Having encountered several concerns regarding SudiBall mounts thought I might put some to the test.
in particular:
- You need computers, CAD, plans etc to design them.
- You need a CNC router, laser, waterjet etc. to cut them out.
- Sudiballs are more appropriate for larger mirrors.
- Sudiballs only balance for very fast (short focal length) scopes.
- Sudiballs need to be built with a truss system to balance.
- You can't just upgrade your traditional scope to use a SudiBall mount.
Spring 2017 I worked on a unnecessarily crude, low tech prototype built around a mid century
Criterion Dynascope RV-6 Telescope.
It is a lot of fun to be free of the inherent constraints of valuable material and precious precision.
I am mostly using other peoples shops because mine is a) not a wood shop b) a big mess with no room
One alternative motivation for building this crude prototype in this way was:
now anyone who puts one together can say to themselves:
well ... at least mine is better than that one. :)
Here is an annotated gallery of the build for the
crude prototype.
It hopefully addresses the above points in a way anyone is able to replicate.
With a prototype operational, I can move on to a "dress rehearsal" version
which should be something amateur telescope makers(ATMs) with woodworking abilities
may actually want to build instead of the previous primitive prototype.
It included such niceties such as freshly store bought (shop grade) plywood and printable plans.
To begin I can point you to some drawings files
and a the annotated gallery of the build for the
dress rehearsal.
.