Paul,
The Bob's knobs are easy to use, just follow the instructions carefully.
I don't think palying with collimation to much is a good thing. I have only adjusted mine twice in a year.
Tell me why did you get a 3x barlow?
That will get you a lot of mag, I doubt unless you are very lucky to get seeing that will warrant such high power.
I do not have a barlow and my shortest focal length eyepiece is 8.8mm. Gives me as you 284x.
I find i dont even use this eyepiece much.
I find my 16mm at 159x and my 12mm at 212x is plenty.
Mind you i live in a very poor seeing area.
So with a 3x barlow you get a FL 7620!!!!
If you seeing is good you could use eyepieces down to 15mm FL.
That would give you 508x.
Good luck with all this and happy viewing.
Best.