Portable 12-1/2" f/5 dobsonian reflector


12_5m.jpg


Parks 12.5" f/5 mirror, 2.6" secondary with QSP enhanced coating, Novak mirror mount, spider, and secondary holder. NGF-2 focuser. The C-channels provide exceptional rigidity and allow the bearings to be adjusted easily to achieve optimal scope balance. The holes for the screws are slotted for adjustment and "keyholed" so that the screws only need to be loosened for the scope to break into its separate pieces. The keyholes permit the screws to remain attached. The upper cage assembly is constructed from the same Ebony Star formica used on the bearing surfaces. It has been reinforced with fiberglass on the inside to make it a rigid tube. This allows the spider, focuser, and telrad to be mounted conventionally and provides excellent shielding from stray light. The inside has been painted flat black. The mirror box is likewise painted flat black inside. High quality 3/4" Finnish Birch plywood has been used on the mirror box, rocker box, and upper cage assembly.


For more photos, click on the highlighted words below.
Novak mirror cell
Upper cage assembly Close up of spider, focuser, etc.
Wheels attached for easy relocation of scope Easily allows you to handle the entire scope as a wheelbarrow and move the scope away from your car, to a better observing location, etc.
Unassembled dob parts
Halfway to assembling the dob

If you have any questions about the construction please contact me at ahighe @ ix.netcom.com. Thanks for looking.

Can you make a scope for me? Do you have any plans you can send?

I received numerous requests from friends, people I meet at star parties, and people who stumble across my website, to make them a scope or to send them plans so they can use or copy my designs. Since I received so many requests, I built a limited number of the 12.5" f/5 ultralight dobsonian (the Mark III) telescopes. I am no longer building these. However, If you think you would like to buy one, please contact Custom Telescopes by Plettstone. I am not planning to build any of my other designs at this time.

When I design and build, I sketch the ideas and design as I go. Consequently, I don't have any plans for my scopes. I am happy to answer the questions of any amateur who is interested in making a scope for his or her own personal use.


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Copyright © 2002-2003 by Albert Highe, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.


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Changes last made on: October 2, 2003