Antique Telescope Restoration DIY

In 2008, I bought an old telescope at an auction. I got it for really cheap and kept it for years untouched.
A few days ago, I decided to restore this telescope. As it is all made of brass, I used ketchup to remove the oxydation. I applied a light coat of ketchup, let all the pieces seat for about an hour, cleaned the ketchup with warm water, then polished the pieces with 0000 steel wool and a buffing wheel.
I replaced the leather wrapping of the telescope with 1.6mm/4oz leather. I also made a hinge for the telescope case with a piece of leather.
I hope you'll like both our videos.
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Visit : / theredsmith
Music : Tiny Spark by Johannes Bornlöf (Epidemicsound.com)
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Thanks for watching!!

[@KarolineHinz]

As much as I like a nice weathering, this turned out just too freakin beautiful to be true!! Love it so so much!

[@RedSmith]

Thank you very much Karoline! I like old weathered stuff but I also like shiny😉

[@jasoncdebussy]

Wow - just wow! I don't suppose that telescope is hugely valuable but to see a wonderful old instrument treated with such love and care absolutely delighted me. Beautiful work.

[@ParveenKumar-wq1pn]

I have one please connect me 8968497804

[@OlivierVerdier]

Great resauration, and I'm glad to see it goes well with my case

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot Olivier. It goes very well with it ;)

[@MathieuDAVID]

@@RedSmith je me trompes ou avec les supports ça ne ferme pas?

[@RedSmith]

@@MathieuDAVID Olivier a travaillé avec les dimensions que je lui avais donné et il a fait un excellent travail. C'est extrêmement difficile de faire une boîte pour un objet qu'on n'a pas avec soi, il y a toujours un imprévu de dernière minutes, en l'occurrence, j'ai pris les dimensions sans le capuchon. Avec quelques petits ajustement ça sera parfait 😊

[@NandiCollector]

😀👏

[@afinoxi]

This video got uploaded the same time I was talking with my dad about our telescopes and scopes. Such timing my man.

[@RedSmith]

Oh nice!! What a coincidence!!😊

[@ShireenPlays]

I don't even want to know how much that restoration was but that is one beautiful telescope.

[@RedSmith]

Thank you very much

[@VictorPatureau]

Very nice, and very pleasant collaboration with Olivier Verdier

[@RedSmith]

Merci Antoine ! C'était une collaboration très agréable.

[@colinaskey9777]

A very professional refurbishment of a old and very well made telescope,it is a collectors piece now,well worthy of a 5 ☆ rating

[@RedSmith]

Thank you very much Sir! A collector piece indeed. I will give it to my son my he is old enough😊 Thanks for watching!

[@ronnieahman6958]

Wow, what a piece. Beautiful restoration.

[@RedSmith]

Thank you very much!!

[@CraftsWithEllen]

Gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous.

[@RedSmith]

Thank you Ellen. Happy you liked it.😊

[@ProfessorXist]

Awesome restoration, and great fun watching this one as well as Olivier's video. Thanks both

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot for watching. Glad you liked both videos!

[@rachakara4959]

Today I found pretty much the same telescope in the trash, I stumbled upon a treasure!! It’s a Ducretet & Roger PARIS. Honestly I pity the people who threw it, not knowing the value of it. Anyways, that was a really good restoration, really informative and instructive too, thank you! Now I will go and take care of my new gem, good day!

[@RedSmith]

That's crazy what people throw away. You are very lucky to have found it. Happy you learned something from my video, and good luck with yours :)

[@JimDockrellWatertone]

Wonderful! A beautiful restoration and a fantastic video.

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot Jim. Happy you liked both!!😊

[@Mathieu.Clavel]

Bravo pour cette magnifique restauration et merci pour votre collaboration avec Olivier 👏👏👏👍

[@RedSmith]

Merci Mathieu, c'était un plaisir de travailler avec lui.

[@scoobshagg]

Gorgeous restoration

[@RedSmith]

Thank you Tim!!

