About Pines Optical:
Dick Wessling began making telescope mirrors in 1965, and he formed The Pines Optical Company in 1991.  For many years Dick worked for 3M Precision Optics where he was the senior specialist for optical analysis and testing.  He retired from 3M in 2006 to devote his full attention to Pines Optical and the art of creating superb telescope mirrors.

Why Pines Optical?
Optics are the heart of a telescope.  A Pines Optical mirror gives you quality you can see.  Simply put, it is not possible for mass produced mirrors like those in "catalog" telescopes to achieve the quality and performance of a mirror that has been hand figured by an expert.  Dick hand figures every primary mirror he sells.  The quality of these mirrors is truly breathtaking.  Each and every Pines Optical mirror can reliably be counted upon to give you pin point star images.  It is fair to say that the performance of Pines Optical mirrors may be equaled but not exceeded.  You just can't find a better mirror - period!

Satisfied Customers:

As an amateur astronomer for almost 50 years, I have owned many telescopes.  At a star party a few years ago, I had the opportunity to look through several telescopes with a Dick Wessling Mirror.  I was amazed.  Each Telescope showed the stars as perfect points of light!  I didn't realize what optical perfection was until I looked through these telescopes.  I sold my 14.5" f/6 Dob and ordered a 14.75" f/5.5 from Dick.  My wife and I were so satisfied with this telescope that we have since purchased a 10" f/8 and a 16" f/4.3.  Dick worked with us each time to build a telescope to our specific needs.
-- Dr. Mark Stephenson, Loveland, OH

I finished building a scope around the 12.5" mirror you figured and took it to Stonelick Park last Wednesday.  The people out observing said they were seeing detail in nebulas they'd never seen before.  The E and F stars in the trapezium jumped out, and five moons around saturn were easy.  I'm sure it will provide years of enjoyment.  Thanks.
--Scott Naylor, Cincinnati, OH

Based on three mirrors I have owned, I would rank Dick Wessling, of the Pines Optical Company in Milford, Ohio, as the best.  His optical prowess is legendary; large tri-schiefspieglers, Yolos, Solanos, classic Cassegrains, he has made them all, anything that uses mirrors.  These are Ferraris or Lanborghinis in terms of quality.
--Bill Meyers, Cincinnati, OH