Hi Peter. Hope your health is continuing to improve. Congratulations on your rig! Its capable of amazing performace for imaging or visual, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise - Newts are incredibly versatile, albeit a bit hefty and prone to wind issues at times.
Having said that, the guys that designed the crayford focuser must have been smoking something. Its a pretty good basic unit, but a PITA for 2" hardware at times.
I think you'll find these IIS threads valuable reading re your prime focus issues. I'm happily doing astrophotography through my standard focuser of same type but with a cut down adaptor. Other options described below (cutting OTA, longer screws, new focuser, ream focuser, etc).
Regards,
Rob
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...er+prime+focus
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=33290
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...er+prime+focus
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=61766