The side bearings on the Highe design I copied are actually attached to the two side poles, not the mirror box. The rear of the side bearings just sit up against the mirror box without being bolted to it.
So when you take out the poles from the mirror box, the side bearings come with them. You can slide the side bearings off the poles too if you want but I don't bother:
http://pw2.netcom.com/~ahighe/12_5ultra.html
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=38956
The attached photo is of a Plettstone scope. The side bearing is clamped to the pole in two places like mine and Albert's, but there is also a bolt running through into a wooden side piece on the mirror box for added strength. This means that when you take the scope apart, the poles are pulled out of the side bearings which stay attached to the mirror box.
In this design the whole relationship between the side bearings (2 layers, one slightly oversize to keep it in place), mirror box and rocker must be very precisely done as it all has to fit together just right to work.
If you use another design or attach the side bearings to the sides of the mirror box you can just use knobs and threaded inserts or T-nuts so you can take them on and off - or similar. Here's a couple with removable bearings:
http://www.stathis-firstlight.de/atm/
http://www.fiskemiles.com/buildinga2...e-finished.php
http://dobson.2005.googlepages.com/dobson300
3 bolts seem to be the norm. Some need allan keys or a spanner, but I like the idea of knobs with no tools to forget.
