DIY Ball Scope / "Portaball" alike

Wanna make a scope? Or better still, grind a mirror yourself. Or, you have some good tips in making a really useful accessory? This is the place to show what your hands can do...
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orly_andico
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DIY Ball Scope / "Portaball" alike

Post by orly_andico »

Just was made aware of this: Ikea Brasa pedestal lamp

http://www.ikea.com/sg/en/catalog/products/80138414/

Available at Singapore branches for $79. It is a 45cm powder coated steel hemisphere.

If you've ever tried making a ball scope, you'll know that the ball itself is a major headache to source. This one is 18" diameter so should be good for a 12" to 14" mirror maximum.
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Airconvent
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Re: DIY Ball Scope / "Portaball" alike

Post by Airconvent »

Or use as a curry pot if the project fails :p
This is just 1 part though. Alot of work will need to be done. Since the Portaball, there has been alot of collapsible truss dobs like the one Junwei has, hence not too sure building a portaball is worth the effort. Maybe Chee Chien and Mooey can violently object to this observation? :)
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orly_andico
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Re: DIY Ball Scope / "Portaball" alike

Post by orly_andico »

well one thing the Portaball-style telescopes can do very well is that they can be driven without using an equatorial table.. (see Trackball Telescope).
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rlow
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Re: DIY Ball Scope / "Portaball" alike

Post by rlow »

orly_andico wrote:Just was made aware of this: Ikea Brasa pedestal lamp

http://www.ikea.com/sg/en/catalog/products/80138414/

Available at Singapore branches for $79. It is a 45cm powder coated steel hemisphere.

If you've ever tried making a ball scope, you'll know that the ball itself is a major headache to source. This one is 18" diameter so should be good for a 12" to 14" mirror maximum.
This is only a 17.7" diam. half-bowl, not the same design as the Portaball. For ATM design, I would not recommend it for anything bigger than say an 8" mirror, if you want a full range of movement.
Richard Low
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