The new scope is somewhat longer than my other ones so the Takahashi EM400 tripod needed a little more height for the scope to clear the legs......
After an hour on the lathe, a half metre of solid 30mm Ø aluminium became 6 pieces at 70mm which were then bored through for 8mm cap screws.... then onto the spin polisher for a bit of bling
The tripod adapter was chucked on the lathe next and a 3mm flange became a pile of shiny shavings on the floor....
After a few minutes bolting it together the scope clears the tripod legs with room to spare
The OTA also received a new carbon fibre handle to make the thing more manageable
