Welcome
to the Lockwood
Custom Optics, Inc. web site. My
name is Michael Lockwood, and I started LCO in 2006 to supply quality
optics to amateur and
professional astronomers, telescope builders, scientists,
researchers, and industry.I
am a source
for high-quality optics and
services such as:
Other important notes
Before placing an order, please read my FAQ. It contains answers to lots of questions, and also discloses some terms and conditions of sale. I make custom optics, so sales terms are different than for mass production items.
Large
mirrors
- I
can currently provide
mirrors, with matching flats, up to 40" in quartz. A source for
larger sizes is being developed, check back soon. I can also
produce slightly thinner borosilicate
mirrors up to just over 40" in diameter, though the price of Supremax
has recently approached that of quartz. Therefore, I am using
more quartz. I will
help to make your large-aperture
telescope a reality and
success, not only by making high-quality optics, but also with mirror
cell advice and other telescope tips.
Small mirrors - I prefer to make new monolithic mirrors that are 16" or larger. For 8" - 15" optics slower than f/4.0, I highly recommend Carl Zambuto. I refigure mirrors as small as 10".
Glass and flats - I work on quality cast or machined cellular blanks and flats. I prefer not to work on fused blanks, though. I do not make small flats. I prefer to refigure flats only when I am working on or testing a primary that goes with it. I am now only supplying flats for clients who are buying a primary or are having one refigured by me, though I will entertain quoting larger flats or those that I already have on hand.
Mirror cell testing - I have extensive experience with mirror cells for alt-azimuth Newtonian telescopes, and mounting larger flat mirrors. I have helped many clients deal with issues such as this, and it is one reason that clients choose my optics. I have done consulting work for clients who need mirror mounting recommendations.Experience and typical work: I have considerable experience in working fast mirrors (sub-f/4 by amateur astronomy standards), thin mirrors, cast cellular mirrors, and combinations thereof. I make custom focal ratios and can supply a specific focal length to close tolerance if required.
For a list of any items that I may have in stock, please click here, and see if that gives you some project ideas.Much of my work is for the clients listed on my Clients page, and I thank them for choosing to work with me based on the quality of my work, adaptability to meet their needs, timely delivery, and dependability.
My Projects Page lists many, but not all, of the other projects that I have been involved with.
Contact Information
If
you have a project that requires
high-quality optics done
right the first time, or a mirror that needs refiguring or
testing, please email me at:
PLEASE NOTE - EMAIL (in general) DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK! Technology has made communication easier, but certain email addresses are blocked by certain filters, messages sometimes simply disappear, and that is not your or my fault. So, If you've tried to contact me and haven't heard back, there is a significant chance that the email got eaten by the internet or a spam filter.
I may be busy, but I am NOT ignoring you. Also, remember that I may occasionally be on vacation and away from internet service.
If you don't receive my reply within a week, please join my Yahoo group and post a message there. If you can see your message, then so can I, and I can respond.
For shipments/payments, my shipping and mailing address is: