Home


 
Comments & Photos


Updated 5/12/25
 

 
Dobsonian Goodies

Apertura az motion/stability fix.
EZ adjust alt/az setting circles.
Height adjustment stands.
 


Mirror Masks
Sharpen images.
 
Visual: Fix turned down edge.     
Imaging: Remove mirror clip flare.
  

Mirror Cells

6" to 13.1" mirrors.
Custom calculated design
optimizes support points.

Visual cells:

Round aperture, no mirror clips.

Imaging cells:

GSO 6" f/4 back
focus extender cell.
 

Clamshell & Rotating Rings

Dobsonian mounts.
Equatorial mounts.
 
 
Favorite Links

Adventures In Deep Space.
Golden State Star Party.
Light Pollution News Podcast.
Equatorial Platforms.
 

Premium Mirror Cells
150mm/6" to 13.1" primary mirrors.
Designed custom to your mirror specifications for optimal performance.


Front: adjustable flat black acrylic retaining ring.


Rear: collimation knobs and lock screws.
Fan insert cutouts also available.

 These high performance cells are individually designed calculating mirror support points by diameter, thickness, focal length, and secondary size. Optimizing support points provides best image quality.

We eliminate intrusive clips that intrude over the mirror's face. Instead, we use a front retaining ring so your image is uninterrupted and perfect to the edge. And no need to glue your mirror to the cell, as that can induce stresses that can show in your image's quality. The ring is supported by three bolts 1/16th inch from the mirror 120 degree apart. Supporting bolts are buffered; your mirror rests on nylon spacers. And the retraining ring, covering 1/8" of the mirror's edge can eliminate any down edge image softness.

Tube minimum inside diameter must equal 1.5" larger than mirror diameter outside diameter.

     
Type Description
 Price
SMC6K 150mm/6" Mirror Cell Kit.
$79
SMC6F 150mm/6" Mirror Cell Finished
$98
PMC8-10K 8"-10" Mirror Cell Kit
$93
PMC8-10F 8"-10" Mirror Cell Finished
$110
PMC12-13.1K 12"-13.1" Mirror Cell Kit
$102
PMC12-13.1F 12"-13.1" Mirror Cell Finished
$119
Order
 
Shipping Quote Form.
    Your Name:
E-mail Address:  
Repeat E-mail:
Country:
Zip or postal code:
Mirror Diameter :
 

 

 Materials and manufacture:

  • Constructed of rigid, thermally stable light weight 3/4" birch plywood.
  • Acrylic front ring secures mirror without clip intruding image defects.
  • 6-point support positions calculated for optimal performance. 3 point for 6" mirrors.
  Dimensions and weight:
  • Front and back plates each 18mm thick.
  • Fully compressed cell from mirror back to end of collimation knobs: 2.8"
  • Fully compressed mirror back to middle (9mm) of rear plate cell mounting bolt holes: 1.44".
  • Half compressed mirror back to middle (9m0 of rear plate cell mounting bolt holes: 2.10".
  • Back plate O.D. designed to fit to 0.25" (0.5" total) of tube I.D: 10" tube ID = 9.5" cell O.D.
  • 13.1" cell weighs approximately 3.6 lbs.
Retaining ring:
  • Laser cut 1/8" black acrylic.
  • Eliminates mirror clips for a perfectly round mirror face, no intrusions.
  • Overhangs mirror edge by 1/8". Mirror cannot fall out through opening.
  • Eliminates possible turned down edge image softness.
  • 3 bolts @ 120 degrees secure acrylic ring through ring to front plate.
  • Bolts securing ring to front plate have nylon spacers protecting edge of primary.
  • Prevents mirror from lateral movement..
  • Eliminates mirror clip flaring.
  Front plate:
  • Bolts set at 120 degrees with one at top (0)..
  • Open design. No obstructions behind mirror (8"-13.1").
  • Mirror supports have small rounded points keeping the mirror 1/8" above front plate.
  Rear plate:
  • Collimating knobs backed with metal washers; smooth easy turning.
  • Cell position lockable with three nylon screws (8"-13.1" cells).
  • Options: unobstructed or with drilled inset/screw holes for fan (8"-13.1").
  What you need:
  • Kits may require fine sanding. Arrives rough sanded with 80 grit.
  • Kits require finishing or painting.
  • Kits and finished require 1/4" bolts and nuts for mounting cell into tube.