From: "Shane LaPierre" 
To: mbartels{at}efn.org, atm{at}shore.net
Reply-To: "Shane LaPierre" 


Mel,

You've got a much more convincing implementation.  Your ota is 48 lbs
lighter mine, and your total scope is also about 48 lbs lighter than mine.
I think I am looking for the 'revolution' to happen.  Carbon fiber mirrors
and 1/2 meter telescopes that weight in at 45 lbs total.  If I can continue
the dream it will cost around $1000 usd.

Shane LaPierre
http://www.ct-astronomer.com


>From: "Mel Bartels" 
>Reply-To: "Mel Bartels" 
>To: 
>Subject: Re: ATM new minimalist 16 inch with sliding focuser
>Date: Thu, 31 Jul 2003 10:08:16 -0700
>
>
> >>>
>My current 20" has a 50 lb mirror, and I was only able to shed about 20 lbs
>from the OTA itself when considering a minimalist design (my current OTA
>weights in at 121 lbs.).  I have not found the benefits of shedding 15% to
>20% of the weight to pay for the features I have come to appreciate in the
>typical mirror box, truss, secondary cage alt-az.
><<<
>
>My 20 inch also is a 2 inch thick 50 pound mirror.  My trilateral mount
>that
>I designed for it weighs in at 25 pounds for the OTA sans optics, with the
>heaviest piece that I pick up the fold-up mirror box at 62 pounds with
>mirror.
>
>Cutting out or removing material only goes so far.  As some point one needs
>to consider new designs.
>
>Mel Bartels
>
>
>

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