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!!😊

[@VictorPatureau]

Very nice, and very pleasant collaboration with Olivier Verdier

[@RedSmith]

Merci Antoine ! C'était une collaboration très agréable.

[@ShireenPlays]

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

[@RedSmith]

Thank you very much

[@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!

[@JimDockrellWatertone]

Wonderful! A beautiful restoration and a fantastic video.

[@RedSmith]

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

[@ronnieahman6958]

Wow, what a piece. Beautiful restoration.

[@RedSmith]

Thank you very much!!

[@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 !!

[@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!

[@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.

[@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😊

[@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!!😊

[@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!😊

[@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 !!

[@CraftsWithEllen]

Gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous.

[@RedSmith]

Thank you Ellen. Happy you liked it.😊

[@WaveCyclesCreative]

Beautiful work, Sir! 🙌

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot Jim!!:)

[@Everythings_Adjustable]

Beautiful work! 👍👍

[@RedSmith]

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

[@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. :)

[@scoobshagg]

Gorgeous restoration

[@RedSmith]

Thank you Tim!!

[@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 :)

[@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 :)

[@davebauerart]

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

[@RedSmith]

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

[@sgsax]

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

[@RedSmith]

Thank you Seth !!

[@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.

[@MoonshineMetalworks]

Beautiful as always Red

[@RedSmith]

Thank you Steve. Much appreciated!!

[@Shivian124]

Beautiful work. Thanks for sharing!

[@RedSmith]

Thank you!! And thanks for watching!

[@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😊

[@RichardMartin]

That’s so, so good. Cheers Red!

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot Richard!!👍😊

[@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😉

[@jeanmariethibaut4231]

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

[@RedSmith]

Merci beaucoup !

[@whazee]

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

[@RedSmith]

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

[@PML91313]

Beautiful 😮 !!!

[@RedSmith]

Thank you!!

[@HarnealMedia]

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

[@RedSmith]

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

[@jonwills4670]

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

[@RedSmith]

Thank you very much Jon. Much appreciated!!

[@driftlessjoinery5059]

Turned out amazing.

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot Eric!!

[@CommeUnPingouin]

Un plaisir de découvrir ta chaîne grâce à Olivier :)

[@RedSmith]

Merci beaucoup et bienvenue !!

[@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 !!😉

[@int31cm]

Very nice work!

[@RedSmith]

Thanks!!

[@charlesdenagtergael1652]

very nice restoration, congratulations to you both for your collaboration

[@RedSmith]

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

[@MakingHuertasstuff]

Great restoration, Nice job

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot !!

[@lkocevar]

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

[@RedSmith]

Thank you very much Luka !!!

[@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 :)

[@chybz]

Awesome and very enjoyable video Red ! You rock !

[@RedSmith]

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

[@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!!

[@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 :)

[@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

[@CrossCutCreations]

Delicious! Seriously though, great job, Red!

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot! Gad you liked it😊

[@DaveGDesigns]

Red, simply stunning. 👌🏻

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot Dave!!

[@Create2make]

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

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot Paul. Glad you liked it!!

[@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.

[@stevesammut499]

A beautiful restoration.

[@RedSmith]

Thank you Steve!!

[@leoluhubert]

Bonjour, très beau travail, le résultat est magnifique.

[@RedSmith]

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

[@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!!😊👍

[@MADMAX353]

WOW!!! What fantastic craftsmanship!!

[@RedSmith]

Thank you very much!

[@sonyhk3824]

So beautiful and attractive restoration. Cheers guys

[@RedSmith]

Thank you very much!!

[@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😉

[@mohanthakur519]

Great job sir 👌👍

[@RedSmith]

Thank you!

[@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.

[@mlceates]

a different project for you, thoroughly enjoyed this

[@RedSmith]

Thank you very much!!

[@AdventuresInDIY]

Beautiful!

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot Chris!!!

[@Highlandboxes]

Wow that was a brilliant video and project :-)

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot Pam!!😊

[@mpm990]

Bravo ; tres beau travail et belle collaboration . merci.

[@RedSmith]

Merci Olivier ! C'est très gentil !

[@mdf9671]

Very nice work.

[@RedSmith]

Thank you!!!

[@JLo7575]

Amazing ketchup restoration 👍

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot !! ;)

[@MathieuDAVID]

vraiment superbe restauration! beau travail!!!

[@RedSmith]

Merci beaucoup !!

[@MrDigitalCypher]

Thanks Oliver! that was a fun one.

[@RedSmith]

You're welcome. Thanks.
Red :)

[@patricepotonnier951]

Super belle collaboration entre vous deux pour un résultat splendide!

[@RedSmith]

Merci Patrice !!

[@JEAN-me1yt]

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

[@RedSmith]

Merci Jean ! A plus :)

[@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. :)

[@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 !

[@alastor1302]

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

[@RedSmith]

Merci beaucoup !!

[@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 :)

[@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😉

[@SkylineDrone76]

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

[@RedSmith]

Exactement ! Merci beaucoup !

[@persioboni9373]

Ficou muito lindo.

[@RedSmith]

Muito obrigado!!

[@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 :)

[@jameshanoomansing1442]

excellent work

[@RedSmith]

Thank you James!!

[@stevenlincoln7503]

Nice job mate.

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot Steven!!

[@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 😉

[@erce78]

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

[@RedSmith]

Merci beaucoup !!😊👍

[@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 :)

[@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 !!

[@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.

[@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 😉

[@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 :)

[@babelbenminis8600]

Awesome !!

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot Benjamin!!

[@lyesloudini342]

Merci Olivier

[@RedSmith]

De rien, mais moi c'est Red :)

[@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 :)

[@csle1962]

Cool!

[@RedSmith]

Merci !!😊

[@_Oni]

Très belle restauration d'une longue vue. Merci.

[@RedSmith]

Merci Xavier !!

[@alanscannell]

Stunning work! I did not know ketchup cleans brass. If learnt something new. I wonder what bacon does? 😂

[@RedSmith]

Thank you Alan !! It does, and copper as well!!
Bacon makes you feel good ;)

[@alanscannell]

@@RedSmith good to know thanks red 👍 bacon sandwich for dinner 😁

[@vitormit]

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

[@RedSmith]

Большое спасибо. Я рад, что тебе понравилось :)

[@mayz8070]

J'adore ce que tu fais

[@RedSmith]

Merci beaucoup !!

[@kachboubou83]

Awesome

[@RedSmith]

Thanks a lot!!

[@WoodBrothersNDS]

Fantastico!!!!

[@RedSmith]

Grazie mille!!!

[@jeanloreaud9282]

Ma gni fique super travail bravo salut Jeannot 😉🛠

[@RedSmith]

Merci Jeannot ! C'est très gentil !

[@JayJanePhotography]

Amazing restoration!!! I'd love to see what sort of magnification it can do. Does it work when you put it in front of a mobile phone camera?

[@RedSmith]

Thank you! I didn't try with a camera but I can see stuff from over 200m :) Thanks for watching!

[@reforzar]

😍shiny!

[@RedSmith]

I like "Shiny" ;)

[@andrewstanton9715]

Baaadddd aaasssss!!! Beautiful!!!

[@RedSmith]

Thank you Andrew :)