Downpipe telescope

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DeanD Australia
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Downpipe telescope

#1

Post by DeanD »


Hi All,

I have been fiddling with my 4" f18 scope, and I thought you might be interested in some images of it.

I picked up a brass achromatic objective, dating from the 19th century (it cost me $5), and I attached it to a pvc tube from an old downpipe. I recently upgraded the 2" focuser on another scope, so I have put that on it, attached some tube rings I acquired from a defunct telescope store, made a vixen-style dovetail and mounted it on my home-made "semi-dob" mount and tripod.

The images through the scope are excellent: I ran it at 200x on the Moon and double stars last night, and it gave text-book Airy discs with no image breakdown. It is a bit less bright than a coated lens (no coatings in the 19th century!), but it shows almost zero CA, and last time I looked at Saturn it gave my TSA 102 a run for its money in terms of sharpness.

It is of course a bit long for taking on a plane but it is a lot of fun. It also requires a bit of lying-on-the-ground-viewing at the zenith unless I make the tripod a lot longer! ;)

Dean
Downpipe telescope 1.JPG
Downpipe telescope 2.JPG
Downpipe telescope and moon.JPG
Telescopes: 12" f5 dob, Celestron CPC800, 150mmf5 Celestron achro, Tak TSA102, TV76, ETX125...
Binos: Steiner Wildlife XP 10x26, Swarovski 8x30 Habicht, Zeiss SFL 8x40, Vanguard Endeavour 10.5x45, Fuji FMTR-SX 10x50, Tak 22x60, Orion Resolux 15x70
Eyepieces: way too many (is that possible?), but I do like my TV 32mm plossl, 13mm Nagler T6, 27mm Panoptic and 3-6mm Nagler zoom, plus Fujiyama 18mm and 25mm orthos and Tak 7.5mm LE
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Re: Downpipe telescope

#2

Post by Unitron48 »


Quite impressive frac :sprefac:

Great job on the construction! Any more details on the original scope that housed the lens?

Dave
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Re: Downpipe telescope

#3

Post by DeanD »


Thanks Dave. I have left it with the "industrial" uncoated downpipe feel for the moment: no fancy paint (yet), and still with the classy screw-on plumbing pipe end covers.
I wish I had more info on the lens cell. There wouldn't have been very many 4" scopes that came to South Australia in the 19th century, and any that did would most likely have come from England. This one ended up in the storage shed of our Astronomical Society (the only one in the State and one of the oldest in the world), so I suspect it might have belonged to one of our early astronomy professionals: one of whom, Sir Charles Todd, started the Society in 1892. Nobody seems to know though, and sadly the brass cell has no identifying features.
It's a mystery... ;)
Telescopes: 12" f5 dob, Celestron CPC800, 150mmf5 Celestron achro, Tak TSA102, TV76, ETX125...
Binos: Steiner Wildlife XP 10x26, Swarovski 8x30 Habicht, Zeiss SFL 8x40, Vanguard Endeavour 10.5x45, Fuji FMTR-SX 10x50, Tak 22x60, Orion Resolux 15x70
Eyepieces: way too many (is that possible?), but I do like my TV 32mm plossl, 13mm Nagler T6, 27mm Panoptic and 3-6mm Nagler zoom, plus Fujiyama 18mm and 25mm orthos and Tak 7.5mm LE
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Re: Downpipe telescope

#4

Post by Richard »


Phew 1.8 meter tube that must be quite hard to handle
Reflectors GSO 200 Dobs
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Re: Downpipe telescope

#5

Post by Lady Fraktor »


A lovely refractor Dean! Enjoy the views with it.
Put some counterweight at the focuser end to move the scope up further in the rings.
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss
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Re: Downpipe telescope

#6

Post by Ylem »


That's an amazing scope Dean! f18 wow!
Clear Skies,
-Jeff :telescopewink:


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Re: Downpipe telescope

#7

Post by Butterfly Maiden »


A wonderful bit of ingenuity to get that result Dean.

Enjoy your new scope.
Vanessa

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Re: Downpipe telescope

#8

Post by DeanD »


Richard wrote: Wed Jul 06, 2022 3:52 pm Phew 1.8 meter tube that must be quite hard to handle
Actually it is quite light, and easy to hold one-handed when mounting it: the handling issue comes when turning corners! ;)
Telescopes: 12" f5 dob, Celestron CPC800, 150mmf5 Celestron achro, Tak TSA102, TV76, ETX125...
Binos: Steiner Wildlife XP 10x26, Swarovski 8x30 Habicht, Zeiss SFL 8x40, Vanguard Endeavour 10.5x45, Fuji FMTR-SX 10x50, Tak 22x60, Orion Resolux 15x70
Eyepieces: way too many (is that possible?), but I do like my TV 32mm plossl, 13mm Nagler T6, 27mm Panoptic and 3-6mm Nagler zoom, plus Fujiyama 18mm and 25mm orthos and Tak 7.5mm LE
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Re: Downpipe telescope

#9

Post by DeanD »


