To: atm{at}shore.net
From: "Thomas A Simmons" 
Reply-To: "Thomas A Simmons" 



Steve,

  Others have already mentioned that the tube would be
too heavy for the OTA, so why not dig a hole and use it for the telescope pier?

  You could bury it about a 5 feet deep, fill it with concrete
to ground level, and use half a dozen plywood rings to brace the remaining
tube. Yes, I also have PVC tube that "looked like a good thing to make
a scope out of". Make sure the center of gravity of the pier/telescope
is underground so it doesn't turn into an inverted pendulum.

  FWIW, if you ever move, this way you can either cut the protruding
section of pipe level with the ground, place a Barbecue on it, or otherwise
turn it into a "feature" of the property.

Tom
Tucson, AZ

Date: Tue, 3 Jun 2003 00:34:14 +0930
From: "Steve B" 
Subject: ATM 300mm PVC stormwater pipe for OT

Hi group,

Has anyone got any experience using PVC stormwater pipe as a OT tube for a
10" or higher Newt? I'm mainly thinking of flexure.
Is it an absolute no go or if yes, is some sort of bracing necessary to
minimise any flex or loss of collimation. I have about an 8ft length of
300mm stormwater pipe I have always kept in the hope that I might use it
for an OT one day. I picture using MDF disks pushed in each end to maintain
perfect circles and double as baffles one end, and several about halfway
down the inside. Any suggestions or pros and cons?

regards,

Steve B.
Adelaide Australia.

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