6.5" or 7.5" shell casing

[JeffYoung]

I'm restoring a ca. 1880 Wray of London telescope and need to fabricate a new brass dewshield (the bit that sticks out from the front of the lens) for it.

Basically, I need a brass tube with an ID of at least 167mm (and not more than 8" or so), and roughly 18" long. Are there any commonly-available shell casings that would fit the bill? (I don't want to use anything rare as I'll be machining the bottom off of it.)

Thanks,
-- Jeff.

 

[JeffYoung]

Here's an example of an original brass dew shield on a smaller Wray telescope. This one is 4-3/8" in diameter; the instrument I'm currently working on is larger.

Thanks,
-- Jeff.

 

[TimG]

Jeff,

Follow the link http://www.homeworkshop.org.uk/index.php?option=com_weblinks&view=category&id=12&Itemid=12 There are a number of suppliers listed that stock large diameter brass tube.

Regards

TimG

 

[JeffYoung]

Tim --

Not having much luck at 6"+, but that's still a GREAT resource (I'm an amateur machinist as well).

Thanks,
-- Jeff.