Lady Fraktor wrote: Wed Jul 06, 2022 5:30 pm A lovely refractor Dean! Enjoy the views with it.
Put some counterweight at the focuser end to move the scope up further in the rings.
Good idea, thanks Gabby. Should be able to find some lead weights around somewhere: maybe some old roof flashing to go with the look! Hmmm. ;)
Telescopes: 12" f5 dob, Celestron CPC800, 150mmf5 Celestron achro, Tak TSA102, TV76, ETX125...
Binos: Steiner Wildlife XP 10x26, Swarovski 8x30 Habicht, Zeiss SFL 8x40, Vanguard Endeavour 10.5x45, Fuji FMTR-SX 10x50, Tak 22x60, Orion Resolux 15x70
Eyepieces: way too many (is that possible?), but I do like my TV 32mm plossl, 13mm Nagler T6, 27mm Panoptic and 3-6mm Nagler zoom, plus Fujiyama 18mm and 25mm orthos and Tak 7.5mm LE
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Re: Downpipe telescope

#10

Post by OzEclipse »


Hi Dean,
Nice write up. I'd expect a PVC tube that long to sag or flex? Are you finding that?

At f18, a 4" objective should behave more or less like a shorter f ratio APO in terms of clean, colour free images.

Enjoy the scope.

Joe
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Re: Downpipe telescope

#11

Post by Lady Fraktor »


If you want to put some colour into it but without painting the tube, find a RC hobbystore and get a roll of Ultracote.
You put it on a bit like shrink wrap. https://www.alburyrcmodels.com.au/ultracote/
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss
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Re: Downpipe telescope

#12

Post by DeanD »


Lady Fraktor wrote: Thu Jul 07, 2022 2:27 am If you want to put some colour into it but without painting the tube, find a RC hobbystore and get a roll of Ultracote.
You put it on a bit like shrink wrap. https://www.alburyrcmodels.com.au/ultracote/
Thanks Gabby, I remember using something similar many years ago when I made an RC aircraft. That black and white squares one looks like fun! ;)
Telescopes: 12" f5 dob, Celestron CPC800, 150mmf5 Celestron achro, Tak TSA102, TV76, ETX125...
Binos: Steiner Wildlife XP 10x26, Swarovski 8x30 Habicht, Zeiss SFL 8x40, Vanguard Endeavour 10.5x45, Fuji FMTR-SX 10x50, Tak 22x60, Orion Resolux 15x70
Eyepieces: way too many (is that possible?), but I do like my TV 32mm plossl, 13mm Nagler T6, 27mm Panoptic and 3-6mm Nagler zoom, plus Fujiyama 18mm and 25mm orthos and Tak 7.5mm LE
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Re: Downpipe telescope

#13

Post by Lady Fraktor »


I have a full roll of yellow/ black 25mm squares that I was thinking of using on the 150mm f/8 dewshield.
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss
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Re: Downpipe telescope

#14

Post by DeanD »


PS:
Gabby: of course if I got some of the Ultracote it would more than double the cost of the scope... ;)
Telescopes: 12" f5 dob, Celestron CPC800, 150mmf5 Celestron achro, Tak TSA102, TV76, ETX125...
Binos: Steiner Wildlife XP 10x26, Swarovski 8x30 Habicht, Zeiss SFL 8x40, Vanguard Endeavour 10.5x45, Fuji FMTR-SX 10x50, Tak 22x60, Orion Resolux 15x70
Eyepieces: way too many (is that possible?), but I do like my TV 32mm plossl, 13mm Nagler T6, 27mm Panoptic and 3-6mm Nagler zoom, plus Fujiyama 18mm and 25mm orthos and Tak 7.5mm LE
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Re: Downpipe telescope

#15

Post by Lady Fraktor »


It is a historical refractor, I would say it is worth the expense :)
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss
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Re: Downpipe telescope

#16

Post by helicon »


Really cool Dean, nice job with the construction.
-Michael
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Re: Downpipe telescope

#17

Post by Makuser »


Hi Dean. Now that's what I call a real "yard cannon". :D You have really updated and crafted this nice instrument well. And the advantage of the very long focal is that you have much less chromatic aberration. Thanks for your post Dean along with the very nice photographs and the best of wishes for many clear dark skies.
Marshall
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Re: Downpipe telescope

#18

Post by Bigzmey »


It is a fun project. Looks great Dean!
Scopes: Stellarvue: SV102ED; Celestron: 9.25" EdgeHD, 8" SCT, 150ST, Onyx 80ED; iOptron: Hankmeister 6" Mak; SW: 7" Mak; Meade: 80ST.
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Re: Downpipe telescope

#19

Post by John Baars »


Such a long focus refractor must have a very pleasant view. The pics are very impressive already. I am quite curious about your observations with it.
Refractors in frequency of use : *SW Evostar 120ED F/7.5 (all round ), * Vixen 102ED F/9 (vintage), both on Vixen GPDX.
GrabnGo on Alt/AZ : *SW Startravel 102 F/5 refractor( widefield, Sun, push-to), *OMC140 Maksutov F/14.3 ( planets).
Most used Eyepieces: *Panoptic 24, *Morpheus 14, *Leica ASPH zoom, *Zeiss barlow, *Pentax XO5.
Commonly used bino's : *Jena 10X50 , * Canon 10X30 IS, *Swarovski Habicht 7X42, * Celestron 15X70, *Kasai 2.3X40
Rijswijk Public Observatory: * Astro-Physics Starfire 130 f/8, * 6 inch Newton, * C9.25, * Meade 14 inch LX600 ACF, *Lunt.
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