Re-building 1878 With-Browning Telescope.

[A.S.I.G.N_Baz]

My good friend Ron has given me the honor of rebuilding his historic telescope. He handed me sveral parts, some beyond repair, some missing altogether. It has been quite a research project on his behalf just to get me as much information as he can so I have something to go on to rebuild things that havent been made for over a century.

His website, antiquescopes.com lists all the old telescopes of this kind to be found in the world to date, with a full photo and text documentation of the rebuild/restore of this particular instrument.

I for one, and immensely grateful to Ron, for giving me this opportunity, and placing his trust in me with this historically priceless instrument.

I am learning and re-creating metal working techniques that haven't been done in over 100 years. To me, this is experience that I will cherish as long as I live, as I feel a lot of this "manual" skill in engineering is being lost to automation and CNC machining.

Anyway, here are a few teaser pics of the work I have been doing with Ron's constant feedback of information and encouragement. More on his website.
http://www.antiquescopes.com/Restoration.aspx

Cheers,

Baz.

[JohnP]

Excellent Baz & thks for sharing. Scope looks really good - seems you are quite an expert metal worker.... Have you had a chance to look through the scope.

John

[A.S.I.G.N_Baz]

Yes John,

Photos down the boottom of this page. http://www.antiquescopes.com/Optics01a.aspx



Baz.

[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.

Baz.

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

[Fay]

Baz,

really enjoyed your video, the music was good as well. You are a clever man. Are you married?

[Fay]

What I mean, is, Baz, does your wife appreciate your hobby as it seems you are well keen!

[JohnP]

eh...! Steady on Fay - You'll be telling us all that you are moving to Australia next.... 

[A.S.I.G.N_Baz]

awww....shucks!...Should I be blushing Fay?

Yes, married happily. My wife does not share my passion for the stars and creativity, but she supports me every step of the way with patience and grace. It is a wonderful thing to not feel the need to give up your passions just because you are married. I would never ask anyone to give up theirs for me. It's sometimes sad to see that others sometimes forget that they married a person how they were, then spend thier lives trying to change them.

Not so in our marriage, we don't change each other, we grow together.

Baz.

[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.

[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...

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

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

[A.S.I.G.N_Baz]

Here's todays work...my poor hands..... 

[A.S.I.G.N_Baz]

All done.

[A.S.I.G.N_Baz]

Well, the last bits are done and installed. I drove up to Sydney to return it to 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.....

[Fay]

That is amazing, Baz, you are certainly clever & very keen & dedicated. Have you had a look thru yet?