[erick (Eric)]

So your scope has balls! Well done - and different!

Yes, Kev, I've previously noticed this as a weak part of these designs. I cleaned up the large metal washer (lots of screw marks chewed into it) and glued it to the plastic holder. Then I filed and emery paper'd the screw ends to a nice square, flat, shiny finish. That improved matters.

Of course, the whole concept of tilting the secondary so far away from the mirror surface itself is flawed! The secondary doesn't just tilt, it moves away from the axis somewhat. I have seen more complicated designs where the pivot point is very close to the back of the secondary. Then there is no room for a secondary heater in touch with the mirror surface.