UKDiver

Well I didn't have an 8.5m bit to drill out the hole, but 8mm was enough given it was ali being tapped. If anyone else finds they've stripped a thread, it's not a big deal to repair. If you're within a few miles of Exeter, I'll do it again (at your risk!) - I've a spare knob or two. Job done. Now let's hope Polaris shines out along with a few other mates.

That's a fair question Iapa. There is a sweetspot in one point of the sloping garden that does not need this particular leg to be adjusted. However I can't yet be sure it's useful as I've not seen Polaris for nearly three weeks - as long as I've had the kit. I understand this is a typical situation. The scope's (200PDS) eyepiece is fairly high, I'm on the shorter side, so all three legs don't need top be extended much. Not being able to adjust this leg is likely to seriously impact on the flexibility of location, even in a small garden. So I will have to fix it. Adrian

There's the added excitement of buying new tools and using them to do something I've not done for nearly 40 years!

Thank you Banjaxed. Unfortunately I could not find a post of this tripod, only threads on other types. FLO suggested I could get a replacement leg from Astroboot, but at E39 plus postage, that seems like a sledge hammer to squeeze a nut. The German's are lucky in that there is legislation requiring spares to made available to the public. So it looks like I'll be tapping M10 for a slightly bigger knob. Adrian

Spot on. High altitude, miles from anywhere? 'Gonna need a bigger boat' to get the job done.

hi Noodles, Having done zero vis diving (sometimes deliberately), I reckon that's probably a very fair analogy. Adrian

Hmm, heat gun on the leg made no difference, to the point the cone was almost hot too. A chat with FLO next week I think for advice.

That was going to be my approach Julian and hope I don't over do it. Adrian

Hi, Just saying hello from one of the more light polluted city areas of Devon. I've had an vague interest in space since childhood, but never done much about it. Until now. Main hobby is scuba diving, which can be similarly challenging - especially with weather. Not much of a photographer, I tend towards the eye-based widescreen of life, but who knows, that could change here. Bye for now, Adrian

Thank you John. I wonder why they use glue, perhaps the grub screws are not enough. Hmm, have to be careful of the paint with the hot air gun. We'll see... Adrian

Good morning everyone, first post for me here so please bear with me if this is in the wrong area. I've just tried to use a recently purchased second hand tripod. Unfortunately the thread in the white aluminium(?) cone at the base of the main leg is stripped and thus the inner leg is barely held. Certainly not with the weight of the HEQ5 mount on. Tripod model is https://www.firstlightoptics.com/tripods/sky-watcher-heavy-duty-tripod-for-sky-tee-heq5-eq5.html With an aim to possible repairing the thread (either bigger bolt or Helicoil type), I thought I would remove the cone to have a look inside and at least clean out the swarf. All four grub screws have been removed, but the cone won't shift. Some gentle percussion with a rubber mallet did not shift it. I'm not yet at the point of putting it in boiling water as I can't even get the rubber foot off the inner leg. Does any one have any idea how this part comes off? Adrian