[@ArtfullyRogue]

Wow! All around beautiful work! I had no idea that telescopes had so many components. I also learned that ketchup polishes brass incredibly 👍

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot mate. Almost too many parts. I was lucky not to lose any of them. Yes it works pretty well😊

[@MGMakes]

Tomato sauce, brilliant. It looks as good as the day it was made. 👊👊 Right off to watch Oliver's build. 😁

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot Martin!! The tomato sauce thing was Brett's tip and it worked very well. 😊

[@MartinLegare]

I guess the vinegar is the most active ingredient. But the ketsup paste give it a nice viscosity so it stays on.

[@RedSmith]

@@MartinLegare Exactly!😊

[@feedingmymakermonkey246]

Beautiful restoration -- I've got some old opera glasses I may have to pull out and restore... thanks for the inspiration!

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot! Hoooo, I like opera glasses as well...Hope the restoration goes well!! My pleasure!!😊

[@totobill22]

Vraiment superbe collaboration entre vous-même et Olivier ! Bravo à tous les deux ! I'm not the king of the english langage but it's a marvellous work , superb restoration and a beautiful trip in the past, thank you so much.

[@RedSmith]

Aucun problème, les commentaires en français sont également les bienvenus. Merci en tout cas, j'apprécie vraiment !!

[@PML91313]

Beautiful 😮 !!!

[@RedSmith]

Thank you!!

[@richarddefour5220]

Tu viens enfin de me montrer l'utilité du ketchup, ça vaut déjà un pouce bleu, et un autre pour la qualité de ta restauration, spécialement le travail du cuir.

[@RedSmith]

Merci Richard ! Comme quoi, ça peut être utile le ketchup😉

[@whazee]

That came out beautifully! So satisfying to watch. 😊❤

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot Billiam, as always, I really appreciate your support!

[@jeanmariethibaut4231]

Très belle collaboration avec Olivier et magnifique restauration de cette lunette.

[@RedSmith]

Merci beaucoup !

[@Sithieu]

C'est vraiment magnifique !!! Bravo à tous les deux pour ces très belles réalisations soulignées par une musique qui ne pouvait être autre. Merci !!!

[@RedSmith]

Merci beaucoup ! C'était très intéressant et agréable de collaborer avec Olivier sur ce projet. :)

[@RobertoRMOLA]

Interesting idea about the ketchup. I didn't know that! I believe it acts like a "controlled" acidic media. Excellent! But let me do some criticism: I wouldn't apply the double face tape on the middle of the leather strip, as you did. I would do it at the junction, where you did the stich. Over the tape I would draw a straight line to guide the leather installation. I don't know if you noticed but it became spiraled because you "eyeballed" the leather application over the tape... Something I would never do to a fine object like that box is a leather hinge: that's the kind of thing only suitable to very rustic objects. I would install a very shiny and beautiful brass music wire hinge. Beside the better appearance there's a longer durability. Sorry if you disagree or became angry or disapointed, but that's my opinion...

[@RedSmith]

Thanks Roberto. You're right, it's just like a "controlled" acidic media. The leather hinger was Olivier's idea, a way for me to have something to do on the box, but I will probably change it for a brass piano hinge soon. Don't worry about disagreeing, you have the right to express your opinion as long as you do it politely, which you did, so no problem :)

[@fabtwister]

Mais quelle magnifique collaboration, bravo à vous 2. Y'a un sacré savoir faire à vous deux c'est ouf!

[@RedSmith]

Merci beaucoup Fabien !!

[@danthemakerman]

You never disappoint the restoration was beautiful. I love every bit of it.

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot Dan!! Happy you liked it. It was fun to do even if putting it all back together was a bit tricky😊

[@AdventuresInDIY]

Beautiful!

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot Chris!!!

[@jonwills4670]

Fantastic job at bringing this fine piece of craftsmanship back to life! 👊🏻

[@RedSmith]

Thank you very much Jon. Much appreciated!!

[@sgsax]

Lovely restoration! Looks brand new. :) Thanks for sharing!

[@RedSmith]

Thank you Seth !!

[@Create2make]

That looks really great, nice to see the final result is such a contrast

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot Paul. Glad you liked it!!

