Ross Sackett's amateur telescope making
My telescopes
Helical crayford focuser
I had my minimill and minilathe for about a
year before I had much time to skill-up and
play with it, so I decided to learn on a useful
project. Here is my introduction to
machining: a 1-1/4" helical crayford focuser
in free-machining brass. It gave me a
chance to learn about workholding, basic
turning, boring, and milling. It took me about
three half-days in the shop to go from bar
stock to finished product. I think it turned
out pretty well for a first project, and the
action is silky smooth. Very gratifying.
year before I had much time to skill-up and
play with it, so I decided to learn on a useful
project. Here is my introduction to
machining: a 1-1/4" helical crayford focuser
in free-machining brass. It gave me a
chance to learn about workholding, basic
turning, boring, and milling. It took me about
three half-days in the shop to go from bar
stock to finished product. I think it turned
out pretty well for a first project, and the
action is silky smooth. Very gratifying.