Telescope Making & the home of Binocular Telescopes

The Bolton Group - Brian Webber, Gerald Bramall and David Ratledge

This page features some of the telescopes and binocular telescopes made by the Bolton Astronomical Society trio of Gerald Bramall, Brian Webber and David Ratledge. Gerald is a self taught machinist specialising in aluminium fabrications. Brian is ex-British Aerospace and an optics maker of some renown having made tens of mirrors, a 5 inch object glass, a Maksutov and a Springfield mounted Newtonian. Myself I have been making telescopes for 50 years but still suffer from "aperture fever"!

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Kaizen 200mm Bins Updated 2016

Continuous improvement has produced probably the best pair of binos yet. A second identical pair is under contruction.

Minimalist 200mm Bins 2011

The dynamic duo have done it again!
Click on the image left for details. SOLD.

300mm Binoculars MarkII

Finished for Kelling Heath 2006. these lightweight 12-inchers feature easy breakdown for one man operation. SOLD

8.5 inch Ultra-light Binoculars

New inter ocular adjuster and light-weight design create very user-friendly binoculars. SOLD.

12-inch Binoculars MarkI

Superb binoculars with eyepieces at 45 degrees.

Original 8-inch Binoculars

The binos that began the revolution showing binos could be practical and perform. SOLD

400mm Newtonian

Big fast f/4.7 Newtonian with computer goto

Camera Tracker

Several of the group needed a lightweight camera tracker that was better (and cheaper!) than the expensive scissor type now on the market. This was the solution.

200mm Rumak

Maksutov Cassegrain with separate secondary mirror for even better optical corrections. SOLD.

Dew Heaters

In the damp Lancashire climate Dew Heaters are one of life's essentials

3 of the Best

3 totally different telescopes

Poor Man's Paramount

German equatorial mount that has Byer's gears and is red but it's not a paramount!