Rebuilding old scope.

[A.S.I.G.N_Baz]

Well, I spent another ten hours today on rebuilding/restoring the old With-Browning telescope. It is starting to take shape now.

Ron will post the details I sent him on anitquescopes later tomorrow I should think.

Still a ways to go though.

Baz.
http://i30.tinypic.com/2lo2lcg.jpg

[mattwastell]

Hey Baz

Interesting project - please keep us updated.

I know very little about older scopes - what is its age? history?

[A.S.I.G.N_Baz]

Hi Matt,

The telescope itself is dated at 1878. I really cant do it justice here, but my good friend Ron, the actual owner of the scope has devoted an entire website to this scope and others like it, (and there aren't many left in the world)

Heres the links all about it, but if you leave this website, make sure you come back!!!

Toungue in cheek Ray, LOL:rulez:
http://www.antiquescopes.com/Antiquescopes.aspx
http://www.antiquescopes.com/Restoration.aspx

[A.S.I.G.N_Baz]

Well, I have had a few big days on the old scope. Lots of painting lately, as well as completing a handle, finderscope mounts built from scratch, a totally rebuilt secondary assembly and the altitude fine-adjustment wheel.

More details on antiquescopes.com

Baz.

[Adrianf]

Nice job will keep track of this project.

Adrian

[Tenacious Del]

wow, cool. is that bronze new or restored from the old scope?

[A.S.I.G.N_Baz]

Some is restored old brass, a lot is new brass parts made by taking scaled measurements from old photographs, along with a bit of historic information on commonly available imperial standards of the time.

[A.S.I.G.N_Baz]

And tonight I have been putting what I have together...

[A.S.I.G.N_Baz]

Pivot pins now built and installed and hinges being made for the access hatch,



http://i27.tinypic.com/a3h8g1.jpg

http://i25.tinypic.com/dlhzzo.jpg

http://i32.tinypic.com/14a8t8l.jpg

[Radar]

Holy cow Baz, that is an awesome effort. Looks great. How long until you get to road test it?

Ray

[A.S.I.G.N_Baz]

I have been at this for over a year now. Here is an animation and video I have been working on, showing how all the parts I have built, come together.

http://www.antiquescopes.com:80/Movie.aspx

[A.S.I.G.N_Baz]

DUSTY WORK!! Cough, sneeze, splutter....

I got a lot of work done on the old scope today, including carving out the mold for the cast iron pour for the lower half of the mount.
http://i35.tinypic.com/25h1v9u.jpg

[mattwastell]

Hey Baz

It is looking really good!

What is the mount going to be like - are you going to do the pour yourself?

Keep us updated.

See ya

[A.S.I.G.N_Baz]

Coming along.... You should check out Ron's site! http://www.antiquescopes.com/Restoration.aspx
I just had a good read through it all last night. What a story is emerging.

Baz.

[A.S.I.G.N_Baz]

I have been building/restoring for the past year and a half. Nearly finished...


http://i36.tinypic.com/5nrak1.jpg
http://i34.tinypic.com/30tmo7s.jpg
http://i33.tinypic.com/2rm2wlt.jpg
http://i35.tinypic.com/2uhbjmo.jpg



Full story on http://www.asignobservatory.com/telescope_making.aspx and

http://www.antiquescopes.com/Restoration.aspx

[A.S.I.G.N_Baz]

Got lots done today...

[Radar]

Lovely work mate. Can't wait to see how it performs. They definitely don't make them like that anymore.

Ray

[timthelder]

Hi Baz,

That's some excellent woodworking you've got going on there...That's going to be one beautiful scope when you get her finished.

What's the focal length on that behemoth?

Cheers:smile:

[A.S.I.G.N_Baz]

Hi Baz,

That's some excellent woodworking you've got going on there...That's going to be one beautiful scope when you get her finished.

What's the focal length on that behemoth?

Cheers:smile:


Five foot ten inches mate. Nine and a quarter inch mirror.

[seeker372011]

what a great effort
&
beautiful workmanship

[A.S.I.G.N_Baz]

All done.

http://i34.tinypic.com/25g6h6f.jpg
http://i35.tinypic.com/qsk0eh.jpg
http://i38.tinypic.com/2q8pu04.jpg
http://i36.tinypic.com/otgt2p.jpg
http://i36.tinypic.com/fw4oc3.jpg

[PeterP]

Breath taking project.

[Tenacious Del]

wow!:bow::bow::bow:

[DarkSkyMan]

Looking good Asign_Baz.

[A.S.I.G.N_Baz]

Well, the last bits are done and installed. I drove up to Sydney to return it to it's owner and my good friend, Ron.

What a challenge and journey it has been for almost two years! I have Ron to thank for entrusting me with this task. I learned so much about how things used to be done over a century ago, all by hand.

FANTASTIC. Now I can sleep for a few nights before I get onto the next project.....

http://i42.tinypic.com/2vj4phj.jpg

[DarkSkyMan]

Wow, nice effort. What is the next project going to be?

[wraithe]

That is one beautiful piece of history...
Will it get remounted onto the original mount?

[A.S.I.G.N_Baz]

That is one beautiful piece of history...
Will it get remounted onto the original mount?
Eventually, yes. I have re-created the complete mount, but the two main cast peices turned out to be very expensive to cast. I have created fully working replica molds, that look the part. One day, hopefully soon, Ron will find someone who is willing to help out and pour the mold for us.

[mattwastell]

Well done on the restoration! I have followed this link for ages now and I am very pleased for you to have completed the job. It looks great.
Thanks for sharing your work.
See ya

[Radar]

Project well done Baz. That sure looks like a nice restoration job. I'm sure the views will be even better.

Ray