To: Dale Eason , tkrajci{at}san.osd.mil, atm{at}shore.net
From: tkrajci{at}san.osd.mil
Reply-To: tkrajci{at}san.osd.mil


>From: Dale Eason 

>The reason I resist attaching my mirror to the Cell is
>that I want to be able to remove the mirror from the
>scope for various reasons.
>
>I can only store the scope in the garage....

>I use my mirror to test my version of Robo Foucault....

>Lastly it is easier to transport the scope in 3
>lighter pieces....

Those are all valid reasons for making the mirror removable.

>All of these could probably be done with the cell
>attached but I think it is easier the other way. Thus
>my priorities are different than yours.

Yes, the mirror/cell could be designed to be the part that is removed from
the rest of the scope...instead of the mirror removed from the cell.  And
RTV gluing has a place in this too.  There are some good reasons to
consider this approach:

1.  Now your mirror has 'built-in handles' for all those times you remove
and install the mirror/cell.  That can make for easier handling and less
risk of dropping or accidentally touching the coating.

2.  Use of RTV in this case can still avoid mirror clips and slings.

I have not put much thought into this, but if I need to make a scope with a
removable mirror...I may consider making the mirror/cell removable instead.

Does anyone have any website examples of a removable mirror/cell?

See:  http://www.starmastertelescopes.com/html/truss-scopes.htm for the
Starmaster "open design, quick-detach mirror cell, with lightweight
oak transport case."  (Rick Singmaster uses mirror clips, but RTV
could be used instead.)

Tom Krajci
Tashkent, Uzbekistan

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