Doc

I used to have the Losmandy AZ8 mounted on a barlebach Planet tripod, it took the weight of a Skywatcher 120ED Esprit which is not a light scope by any means and I would imagine heavier then the 140mm TEC. I only sold it because I made my own clones of the TTS Panther and DiscMount. 

The AZ8 is very well machined and once balanced very smooth, the slow motion controls are very nice, even the degree scales work and are accurate.

Oh sorry I should have answered this, for some reason I didn't see the post.

10 minutes ago, GlenM said:

A well machined APM correct image 2" prism diagonal.

I have one Glen and it's pretty awesome, you will love it.

While I was making the mount, I pm'd Peter a few times and he talked about his design, my design was basically a clone of the Panther Mount, you can see the build thread here:

https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/307728-my-new-diy-altaz-mount-a-panther-clone/

I met Peter once at Kelling many many years ago.

There are some great telescope set up here, I really like Fozzie's one, so elegent.

Here's mine:

The best set up is the one you use so maybe sell your kit and invest in another 8SE. After all from a light polluted Essex there is not a lot of difference between 8" and 9.25".

If you were out all the time with your old 8SE and now struggle with an EQ mount which by the way many people do, I know what I would do.

Yes Ben that's the one.

1 hour ago, Woolf1q said:

I have a binocular but I dont know what model it is. In the side of the binocular it said MADE IN R.S which leads me to think its made in russia. There is also a soviet union logo on it. At the lens I can see a RUSSIA 52M the lens is blue and red. It is stored in a leather case. Anyone knows what it is and whats its value?

Photos would help.

A 30mm Clave eyepiece

Can't wait for your report, I've always wanted to try one of these.

12 minutes ago, iPeace said:

I keep looking at these; very much inclined to try one for visual.

I do too, the price is good as well.

Nice buy Neil.

A darkstar dob was the first dob I ever had way back in 1984 I think. It was a great dob, 8" I think. I changed it for a 10" Hardin dob.

Really looking forward to the report John. Fingers crossed for a week of clear skies.

One question John concerning the dewshield. How does it stay where you put it, is it via thumbscrews or is the fit so precise it just doesn't move back?

Very nice read Richard really enjoyed it.

Great scope and it looks well built.

I set up tonight in my back garden. Just waiting for darkness, could be a long wait 

Took a photo of mine. As I said before for the price I think I paid about £20 each they are pretty much a bargain.

All are Zeiss.

Back row: x5, x7 (plus adapter), K15x. Front row: K10x, x10, x10 (with pointer)

I have a small collection of Zeiss microscope eyepieces that I sometimes use. They are a weird size and I have turned numerous adapters so they fit in my focuser. They are very good, very sharp on axis but a little fuzzy at the edges. Not as good as my Claves but as good a many plossl's I've tried. I'm not near mine at the moment they are hidden in the shed but they are not modern microscope eyepieces, these are the much older types, maybe 1970's. They are marked x6.3, x10, and x15 I think.

11 minutes ago, Alan White said:

Doc, that's a nice box and and excellent use.
Will look wonderful once done.
Perhaps some baize or similar within to pad it?

I'm thinking that to Alan. Maybe some of that egg crate foam for under the lid, once closed it will secure the eyepieces.

Bought this old wooden box, as you can see it has a lift out tray which will have holes drilled in so I can put my new eyepieces in. Lots of spare room underneath for all your accesorries you collect.

What a scope I would love to have this. And being number 001 even more special.

Wow Joe what a fantastic job you must have had, I'm pretty envious. Also a lovely scope and great colour scheme, I really like the pier it sits on. What is soft coated can you explain this please?

1 minute ago, Alan White said:

Looks like a Rocket with a silo cover over, so RocketMount

I like it Alan, you are the winner so far 

6 minutes ago, JeremyS said:

That's a wonderful mount, Doc. Looks really sturdy and stable.

Sorry to ask, by what's in the small wooden box on the edge of your patio?

It's a hedgehog feeding house Jeremy I built it a few months ago. It's got a few compartments in for food and a corner where it can sleep. We get three regular hedgehogs that come into the garden.