Making A Refractor Telescope Norman Remer Pdf ((link)) [LATEST]
A surprising portion of Remer’s book is about machining the lens cell. He argues that most refractor failures are not optical, but mechanical . If the cell pinches the lens, the image will show astigmatism (stars look like crosses).
A unique feature: Remer suggests flocking the tube with black velvet paper or, for the ambitious, machining internal helical baffles.
Critical methods for evaluating the optical quality of the lens and performing "figuring" to achieve precision. making a refractor telescope norman remer pdf
Most amateur telescope making (ATM) literature focuses on mirrors because they only require one surface to be shaped. Remer’s book challenges the common misconception that lens-making is an "insurmountable task" for amateurs. He demonstrates that while a doublet lens has four surfaces to finish instead of one, all are , making them manageable with the same simple tools and abrasive techniques used for mirrors. Key Content and Techniques
Remer’s method uses . You make a cast-iron or glass tool with the opposite curve, using abrasive grit (from 80 to 600 mesh). The key insight: you grind the two elements together as a matched pair for the inner surfaces, then grind the outer surfaces separately against standard spherical tools. A surprising portion of Remer’s book is about
In the world of amateur astronomy and ATM (Amateur Telescope Making), few projects are as rewarding as grinding and polishing your own lens. While Newtonian reflectors are the standard entry point for mirror makers, the refractor telescope remains the jewel in the crown of optical craftsmanship. For decades, one specific resource has stood as the gold standard for those daring enough to tackle the challenges of lens making:
His step-by-step cementing process is a classic: clean surfaces until they “squeak,” apply balsam in a cross pattern, bring together slowly to avoid bubbles, then center under a bright light, and finally bake at 120°F to cure. A unique feature: Remer suggests flocking the tube
If you prefer a physical booklet to scan yourself, set an alert. Prices range from $50 to $250 depending on condition. Once scanned for personal use, you then have your own legal PDF.
Before Remer published his definitive book, information on building refractors was scattered across obscure journals, outdated patents, and cryptic forum posts. Most ATM literature focused on the Newtonian reflector because it involves grinding only one curved surface and requires only flat mirrors for the secondary. A refractor, however, requires grinding and polishing two separate lenses (a crown and a flint), each with two precisely curved surfaces, and then cementing or spacing them perfectly to correct for chromatic aberration.
I’m unable to provide a direct PDF file or a full copy of Making a Refractor Telescope by Norman Remer, as it is likely still under copyright protection. However, I can offer a detailed article summarizing the key principles and steps from Remer’s classic work, which is highly regarded among amateur telescope makers.