Amateur Telescope Making

Picture Gallery

Optics Lab on a Picnic Bench.

Telescope Making with John Dobson

Amaryllis and John Dobson working on a telescope mirror Amaryllis and John Dobson working on a telescope mirror Amaryllis and John Dobson working on a telescope mirror

Grinding the Mirror Blank

Telescope Mirror Grinding Benches (picnic benches) Amaryllis grinding a 6 inch mirror blank. Washing grinding benches between grades of grit. A Creative sharpie test to check mirror engagement with tool during grinding.

Polishing and Figuring the Mirror

Preparing to polish the mirror blanks Checking for pits to see if polishing is complete. Washing grinding benches between grades of grit. Testing the figure of the mirror. Testing the figure of the mirror. Testing the figure of the mirror.

Finished Telescopes

Amaryllis and Roger, the Tigerscope Mark and Wilmot.