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A different take on an alt-az mount for a special project.............
Modifications to a SkyTee II mount.
I'm building two refractors for one client at present {amongst others} and the mount has had to be strengthened with six extra bolts and a small adapter plate. Then knobs were removed and fitted with retro slo-mo controls to reduce vibration as the scope is quite long!! The wide field will sit on the top and the large refractor will be side mounted on the up graded ADM saddle.
Now do they want standard weights or two stainless steel ones.....I'll give them a call !
Now do they want standard weights or two stainless steel ones.....I'll give them a call !
The all NEW Moonraker custom Tripod.... nearly finished......
Now available......... The Cruickshank-Inns & Thurstan-Turner retro Delta Pod.
Design and build has taken longer than expected, but we wanted to create something totally new, a tripod that is truly a work of art as well as being a fully functional tripod for both visual and imaging use. The Delta Pod was a stunning success at NEAF 2015 and bespoke variations of this Delta Pod are being created and shipped to locations as far apart as Australia, USA and Moscow. They are made by us in house & not farmed out. The name on the bespoke unit is that of the creators/makers, from start to finish..... all made by hand.
Our design has enabled a smaller foot print at 39" which is much smaller than other "classical" tripod designs available today with a 51" footprint, so there is less of a trip hazard and far more stable with no lateral twist due to the exact measurements and highest quality fixings and furniture. We are producing tripods, in various heights capable of taking heavy kit if needed yet still looking cool and elegant....See image below for weight baring!!. The sabre curved legs are designed to transfer the loading to a smaller area making the design more ergonomic and work on a similar principle to a "flying buttress" .
The tripod head can be made to take any style of mount from a Televue, EQ5, EQ6, FTX etc, etc and they can be made interchangeable. When collapsed the tripod is still freestanding, how cool is that!
The architectural & structural elegance is already a winner with design houses and custom bespoke variations are in the process of being made with a myriad of uses....Watch this space........
Design and build has taken longer than expected, but we wanted to create something totally new, a tripod that is truly a work of art as well as being a fully functional tripod for both visual and imaging use. The Delta Pod was a stunning success at NEAF 2015 and bespoke variations of this Delta Pod are being created and shipped to locations as far apart as Australia, USA and Moscow. They are made by us in house & not farmed out. The name on the bespoke unit is that of the creators/makers, from start to finish..... all made by hand.
Our design has enabled a smaller foot print at 39" which is much smaller than other "classical" tripod designs available today with a 51" footprint, so there is less of a trip hazard and far more stable with no lateral twist due to the exact measurements and highest quality fixings and furniture. We are producing tripods, in various heights capable of taking heavy kit if needed yet still looking cool and elegant....See image below for weight baring!!. The sabre curved legs are designed to transfer the loading to a smaller area making the design more ergonomic and work on a similar principle to a "flying buttress" .
The tripod head can be made to take any style of mount from a Televue, EQ5, EQ6, FTX etc, etc and they can be made interchangeable. When collapsed the tripod is still freestanding, how cool is that!
The architectural & structural elegance is already a winner with design houses and custom bespoke variations are in the process of being made with a myriad of uses....Watch this space........
Increasing our ability to machine bespoke and larger scopes....
Moonraker can now offer telescope builds which require larger milling and turning abilities. This puts us in a unique position to create your ultimate scope or parts thereof. We now work out of two workshops, when I say we, I mostly mean me...... This enables Moonraker to machine counter cells and lens cells up to 12 inches and make brackets, mounting bars etc, etc on a much larger scale. Looking at the pictures reminds me that a diet is definitely on the cards............................. and what happened to my looks, if I ever had any!
Accessories available from Moonraker.
The site needs a major overhaul, but at present we are so busy it will have to wait until after Christmas. Below are a selection of images showing examples of accessories you can order for your existing refractor. They include, custom finder scopes, guide scopes, tube rings, mounting bars, hand made thumb screws, counter weight systems, customised focusers, lens cells, counter cells, flocking and baffling, custom paint/plating/anodising service, dew caps, focuser caps, grab handles, focuser adapters, extension tubes, engraving etc, etc. No part of a Moonraker scope is a copy or replica, and from first rough sketch to finished item, all of our scopes are made in house and then assemble, with photo up dates at each stage of the process. Contact us if you have need of any of the above or just wish to discuss a project. Oh... The chickens often watch when work in progress!!!!!!!
NEWS FLASH........We are please to announce that Moonraker, in conjunction with Starlight instruments will soon
take receipt of the first {of many} Feathertouch focusers.
These ARE DIFFERENT, polished, anodized or plated to exactly match our unique range of refractors, more info on the blog
A service not available to any other telescope maker.
