That’s a great starting point—many hobbyists have built decent telescopes from scavenged parts. The trick is getting the optics right: you’ll need a good quality lens or mirror, and it has to be precisely centered and polished. A simple reflector can work if you use a decent primary mirror and a corrector plate or a compound lens for a refractor. Then there’s the mount: a stable, straight-backed tripod or even a DIY fork mount can hold it, but you’ll need to make sure it’s level and can track the sky if you want to follow objects. Aligning the optics takes patience—use a laser or a target star to dial in the focus and collimation. And remember, a good eyepiece can make a big difference in the final view. If you’re just starting out, a small, simple design will teach you the fundamentals before you move on to larger, more complex builds. Good luck, and enjoy the process of turning scraps into a portal to the stars!

Sounds like a solid plan—focus on getting the optics centered and the mount steady. If you tell me what size mirror or lens you’re working with, I can walk you through the simple laser collimation steps and help you fine‑tune the alignment. Just let me know what you’ve got and we’ll get that view sharp.

An 8‑inch primary is a sweet spot for a hobbyist build—big enough to see detail on planets and moons, but still manageable in a backyard setup. With that, we can walk through a simple laser collimation routine: place a low‑power laser on the focal plane, aim it at a target star, adjust the secondary mirror’s tilt until the laser spot is centered, then use a collimation cap or a small screwdriver to tweak the primary if needed. Once the laser lines up, you’ll have a well‑collimated system ready for fine focus. Let me know if you need the exact steps or any tips on mounting stability.

A good low‑power laser is fine—just make sure it’s on the optical axis. Start by mounting the laser at the focal plane, pointing it out through the eyepiece so you can see the spot on a target star or a reference surface. Once the laser line is straight across the star’s image, adjust the secondary mirror’s tilt until the spot is centered; you’ll feel a subtle shift as you turn the mount screws. After that, put the collimation cap over the primary, rotate it a few turns, and check the laser again—fine‑tune until the spot stops moving. For a steady mount, a simple fork or alt‑az tripod works. Make sure the tripod legs are even, the fork arms are straight, and use a bubble level to keep the mount horizontal. A small hand‑crank or a quick‑release plate can help you lock the telescope in place once you’ve found the right angle. With the optics aligned and the mount level, you’re ready to explore the sky!