AdeKing

Jim, Your build is looking great so far, I shall be folliwing closely as I'm looking to do a similar build in the not too distant future. Can I ask what you did to connect the theaded connectors to the end of the vanes? I can see that you've used threaded rod couplers and have drilled through them, and cut a slot into them to accept the vanes, but what did you use to fix them in place? I'm currently trying to make a more secure attachment for the spider on a 12" DarkStar Dob that I'm restoring I have the threaded rod couplings but can't work out how to secure them to the vanes of the spider. Looking at my Skywatcher OTA it appears that they have used small diameter split tubes inserted into the holes but I don't know what these are called or where to get any from. Is that the sort of thing that you've used? As I'm a real novice, any help would be appreciated. Ade

A friend of mine had this problem and used a screw extractor bit which worked for him. I think this is what @SonnyE is referring to as they have left hand threads on them. Screw Extractor Set

Is it just me or does that tabletop mount setup look like it was modelled on ED209's foot?

Lovely views of the moon with the stock lenses, some nice detail in jupiter, the double stars of Castor and also Mizar and finally M44. Enough to keep me happy, but the second night there was a lot less visible because of the moon.

Thanks for this excellent thread Adz, I took delivery of my Skyliner 200p earlier this week and this thread showed me exactly what to expect when it was delivered. Have used it three times before the clouds rolled in today and absolutely love it.