Building my own Newtonian Telescope - progress report

Well the project has finally started, I've bitten the bullet and am in
the process of constructing a 4.5 inch DObsonian Telescope.

So far I've learnt more about carpentry that anything else, but so far
its been excellent fun. I'd totally recommend it as an alternative to
spending £150 odd quid on a starter scope.

I'm currently finishing off the main tube, and shortly will start on
the base, and will be installing the optics soon once they arrive.

The mirror is a 4.5 TAL one, the focuser a helical one, the eyepiece
is as yet unpurchased, but will be a 32mm plossl of some description
or another.

My lunch times will now be spent trawling junk shops for bits to
construct the base (specifically any dodgy 12" LP), I need to order
the teflon, choose something for the bearings (I've got my eye on
chopping up an old plastic chopping board).

I'll post some in progress pics once the current glue stained, wobbly
three sided box firms up into a nicely sanded and varnished, first
timer Dob.

All the best