11/20/2000
- OK what have I done... I cut the "U" s on the rocker supports,
pretty even. I have glued and screwed the rocker together. I also
glued the formica to the base and cut it circular even with the edge
of the wooden piece with the saber saw.
Legs are glued and screwed to the base. Oh yeah, I have been to Charlie's
to sand down the base circles and the side bearings to be fairly circular.
Tonite I countersunk and screwed the base with formica to the rocker.
I had experimented once with screwing a piece of formica to scrap
wood and it worked ok. Should be fine. Next step is to prime.
Drilling holes
is so much fun!
12/6/2000
- Too cold for painting today! The past few days I have been painting
the base, rocker box and mirror cell components. Flat black--I think
three coats will be best. (All parts were primed)
Last night me and Mom measured the focal length.
Method: place mirror standing upright on flat surface
Tape piece of cardboard with hole in center to flashlight
Move back until reflection on cardboard is sharp
Measure from surface of mirror to reflection
1/2 that distance is focal length!
(Thanks to Dennis Woos for that idea!)
My distance was 94" therefore focal length=47" pretty close
to f/8! Not sure why it works that way...But it does!
All parts are cut
out and primed
12/10/2000 - I
nailed the 2"x2" Teflon pads to the base and assembled
the thing! Screwed rocker box to base with 3/8" hex bolt. Works
good! Everything is painted. I also got some foam and felt pads
to bolster mirror in cell. It will take some thinking to put it
together.
Next step is really to varnish the tube, rear of rear bulkhead,
and side bearings. I may also need to order 2 more Telflon strips
to ensure a snug fit of the tube. Should order these just in case.
Also have to think about handles.
Painting the rocker
box--hey I didn't want to get
paint on my pants!
