The Idea was born months ago

I had the original idea months ago: a fast Newtonian that's good for galaxy observation. Of course I love Saturn's rings and Jupiter's Great Red Spot as much as the next guy, but for me, the absolute wonder is in the galaxies. Looking in the eyepiece at a galaxy, some barred spiral galaxy, so far away that it actually fits in my eyepiece yet is physically big enough to match our own Milky Way, is just mind-numbing to me.

Currently I own and have been using a Celestron C9.25 on the CGEM mount. I don't like it. There are many reasons I don't like it, but many, many people DO love that telescope. I'm going to sell mine to someone who will appreciate it. Then I have to obtain, somehow, the telescope I WANT: an 8" f/4 Newtonian, lightweight conical mirror, aluminum tube, etc....I'm only going to find this one place: my workshop. I can't BUY this. It's not sold anywhere. Most of these fast Newtonians, billed as "imaging" Newtonians, are made in China and use cold-rolled steel tubes, cheap steel parts like primary mirror cells, etc...they're not precise instruments, with parts matched for inter-dependent excellence. The parts are matched for monetary profit on the unit.

I have also been pondering a UNIQUE and maybe STUPID saddle mechanism to mate my Newtonian to my CGEM, which will allow fairly easy tube rotation and lighter saddle weight than a $550.00/ 10 lb. pair of rotating rings (which must be mated to the tube with bolts).

First step is the idea. That step is done.

Second is the realistic appraisal of success: That is done. I'm likely to fail at this, but I'm trying anyway.

Third: Start the parts.

So, TODAY: I'm calling Hastings Irrigation in hope of ordering the tube(s) I need.

I plan to get 3' of 10" tubing for my main Newtonian, and a secret second tube for my super secret saddle mounting project.

Enough! Off to work.