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Subject: Re: [M]: Re: LX200 newbie
From: Gene J Ducote
Reply To: mapug@shore.net
Date: Tue Nov 25 02:48:16 1997

Ric,

Re your msg: 22-Nov-97 23:22:05 MsgID: MC2-2947-3237

>At one point, I built up a standard wedge from the basic design of
>the Super Wedge...<remainder snipped by Gene Ducote>

Many thanks for that wonderfully CLEAR wording on your modifications to the
standard wedge. Your mods are certainly more than I had contemplated but I
was thinking basically along those lines--you helped me visualize better!

I was getting frustrated with the difficulty of getting/maintaining
pointing accuracy with the wedge--the (standard) wedge was removed this
weekend and examined closely for defects and I must admit that for other
than a slight (VERY slight) warp(?) of the base plate AND a circular bubble
level that is off from "true" level (as compared to a 24" carpenter's
aluminum level) of approx 1/8th bubble, I didn't find any significant
"shouldn't be" condition---I did find some "casting bumps" on the tripod
head rim which were *large* (or so it seemed), so I filed those/that down
very carefully and rechecked with the carpenter's level.

All things considered, the "levelling" anomalies probably are/were
insignificant (in retrospect) as the level aspect only helps (I think!)
with atmospheric refraction correction when near the horizon---I am not
able to view near the horizon in any direction due to trees and buildings
so my pointing inaccuracy MUST have been due to my errors when doing the
"drift method".

I still will attempt some structural "beefing-up" of the standard wedge
(utilizing some of your ideas also) but if'n it 'don't' work out, "Hello,
Mr. Milburn wedge!"

Looked at your website--like your thrust-bearing ideas (but dunno if I want
to go that far)---.

Anyways, thanks again for the help---really do appreciate it.

Best regards,
Gene Ducote (Charleston, SC)