Scope rebuild project

[Durad]

Hi All,

I have 2 scopes (6" and 8") that I believe can be rebuilt using the mirrors (primary and secondary). My worry is that I see many discussions on small mirrors being spherical. Before I spend time on this project I would like to confirm I am not having this problem.
Any advice on how to confirm?

Once confirmed, the plan is to make better mirror supports, a lighter mount, truss tube design and computerized drive system.
I have a pi4 that I can utilize.
I need something easier to move/transport and setup.

Any advice will really be helpful.

[SkyHiker]

Hi All,

I have 2 scopes (6" and 8") that I believe can be rebuilt using the mirrors (primary and secondary). My worry is that I see many discussions on small mirrors being spherical. Before I spend time on this project I would like to confirm I am not having this problem.
Any advice on how to confirm?

The Ronchi test can easily show the difference between spherical and parabolic mirror. Look at the comparison about 2/3 from the top of that link.

Once confirmed, the plan is to make better mirror supports, a lighter mount, truss tube design and computerized drive system.
I have a pi4 that I can utilize.
I need something easier to move/transport and setup.

Any advice will really be helpful.

A Pi4 is better suited to a host computer rather than a real-time controller. Look for the OnStep project for basic DIY controllers of both equatorial and alt/az mounts. It uses cheap hardware that is readily available. The OnStep controller works very well in combination with Ekos, check indilib.org for this. That would separate high- and low-level control tasks where they belong.