's 12 inch Orion steel tube scope for years we had to leave it behind for Idaho. While I have picked up an 11 inch SCT (Schmidt -Cassegrain) and it rocks, I still miss the views and star-hopping fun of the old 12 inch dobsonian, and so does Karren. She is not very interested in the astronomy thing unless it is hunting down objects the old fashioned way, using a chart and pointing a scope at the sky until you find whatever it is that you are looking for.

This is the focuser mount and filter slide getting its finish coats

Sooo... Enter the Telekit. We had a 12.5 inch plate glass mirror sent to us a few years ago by friends back home in VA that needed a mount. I decided not to try to make one from scratch as I wanted a truly high quality, premium dob to use for the rest of our retirement.

I consider the 10 inch scope the largest solid tube dob size that is practical. A 12 is just too big and heavy to cart around. Been there, done that, not interested. HOWEVER, that is what the truss tube dob was invented to cure. While it would be absolutely perfect to have a 14-18 inch scope here at home to cart around in an SUV or truck, this still is not a good size for the back seat of anything. We need a scope that will break down into a size easily carried along when we go truck camping with our slide-in camper. Besides, we already have the 12.5 inch mirror laying idle.

The rear door to the mirror box provides the base for the cell. Note the triangles in the background

After looking at the various options for ready-made scopes from premium builders it was plainly evident that they were out of our price range. I am also not interested in the chinese built psuedo-quality dobs. Too many chances to get a lemon or other disaster. So I ordered a Telekit from Randy Cunningham at Astrosystems in May of 2018. This kit was priced well below $2000, even with all the accessories (covers, new Telrad, secondary mirror, etc.).

I paid my deposit and began the wait for the kit to be made. Keep in mind I was not without a scope and had no problem waiting my turn. Randy got in touch with me a while later and told me things were not going well with his CNC cutting software conversion to Windows Ten (go figure!) and I learned that one of his guys had passed away suddenly. So I resolved to be patient. Well, good things come to those who wait.

I began receiving boxes of parts in late June of 2019 after a conversation with Randy about how sorry he was to have put me through such a long wait. He even said he would make it up to me with some extras (more on that later). After the deliveries began I was stoked to get started and got busy putting things together. I soon learned that my preparation reading the instruction manual three or four times really paid off.

The rocker box is designed to save weight, but is still quite strong.  Tape was used to prevent glue from making a mess and to prevent the clamp pads from sticking to the plywood. It comes in handy for routing later.

The second and third bay of the garage was turned into a workshop with all of the woodworking tools I've kept in storage since our move to Nampa. Several tools were improved or bought leadng up to the project. First, I asked for a random orbit palm sander for Christmas last year. The DeWalt I received is top notch. Second, I finally installed a router table plate into the wing of my table saw. We used the Kreg plate and mounting system -- works great. Third, I found the local tool dealer in Nampa, Idaho tool and Equipment, had a close out on router bits, so I stocked up on round-overs and flush cuts with bearings. All Freud! Serious windfall - bits were all less than $15 each.

Days off from work or half days made it convenient to beat the porch pirates from getting my packages. All were shipped in excellent shape and packed expertly. It ain't easy to send fragile 1/2 inch plywood parts through the gorilla farm that is UPS these days. I ended up with parts arriving over a three week time period, which did not overwhelm me. Nicely timed out.

Word to the wise: If you get curious and start digging through the packages be sure to keep them in their original bags with LABELS! There are a ton of small parts and sometimes they look very similar. Sourcing these stainless hardware screws and washers is not my idea of fun after you have lost a few.

Putting the feet on the ground board. Everything is doweled or pre-fit somehow and makes assembly a no-brainer.

The kit is very well cut and constructed. I have absolutely no complaints about the wood parts or the hardware supplied. Nice stuff. The finger joints on the mirror box and rocker box are perfectly cut. Better than a Leigh jig, if that means anything to you. These parts fit together with no binding or looseness. The epoxy glue supplied is tough, dries mostly clear and allows plenty of time for assembly and adjustment. Just don't get it on your skin and find it later -- skin will come off with it. Ugh! Randy also supplies gloves, mixing sticks, glue brushes and scrap plywood to practice on. Pretty comprehensive package. He does not supply the following that I believe are necessary; Bar clamps, sandpaper, utility knife, masking tape, wood putty, and all the other tools that might come in handy for the extent of the project. What he doesn't include he does warn you to obtain though.

So how much woodworking experience does the kit require? It all depends on how well fit and finish is important to you, just like any other wood project. I think the average homeowner could get most of it together properly, but it would be best if they studied the help included in the instructions well. Having an experienced woodworker available as a consultant would be helpful in some of the steps. Most of the time involved in the project is taken up with waiting for items to finish drying, curing, sanding or painting on more finish. Woodworkers will get this. If you have an average to above average level of experience working with wood you will finish with a work of art. Magazines will be knocking at your door to feature it in their next issue -- well, probably not, but you will be proud to show it off.

Using a second plywood surface to provide a smooth shelf for the router for flush trimming the finger joints. I always use tape to prevent the pilot bearing from burning the wood.

Perhaps the most challenging part of the process is the box glue-up and finger joint routing. Any good woodworker knows a box can be tough to get squared up and true, and this is no exception. A helper is need for the gluing unless you are good at staging the clamps with the help of masking tape. Working in hot temps may result in the epoxy setting before you are ready, but I worked on some 90 degree days and still had enough time. Randy also gives you enough glue to have extra available.

Upper cage assembly. Get some good clamps.

Following the advice of the instructions I have decided to finish the kit with a clear coat of urethane. Staining plywood is an art form and I don't enjoy it. Your mileage may vary. I know cherry colored scopes are popular. I'll stick with birch. I have been using the recommended Helmsman finish by Minwax, spray and liquid. I hate this part. Paint brushes and I are mortal enemies. Lots of 220 and 320 grit sandpaper cures all.

Earlier I said that Randy made good on his promise to treat well. If you notice I have all the parts that can be adapted to fit a go-to package from Servo-Cat, which is an upgrade. He also included a few other items that he really didn't need to provide -- after all, I had already paid my deposit. But dealing with Randy has been pretty positive. This morning I had a construction question that he answered via email in less than an hour. Saturday morning! That's a nice touch.

I am about 75 percent finished with the construction, and if my focal length was measured correctly I should be able to have first light in the scope by the next new moon. Getting stoked!