 | |
Optics Projects | |
14" F/4.5 Mirror Log
 | This article is an illustrated log of my notes taken while working on a 14" F/4.5 mirror for a Newtonian telescope. I have documented the progress (and problems encountered) and added photographs of the mirror at each major stage. Photos of the mirror's surface are being taken after each polishing session so that the results may be correlated to the methods used. (Note that this is a very long article covering a work in progress. It is over 500KB in length including the 90+ thumbnail images. |
| Modular Optical Tester Design | This construction article describes how to build a compact, versitile head for your optical tester. Combine this with any mechanical base you chose and you have a tester that easily converts from Foucault to Ronchi to Wire testing in less than a minute. Other tests may also be supported by building specially modified versions of this assembly. |
Woodworking Projects | |
| ATM's Grinding Barrel Top | This project describes the construction of a strong, stable top for the traditional mirror grinding barrel. |
Metalworking Projects | |
|
A Digital Readout Caustic Tester
| This is a short article by T. Lum on his innovative digital readout caustic tester design. The use of digital micrometers as the readout method makes the tester easy to use in the dim light while testing. |
|
A Versatile Spherometer
| A Spherometer is an almost indispensable tool for the amateur optician. This project shows how I built mine. |
|
A Foucault Tester
| Foucault testers are actually very simple to make. Here are some ideas for yours. |
|
An 18 Point Mirror Cell
| This project depicts the construction of an 18 point floatation cell for a 17.5" mirror. Approximately 50 hours have been required to machine the various parts. |
Telescope Projects | |
| Meade Field Tripod Modification | This project is a modification to the Meade field tripod which makes use with a wedge more convenient. |
|
Building A Relay Telescope
| This project documents my current long term project -- the construction of a 17.5" F/7.5 Dilworth Relay Telescope. |
| An Eyepiece Storage Case | This project describes a method for personalizing an aluminum utility case for storing eyepieces. |
Electronics Projects | |
| Exposure Frame For Circuit Boards | Build this ultra-violet light exposure frame for making your own circuit boards. It also nicely doubles as a general purpose light box or light table for use in other ATM activities. |
Programming Projects | |
| The ATM's Workbench | This is a programming project to assemble a compatible set of tools oriented towards making ATM'ing tasks easier and somewhat automated. |
Observing Projects | |
|
| |