Finally finished. Summary of mods:
1. GEM removed from scope and retired.
2. Replacement dob mount fabricated from scrap timber, 300mm lazy susan bearing for the azimuth bearing and 150mm PVC pipe endcaps riding on felt floor protectors for the altitude bearing.
3. Tasco optical finder retired and replaced by a red dot finder from Andrews Coms.
4. 0.965" focuser replaced with a spare 1.25" Celestron unit. Focuser body and drawtube both shortened 10-15mm to provide correct focuser travel.
5, Tasco optical tube interior flocked and baffled. All exposed nuts/bolts, secondary spider etc blackened.
6. Tube exterior covered with patterned cloth and coated in clear gloss finish.
7. Tube end rings repainted.
8. Optics cleaned and recollimated.
9. Old attache case fitted with cut packing foam to hold star charts and 4 WA LER eyepieces.
Weather has been unsuitable for observing. What little star testing I have done indicates it should be quite suitable for beginer use.
Eyepiece height/angle is OK for seated adult use. Sub teenage kids could use standing.
It has been a fun project