[@spurs3483]

Absolutely beautiful work. I just came across an antique telescope as we were cleaning up my Mom's place. I don't know whether it belonged to my Mom's family or my Dad's family. Whatever the case, it looks very similar to yours when you started.

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot. You just found yourself a family treasure. Take great care of it and have a nice day.

[@SCRAPWOODTOCRAFTWOOD]

Wow absolutely beautiful restoration I like it thanks for sharing your work with us 👍

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot Big Boy !! I appreciate you watching! Thanks for the support :)

[@lkocevar]

Now THAT'S a restoration! Wow! Bravo sir, braaaavo.

[@RedSmith]

Thank you very much Luka !!!

[@driftlessjoinery5059]

Turned out amazing.

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot Eric!!

[@etienne025]

Superbe réalisation de vous 2 😍😍 je suis impressionné par l’utilité du ketchup! 😃😃 bravo,

[@RedSmith]

Merci Etienne. Oui, le ketchup fonctionne vraiment bien. Simple et facile ;) Merci encore.

[@charlesdenagtergael1652]

very nice restoration, congratulations to you both for your collaboration

[@RedSmith]

Thank you Charles ! I'm happy you liked both videos :)

[@WaveCyclesCreative]

Beautiful work, Sir! 🙌

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot Jim!!:)

[@Shivian124]

Beautiful work. Thanks for sharing!

[@RedSmith]

Thank you!! And thanks for watching!

[@christopheb.2195]

Ah oue quand même 😮 Très joli boulot que vous avez réalisé là, tout les deux 👌 La longue-vue est juste magnifique 🤤

[@RedSmith]

Merci beaucoup Christophe !!😉

[@DaveGDesigns]

Red, simply stunning. 👌🏻

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot Dave!!

[@davebauerart]

Wonderful restoration. The ketchup works like magic. Of course the leatherwork is beautiful.

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot Dave. I works really well indeed :)

[@stevesammut499]

A beautiful restoration.

[@RedSmith]

Thank you Steve!!

[@MakingHuertasstuff]

Great restoration, Nice job

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot !!

[@brettsayers7768]

Fantastic video Red, really enjoyed the resto. I also learnt something new about Ketchup. Great work!

[@RedSmith]

Thank you Brett. If you learnt something and enjoyed the video, my job is done here😉

[@RichardMartin]

That’s so, so good. Cheers Red!

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot Richard!!👍😊

[@MathieuDAVID]

vraiment superbe restauration! beau travail!!!

[@RedSmith]

Merci beaucoup !!

[@CommeUnPingouin]

Un plaisir de découvrir ta chaîne grâce à Olivier :)

[@RedSmith]

Merci beaucoup et bienvenue !!

[@jpwoodwork]

WOW! Nothing else I can say about that dude.... just WOW!!

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot Jamie!! Much appreciated! How the leg is healing well

[@jpwoodwork]

still painful but getting there mate, pain certainly eased off a LOT :)

[@GibClark]

Super cool!!! I had totally forgotten the ketchup tip !!!! Great collab 👍👍👍👍

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot Gib. Happy you liked it. Brett taught me the ketchup tip :)

[@Everythings_Adjustable]

Beautiful work! 👍👍

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot Sparky !! Glad you liked it :)

[@latelierduheron-pierre-ant2960]

Merci à Olivier pour cette découverte (c'etait un peu le but ;) ). Magnifique restauration. Très beau travail sur le télescope et sur la boite. Restaurer ce genre d'objet est aussi rendre un bel hommage à l'artisan qui l'a fabriqué! BRAVO!!!

[@RedSmith]

Merci Pierre-Antoine. C'est vrai, c'est également un hommage à l'artisan qui l'a fabriqué :)

[@MADMAX353]

WOW!!! What fantastic craftsmanship!!

[@RedSmith]

Thank you very much!

[@MrDigitalCypher]

Thanks Oliver! that was a fun one.

[@RedSmith]

You're welcome. Thanks. Red :)

[@mlceates]

a different project for you, thoroughly enjoyed this

[@RedSmith]

Thank you very much!!

