The pattern for the lens cone next to the completed cone. The pattern is designed on the computer and then 3D printed.
The part is held on the lathe with a superglue arbor so very light passes are made to ensure it doesn’t come off.
Here is is all machined and polished. I'm using a torch to break the super glue that is holding it to the shop made super glue arbor.
Here are the parts that make up the main body. They are all cut to size and I use a jig to line them all up.
The cone is a press fit in the hole. Nothing but friction. I heat the body up to make it expand slightly and I freeze the cone to make it shrink a bit. when they are but together they temperature equalizes and they become permanently bonded.
Next is the top cap. Once again the pattern is design and printed and a mold is made to cast in aluminum
This part will become the tripod mount. A 1/4-20 thread will be added to the center and the edges rounded.