Take a look at this site:

http://www.geocities.com/telescope1999/14-5inch.html

It's about a homebuilt 14.5 inch scope, but at the bottom of his webpage there are some useful links to websites that can help you determine if the seeing conditions will be good for viewing the planets with your telescope.

Uh, I can't help but think that some people might be unable to make a mirror...such as me. [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Or to manipulate tools that are more complex than a welding iron, cutters, scissors and occasionally less than 2 inch long knives. Then feel their heart pumping like hell because they feel they have just gone through some life threatening activity. Like me [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img].

I can also use glue. [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

The welding iron is pretty scary though. [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Mr. X on 2001-11-10 14:40 ]</font>

I agree, I always thought the blase "Anyone can make a telescope, it's easy!" crew were seriously over-estimating the average amateur's abilities. I did once make a sun-dial, though.

Then you can make a telescope. It's easier than a sundial. At least, it is if you buy the mirror already made, which is what most people do nowadays. I bought the mirror and the secondary and the focuser for my scope.

Here's a real good web page that shows that just about anyone can do it:

http://www.moonlightsys.com/atm/