[@leoluhubert]

Bonjour, très beau travail, le résultat est magnifique.

[@RedSmith]

Bonjour, merci beaucoup ! Je suis plutôt content du résultat :)

[@HarnealMedia]

Spectacular job G. Telescope looks great and the box was great too

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot Steve !! Glad you liked both!!

[@sebcreationsbois9709]

Bonjour, Impressionnant le Ketchup lol. Très très belle restauration. J'adore... Bravo Amicalement Seb

[@RedSmith]

Bonjour Seb, et merci. C'est vrai, le ketchup m'a également très impressionné. Facile et assez rapide. Merci encore !! Red

[@sonyhk3824]

So beautiful and attractive restoration. Cheers guys

[@RedSmith]

Thank you very much!!

[@AHBespoke]

Beautiful job sir love it. Also learnt a few tricks legend.

[@RedSmith]

Thank you Sir!! Glad if you liked the video and learnt something!!😊👍

[@lionelblanchard4131]

purée de tomate, la mayonnaise de 2 makers, enfin on y arrive côté France.vidéo et musique extra un délice à regarder.j' attendais ce concept depuis longtemps qui permet de découvrir de nouveaux Makers . super réalisations à tous les deux.J’espère trouver ce concept dans la communauté des Bichons aussi.Bonne continuation .

[@RedSmith]

Merci Lionel ! Content que tu aies aimé la vidéo. Je suis content de voir que la communauté des Makers français s'agrandit et surtout commence à entrer en contact. J'espère qu'elle deviendra aussi soudée que la communauté anglophone. :)

[@patricepotonnier951]

Super belle collaboration entre vous deux pour un résultat splendide!

[@RedSmith]

Merci Patrice !!

[@MoonshineMetalworks]

Beautiful as always Red

[@RedSmith]

Thank you Steve. Much appreciated!!

[@mpm990]

Bravo ; tres beau travail et belle collaboration . merci.

[@RedSmith]

Merci Olivier ! C'est très gentil !

[@alastor1302]

Une belle collaboration pour un beau projet. Bravo !!!

[@RedSmith]

Merci beaucoup !!

[@jayyatulis7691]

Beautiful restoration! Nice leather work! Great tip on the ketchup, makes sense that it would work. I will try it! :)

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot Jay. Please do try it, it worked very well for me. If you want a mirror finish, 0000 steel wool and buffing wheel get the job done.

[@jameshanoomansing1442]

excellent work

[@RedSmith]

Thank you James!!

[@pedrocoelho601]

Another great project,another great video,congratulations for all your work my friend,big hug for all ;)

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot Pedro, as always!! Hugs to the family!!

[@chybz]

Awesome and very enjoyable video Red ! You rock !

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot Remy. Much appreciated !!!😊👍

[@CrossCutCreations]

Delicious! Seriously though, great job, Red!

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot! Gad you liked it😊

[@erce78]

Un très beau travail comme d'hab. Great work like every time

[@RedSmith]

Merci beaucoup !!😊👍

[@babelbenminis8600]

Awesome !!

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot Benjamin!!

[@JLo7575]

Amazing ketchup restoration 👍

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot !! ;)

[@JEAN-me1yt]

Bonjour, très magnifique cette restauration du télescope avec cette belle musique trop super, à plus Jean

[@RedSmith]

Merci Jean ! A plus :)

[@SkylineDrone76]

bravo à vous, chacun son art pour un même but. encore bravo.

[@RedSmith]

Exactement ! Merci beaucoup !

[@Highlandboxes]

Wow that was a brilliant video and project :-)

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot Pam!!😊

[@mohanthakur519]

Great job sir 👌👍

[@RedSmith]

Thank you!

[@christophebourreau2653]

C est magnifique un superbe projet mené d'une main de maître bravo à vous deux Et le ketchup exelent fallait y penser !!! Ps : magnifique musique pour la vidéo j adore ! !!

[@RedSmith]

Merci beaucoup Christophe !

[@_Oni]

Très belle restauration d'une longue vue. Merci.

[@RedSmith]

Merci Xavier !!

