✅ Only dedicated refractor-building book of its era – fills a huge gap.
✅ Extremely detailed machining drawings – if you have a lathe, you can follow them.
✅ Covers lens testing (Ronchi, Foucault) as applied to refractors.
✅ No fluff – dense, technical, and practical.
✅ Timeless techniques – still relevant today.
Overview
Key goals
User flows
Full Interactive Build
Variant Comparison
Parts Sourcing & Alternatives
Troubleshooting & QA
The "12 New" Variant Catalog (examples)
Variant 2 — Beginner 70/900 Travel Scope
Variant 3 — Intermediate 80/600 Apochromat Lite
Variant 4 — Intermediate 90/1000 Classic Achromat
Variant 5 — Advanced 100/800 Fast Refractor
Variant 6 — Advanced 102/714 APO Imaging Rig
Variant 7 — Dobson-style Refractor (compact)
Variant 8 — Travel Maksutov-Refractor Hybrid
Variant 9 — Educational Classroom Build making a refractor telescope norman remer pdf 12 new
Variant 10 — Portable Solar Filter Ready Scope
Variant 11 — High-Contrast Planetary Visual Rig
Variant 12 — Customizable Modular Tube System
Example: Step excerpt (Variant 1 — Beginner 60/700 Achromat)
I cannot provide, link to, or help locate unauthorized PDF copies of this book. If you want the content:
If you need a specific diagram or procedure from the book, I can explain the general principle based on known ATM techniques – just ask.
Making a Refractor Telescope by Norman Remer is a comprehensive technical guide for amateur telescope makers (ATM), primarily available as a 408-page hardbound book rather than a free public PDF . Published in 2006 by Willmann-Bell, Inc.
, it covers the entire process of designing, grinding, and mounting a doublet lens. Amazon.com Book Overview ✅ Only dedicated refractor-building book of its era
The text is known for demystifying lens making, which many amateurs traditionally avoid in favor of mirror-based Newtonian telescopes. First Light Optics Key Topics
: Design, grinding, polishing, testing, and mounting doublet lenses. Supplemental Material : Original editions included a with Excel spreadsheets for refractor design programs. Difficulty
: Described as a "hands-on" book that simplifies complex optical theory into practical steps using common tools. Where to Find It
While a full PDF is not legally hosted on common public sites, you can find the physical book and its catalog records through these sources: Digital Lending
: You can check for availability to "borrow" a digital copy at Open Library New & Used Copies : Available through retailers like First Light Optics Specialized Resources
: Often listed as a top resource for lens making on amateur astronomy hubs like Stellafane Publication Details : Norman Remer : 978-0943396620 : 094339662X : Willmann-Bell, Inc. (2006) Amazon.com specific lens design programs or spreadsheets that were originally on the CD-ROM?
If you’ve seen a file named something like Remer_Refractor_12_new.pdf, it’s likely:
No legitimate “12 new edition” exists. The only edition is the 1995 Willmann-Bell printing. Key goals
The book you are looking for is likely: Title: Making a Refractor Telescope Author: Norman Remer Publisher: Willmann-Bell (often associated with the "new" standard in telescope making guides).