The Focuser
Making a 4.25 Inch Dobsonian
Reflector Telescope
For anything but the most frugal
telescope builder, I recommend buying a focuser. A good 1.25 inch focuser will cost maybe $30. A 2 inch probably starts around $50 and up,
but if you are building a large scope, it will be worth it. For this small project I came across a
couple cardboard tubes that mated perfectly and held 0.965 inch eyepieces with
a little tape. Much more effort went into making adapter for
the tube. For larger tubes I built a
jig that worked with a band saw. For
the 5 inch tube, the band saw blade wouldn't turn enough so I ended up using a
router on a long square piece of wood to get the right curve. The four machine screws are held down with
nuts.
Disassembled Parts View
Adapter Top View
Adapter Bottom View
Adapter Side View