Hi Dennis,
perhaps i should have been more specific. could you please show me a
sample
spec list of parts by dealer to build a 6" for less than $200, 8" for less
than $300? for this example, ignore plywood, teflon and formica. just
include primary, secondary, focuser, and finder. I really would like to
build/assemble my own scope of Orion quality or better, but who are these
dealers with used/surplus stock that can make building cheaper than
buying?

peace,
jon



As I said, you can't just order off-the-shelf new components and expect to
save money. You have to seek out deals, and be patient. However, let me
give you three real-life examples from our scope building experiences.

6" f/8 reflector. The primary mirror, mirror cell, secondary, and spider
were $100 from Bill Vorce at Telescope Warehouse. The focuser was around
$60, new in kit form from JMI. We flexed this spherical mirror (saving the
mirror cell for another project), following the instructions given in Alan
Adler's Sky&Tel November, 2000 article. This is a wonderful scope.

10" f/5.7 reflector. The primary mirror was made by one of the most
accomplished atmers in our club, and tests at least 1/10 wave, blah blah
blah. A guy won it at a club raffle, and because he didn't want to build a
scope he traded it to us for a $100 eyepiece. We picked up a Nova
EnduroBright 1.83" secondary for $60 on Astromart, and a used JMI DX2
focuser for $100. We plan on building everything else, including mirror
cell and secondary holder/spider. We haven't built this scope yet, as we
already have a 10" reflector (homemade mirror) and so are not in a big
hurry. Also, we would like this to be our first truss scope, and so are on
the lookout for good deals on truss components.

6" f/6 maksutov-newtonian. Optics (primary, corrector, and secondary) $170
from Markus Ludes at NEAF. These optics were pulled from a commercial
mak-newt because of a slight coating defect (line/ridge) on the corrector.
Russian crayford focuser was $45 from Astromart, and phenolic tube was maybe
$30?, again from Astromart. This is a very nice scope for both
low-power/wide-field (approaching 3 degrees) and high-power/planetary. The
flexed 6" above does a better job on the planets, but this scope is very
good.

Note that all of the above use optics that we purchased. Making your own
mirror opens up a world of other possibilities.

If you want to build on the cheap, then you have to be patient and wait
for/search out deals. Astromart is great, and we have picked up a lot of
parts there. I would check out Telescope Warehouse, and Gary Hand at
HandsOnOptics for used stuff. Swap tables at star parties are great. If
you want a scope now, then your best option is probably buying an Asian dob.
Jon Isaacs likes the mechanics of his mount ok. I don't like the mounts
very much, but maybe I am too spoiled by Ebony
Star and Teflon.

One final note. We always leave our sonotube clear coated, so that folks
can tell that our scopes are homemade. Telescope making is an important
part of amateur astronomy, and I think it is great for folks to see,and
observe with, homemade instruments. My sons and I like building scopes and
making mirrors, we like the challenge (and the necessity) of spending as
little as we can on building them, and we like showing them off. Maybe
scope building is for you, and maybe it isn't.

Dennis