Hey Folks,
Just had to share with everyone. Back on Friday 17th I received in the mail a rather large cardboard box containing an 8" F5 Newt OTA ( Special from Andrews ) On Saturday 18th I fired up the Triton 2000 Workcentre to build a DOb style base for said scope - total cost of base about $22 ( 2x 100mm pvc drainpipe endcap & some furniture slides). I had some spare plywood laying around waiting to be used.
I paid my fees to the astronomy gods by having to wait for the cloud to clear and on Thursday night voila-clear skies.
What a difference aperture makes. Now I have to purchase some better eyepieces. Some Orions on the way ( slowly ).
A side bonus - one of the guys at work saw my scope arrive & was amazed at how little it cost me. He ordered one 3 days later!!!!