Wow Gary you're going all out!
Looks very cool, at this stage I am leaning towards a metallic maroon for the tube.
So here is my final set of pics, these show the little mount I've put together for the Argo Navis. Its based on a tiny
Slik tripod ball head that I've mounted to a homemade dovetail for a finder bracket. I've mounted the finder bracket to one of the tube rings as I'm still very reluctant to drill or screw anything into the beautiful wood. To attach the quick release plate to the argo holder I made a ply mounting plate stained to match the base.
Total cost: $29 (I had all parts except the ball head). The ball head is 100% aluminium, and I think its a bargain at $29.
This mount allows me to easily point the argo where it is best viewed, quickly and easily clamping it into place. Once clamped the unit is VERY solid. But it also allows me to both quickly release the argo for storage and leave the ball head behind; or remove the ball head too just leaving a finder bracket. The finder bracket also aims just between the focuser and existing finder so I can mount my laser or other finder on there if desired.
All up I'm happy, I don't really like the pole type argo mounts for small dobs, they just seem to take up much more space than needed and interrupt the smooth lines of the base. This mount allows me to easily hide it all away if I'm not using the argo, and its only one small piece to store.
Here are some dodgy iphone pics
Dave.