I sent the following post to Patrick and Doug earlier. As it seems to be
an ongoing problem, I'll send the same post along to the group in general.
It is rather long winded hence my hesitation to send it group wide...but
here goes anyway.



We have an 8" and a 12" LX200. I also realize and am aware of the exact
problem you are discussing. It is very easy to strip the threads.

What we do, and I'll describe the 8" as they have the same tripod as the
10".

Set out the tripod, spread the legs, bring the spreader bar up against the
legs and give it a bit of a jerk upwards. This will space the legs all
120° apart. Now mount the scope to the tripod and THEN level the system
using either the small bubble level installed or your own separate level.
If you level the tripod first, then your legs will get out of whack again.

Option 1: If you want to level the tripod before mounting the scope. Got
to the hardware store and get a washer that will fit the threaded rod and
is larger than the hole it passes through on the top of the tripod. Also,
get a wingnut of suitable size to fit the threaded rod.
Spread the tripod legs as above, then put the washer on and use the wingnut
to tighten the spreader against the legs. Now you can move the tripod
anywhere you want to carry it, get it level, orient the legs N/S/E/W as you
desire. When you get the tripod level and the legs oriented as you wish,
remove the wing nut and install the telescope.

Option 2: With our 8", we went to the MAPUG website and got into Ed
Stewart's modifications page. I built a "Stewart Sled" and we take the 8"
outside the house in one piece with the scope/tripod assembled.
Unfortunately, due to a narrow door and two tight turns, we cannot leave
the tripod fully expanded. I sled with a base 2' wide and 2' of center
member of the triangle also 2' long. This configuration does not allow me
to keep the spreader bar tightened, because the legs are not fully spread
out. I got two nuts and a washer for the threaded rod. I removed the rod
from the tripod and screwed on the nut/nutwasher (with the washer on top)
and screwed them down close to the spreader. We then set up the
tripod/scope and tightened the spreader bar just as in a normal setup. I
then moved the loosened the nuts and washer and slid the washer up close to
but not touching the base of the top of the tripod (1/4"), screwed one nut
up then the second, I tightened the two nuts against each other as a lock
nut. Now, when we are finished for the evening, I loosen threaded rod just
enough to rotate the spreader bar clear of the legs. I then tighten the
threaded rod back up and the washer/locknuts hold the scope head in place.
The tripod legs can then be placed into the triangular "sled", bungee cords
over the tether bars at the base of the legs hold each leg into the nesting
holes in the sled slide up the warehouse truck and in the house it goes.

ScopeSaver table. This gives you a larger mounting place to set the scope
head on and little bump registers so you know where to center the scope for
alignment to the threaded rod. It comes with a washer and wing nut for
getting the legs spread right, also includes a "T" level for leveling the
tripod. We use this on the 12" as I prefer to have the tripod level before
mounting the scope...too much weight to go tilting over one leg at the
time. You can also make your own ScopeSaver table. Plans are available in
the saem area as the Stewart Sled.

I told you this may get long winded.

Good Luck.

John & Bobbie Hilliard

"The Stars are God's dreams,
Thoughts remembered in the silence of the night."
H.D. Thoreau

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