These blocks are made from super strong Delrin also known as Acetal. It is an engineering thermoplastic (Polyoxymethylene) used in precision parts that require high stiffness, low friction and excellent dimensional stability. In other words it will never shrink, expand, crack, twist or warp under any weather conditions and is UV stabilised.

Added to these great qualities is a new spring loaded tongue that never becomes depressed. The tongue will always open when the knob is loosened.

As of Nov 2009 all SDM Dobsonians will feature these innovative pole blocks.

So what does the caretaker of SDM033 think of the scope?

“This is quite possibly the BEST 14″ SCOPE IN THE WORLD!
Everything about it is as good as I could ask for – I am VERY, VERY happy with the scope….absolutely ecstatic!
The Zambuto Optics are beautifully smooth and figured to perfection producing stars that are pin point sharp and a diffraction pattern that is essentially identical on both sides of focus. Naturally the contrast is excellent. From my back yard in average conditions I got the best views of Jupiter I have ever seen, in any scope, ever!…… I could even see detail in the Great Red Spot!!!
Mechanically this scope is a gem. Rock solid in use with silky smooth finger tip movement – in fact the movement in both axis is without doubt absolutely superb! Added to this are the ServoCAT, 10K Encoders and Argo Navis, Dew Control plus Carry Cases for UTA, Poles and Accessories.
Yes, this scope is pricey but it packs a punch way out of proportion to its size!”

And that’s what makes telescope building worthwhile!

…finds favour with family and friends.

Phil lives on the side of a hill overlooking beautiful green pastures in a lovely valley in Wyong Creek an hours drive north of Sydney. He has spent the last seven years converting an old post office into a delightful house for his his wife, three young children and two trusty old dogs.
He runs the Central Coast Traditional Chinese Medicine. He can do everything from driving a tractor or back hoe to delicately placing an acupuncture needle.
Having taken delivery of SDM034, he learnt to use the Argo Navis and ServoCAT in one night and is now keenly waiting for some clear dark moonless skies to do some deep sky observing searching out all those elusive fuzzy nebula and galaxies.

Phil recons: “I am 100% happy, no make that 150% happy with the scope!”

– Steve Kennedy has ground and bevelled the 32″ mirror – the focal length is hitting 115″
– Carl Zambuto has the 14″ mirror out of the annealing oven and is proceeding to grind the mirror using a cast iron tool.
– Peter Read has just returned from Sydney where he delivered Phil’s 18″ and upgraded Andrew Murrells 25″ Obsession and Rod Berry’s 20″ SDM. Rod is reported to have said that the love affair with his “Mary Rose” has been rekindled!

At SDM the customer is always right and there is no  better proof of this than when Anna and John wanted something a little  different. So it was out with the old and in with the blue, and as you can see  the result is stunning – just like the images that this compact produces with  its premium grade Galaxy optics. SDM#028 is as unique as it is beautiful.