It's been a while in the offing, well since Summer of this year, but now the first focuser will be arriving shortly to have a Moonraker customized finish applied in the UK. I appreciate the help from Wayne and his patience and look forward to making these focusers available as options for all new builds and even adapting to fit an existing cherished scope that needs an upgrade. More info and images soon.
take receipt of the first {of many} Feathertouch focusers.
These ARE DIFFERENT, polished, anodized or plated to exactly match our unique range of refractors, more info on the blog
A service not available to any other telescope maker.
It's been a while in the offing, well since Summer of this year, but now the first focuser will be arriving shortly to have a Moonraker customized finish applied in the UK. I appreciate the help from Wayne and his patience and look forward to making these focusers available as options for all new builds and even adapting to fit an existing cherished scope that needs an upgrade. More info and images soon.
Unique to Moonraker, bespoke telescope cases.
The ultimate in Telescope cases, Made in England by a New subsidiary to Moonraker Telescopes. The first prototype from Cruickshank-Inns & Turner. I met Paul, a master craftsman, cabinet maker and of course amateur astronomer, after he contacted me regarding some work on one of his refractors. We got chatting about life the universe and everything, realised the answer was indeed 42 and decided we could work together to provide bespoke handmade accessories for refractors.
I'm hands off on the woodwork and leave this skilled job to Paul who machines every part of the box in his workshop, using seasoned timber. You'll not find any cheap plywood, fixings and furniture here. A case is like a frame it suggests the value and importance to the owner of the telescope it houses.
This prototype, housing an f16.7 60mm Tesla Terminator, has a bare interior at present, save for the lidded storage box for eye pieces and diagonals etc. Your bespoke case will have whatever compartment lights etc you feel necessary to use the case in the field or as a presentation piece. From cork faced rests on the stainless steel hinged back, to leather clad sledge runners on the bottom this is a beautifully made work of art.
The modern classic tripod coming soon. When it comes to the tripod we have been doing a lot of testing and research and have taken our lead from classic and modern designs to create a tripod capable of taking numerous mounts from FTX though to Sabre mounts as well as EQ mounts up to the size of an EQ6. Finished in a choice of woods and incorporating polished or brass metal work {this bit I do!} the tripod will be a perfect accessory for any classic or modern refractor that you use on a regular basis or have permanently mounted to be admired in your home.
Below is a list of some of the quality materials used on the prototype.
The pine used is Scandinavian sawn joinery Redwood.
Top grade Chudova Birch Lamination Plywood top bottom and scope cradles (felt lined)
The hinges are stainless.
latches are Protex medium duty Mild steel zinc plated with safety catch (stainless steel optional and on future hardwood boxes?)
'New old stock' stitched Leather handle
Leather topped sledge runners and feet. (On future ones the leather will be wrapped over the ends of the runners then they will be protected up against the lip of the side) Improvements already!
External Danish oil finish.
I'm hands off on the woodwork and leave this skilled job to Paul who machines every part of the box in his workshop, using seasoned timber. You'll not find any cheap plywood, fixings and furniture here. A case is like a frame it suggests the value and importance to the owner of the telescope it houses.
This prototype, housing an f16.7 60mm Tesla Terminator, has a bare interior at present, save for the lidded storage box for eye pieces and diagonals etc. Your bespoke case will have whatever compartment lights etc you feel necessary to use the case in the field or as a presentation piece. From cork faced rests on the stainless steel hinged back, to leather clad sledge runners on the bottom this is a beautifully made work of art.
The modern classic tripod coming soon. When it comes to the tripod we have been doing a lot of testing and research and have taken our lead from classic and modern designs to create a tripod capable of taking numerous mounts from FTX though to Sabre mounts as well as EQ mounts up to the size of an EQ6. Finished in a choice of woods and incorporating polished or brass metal work {this bit I do!} the tripod will be a perfect accessory for any classic or modern refractor that you use on a regular basis or have permanently mounted to be admired in your home.
Below is a list of some of the quality materials used on the prototype.
The pine used is Scandinavian sawn joinery Redwood.
Top grade Chudova Birch Lamination Plywood top bottom and scope cradles (felt lined)
The hinges are stainless.
latches are Protex medium duty Mild steel zinc plated with safety catch (stainless steel optional and on future hardwood boxes?)
'New old stock' stitched Leather handle
Leather topped sledge runners and feet. (On future ones the leather will be wrapped over the ends of the runners then they will be protected up against the lip of the side) Improvements already!
External Danish oil finish.
New "Aero" rings for finder scopes and more!!
New Aero rings for Moonraker refractors and your own if you are looking to upgrade your OTA. These will enable the fixing of finderscopes from 30mm-100mm without having to drill the OTA. They can also be rotated or removed depending on weather you are just viewing or need to use a secondary scope for tacking. These rings can also be fitted at any distance from each other so a smaller long focal length refractor can be fitted. Not to mention a counter weight system that can be added or removed. Hope you like them. Oh! These rings can take up to two secondary scopes, not just one as pictured in the example.
