Refurbishing the 10" Reflector

Components for a new curved-vane spider:

1. a sawed-off portion of a PVC hex coupler
2. used-up (purol) hacksaw blades
3. some tiny machine screws

The hacksaw blades were courtesy of Ken, who must be using them up at a tremendous rate what with all the kiosks he's manufacturing.

After drilling small holes in the hex coupler, I bolted the hacksaw blades (via their existing holes) to the coupler using the tiny machine screws (I believe they are 3/32" screws, with matching nuts).

Then, a rather inefficient use of resources: I filled up the "gap" in the inside of the hex coupler with more than half a tube of epoxy putty (about $2 worth). Taking care to put a big-ass bolt, wrapped in masking tape, in the middle. That way I won't have to drill a big hole for the bolt of the secondary holder.


The finished assembly can be seen below. Nicely curved hacksaw blade vanes to reduce diffraction effects.

And here's a "through the eyepiece holder" view of collimation. The best I've done so far, I'd think. And a view of the upper-cage assembly (badly in need of a paint job..) along with the homemade eyepiece and 50mm finder, attached with some P 8.50 hose clamps.