[@garenne0169]

Belle restauration et je ne connaissais pas le coup du ketchup 😁👍🏻

[@RedSmith]

Merci beaucoup. Il paraît que le coca marche aussi très bien. Il faudra que j'essaie ça 😉

[@int31cm]

Very nice work!

[@RedSmith]

Thanks!!

[@homeyshlitz]

Beautiful workmanship on both of you guys. I would've used black sinew for the leather.

[@RedSmith]

Thank you very much. Glad you liked it.

[@csle1962]

Cool!

[@RedSmith]

Merci !!😊

[@mdf9671]

Very nice work.

[@RedSmith]

Thank you!!!

[@kachboubou83]

Awesome

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot!!

[@reforzar]

😍shiny!

[@RedSmith]

I like "Shiny" ;)

[@phunkissartisticcreations2316]

Epic restoration!! It came out looking so beautiful! We just did a three part metal sculpture series, with each piece containing a lot of brass, and would like to know what you'll use to keep your telescope looking new over time. Excellent video!

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot! Ketchup works well, coca-cola works also. But you need to clean it really well with warm water once it's done :)

[@marcserazin4457]

Ouah bravo a vous deux, très beau projet et très beau produit. Le ketchup je ne connaissais pas pour le décapage, ont en apprend tous les jours. Peut on faire quelque chose avec la moutarde ?? Continuer comme ça, merci. Marc@

[@RedSmith]

Merci Marc ! Le coca semble fonctionner pas mal non plus, mais la moutarde, il faudra que j'essaie😉

[@timberdish]

I don't have anything that needs restoration but I have never been so inspired to go out and paint stuff with ketchup! :D Great video as always buddy, really enjoyed that one :)

[@RedSmith]

Hahaha, painting with ketchup is fun, and makes you hungry ;) Thanks a lot Matt, as always !!

[@sympiamao1498]

WoW je ne sais pas où tu as réussi à déniché ce magnifique objet mais bravo. 😍

[@RedSmith]

Merci beaucoup. Je l'ai eu pour presque rien dans une vente aux enchères il y a quelques années :)

[@vitormit]

Всё отлично! Работа, музыка и результат! Посмотрел с удовольствием!

[@RedSmith]

Большое спасибо. Я рад, что тебе понравилось :)

[@stevenlincoln7503]

Nice job mate.

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot Steven!!

[@jeanloreaud9282]

Ma gni fique super travail bravo salut Jeannot 😉🛠

[@RedSmith]

Merci Jeannot ! C'est très gentil !

[@persioboni9373]

Ficou muito lindo.

[@RedSmith]

Muito obrigado!!

[@mayz8070]

J'adore ce que tu fais

[@RedSmith]

Merci beaucoup !!

[@sarahm3660]

Superbe !! Bravo à tous les 2 ! Il n'y a plus qu'à observer les étoiles ! 🌠🌟 *1abonnée de plus à The Redsmith*

[@RedSmith]

Merci Sarah, et bienvenue sur ma chaîne !! Oui, je suis prêt pour la prochaine nuit étoilée :)

[@Pepeboyington71]

Cool 👍

[@RedSmith]

Thanks!

[@SylviePereiraSyPer]

Incroyable ! une restauration au ketchup ! Ca marche sur quels autres métaux ? Avec la couture en croix, ça change tout. Magnifique projet ! Bien joué Red ;)

[@RedSmith]

Merci beaucoup Sylvie. Ça fonctionne également sur le cuivre. L'acidité est suffisante pour attaquer la corrosion sans toucher le métal. Il parait que le coca fonctionne également. A tester 😉

[@hugomeli3267]

Haha mais qui voilà 😉

[@WoodBrothersNDS]

Fantastico!!!!

[@RedSmith]

Grazie mille!!!

[@andrewstanton9715]

Baaadddd aaasssss!!! Beautiful!!!

[@RedSmith]

Thank you Andrew :)

[@MsRazvan29]

Bravo ❤❤❤😍

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot!!😊

[@sakura-enpausemaispaspourl1543]

la classe👍✨

[@RedSmith]

Merci !👍😉