Done! This week I finished the final touches and the new scope is ready for the field. I painted and polyurethaned the struts and adjusted the focuser's distance from the secondary mirror. Overall I'm pleased with the rebuild; The scope is more functional, looks better, and is certainly a step up in craftsmanship. There are still small things that bug me, but they'll have to wait for the next rebuild - or the bigger scope project. Images documenting my progress on this Flickr photo set.

I calculated the strut length, cut and drilled, and assembled the primary mirror box, secondary cage and struts together. After mounting the reflex finder and putting my heaviest eyepiece in I found the scope a bit top heavy when tilted over to about 25 degrees above the horizon. To lighten up the top a bit I cut out reveals in the upper ends of the struts. This helped the balance a little (but not enough) and helped the aesthetics even more. Ultimately I had to add two pounds to the bottom, which I accomplished with a pair of small metal canisters with eight four-ounce fishing sinkers divided between them.

The extra weight not only helps the balance when the scope is tipped far over - it also improves the motion overall. I measured to ensure that my calculations for the strut length were correct, but I need some clear skies for a 'first light' test to make sure.

EDIT: On 2/6 the skies were clear, so around 9:00 PM I set the scope up just outside the garage in a spot with no direct light from the houses or streetlights. Light pollution is very bad here, but I could see Orion, the Pleiades and Mars clearly with my eyes. Using the 25mm eyepiece I observed all three and discovered that I could almost achieve focus with it turned all the way in. A little adjustment with the spacers on the HC-2 focuser and I had it. The views were very sharp, so the spider design appears to be alright.

I calculated and measured again to be sure I had the secondary mirror in the optimal position relative to the primary. What it appears that I didn't do was account for the 1.25" adapter, which adds a little over a quarter inch to the focuser height. So I moved the focuser in toward the secondary about 3/8". One more test when the skies are clear, one last report and I'll be done.

Then, no doubt, I'll start thinking about how to make this design even better.

Images of telescope v.2 are in this photo set.