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 | Mirror Box: 194 lbs. (110 lb. mirror, 84 lb. box) This is the engine compartment of a telescope. The primary mirror lives in here supported by the mirror cell. The altitude bearings are mounted to the sides and the bottom truss pole mounts anchor here too. |
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Rocker Box: 83 lbs. The rocker box supports the mirror box and allows it to pivot horizontally and vertically. In a large scope you want this box to be as low profile as possible to help reduce the number of steps up the ladder when viewing. |
 | Truss Assembly: 7 lbs. The truss assembly consists of 4 pairs of 1" titanium tube, each pair being joined at the top. |
 | Upper Cage: 16 lbs. This is where the focuser, the secondary mirror and the finder scopes are mounted. A connecting ring is used secure the tops of the 4 pairs of tubes, then the cage is installed with your feet on the ground. |
 | First Daylight: Here are a few pics of the process of sighting in the primary for the first time to determine final truss tube length. |
 | Finished Scope: 300 lbs. Here's the completed project. How fun it was, maybe there's a 40" in my future 8^) |