[Kunama]

Hard to believe that 15.7 kgs of brass and bronze in the first pic was hidden under the black paint somewhere, I was going to 'japan black' it but now I am not so sure, be a shame to hide it all, clear coat might be the answer! The cast iron RA axis shown in the middle picture and after some cleaning at right ready for painting.
THe more I dismantle this mount the more impressive it is, with bronze bushes on the RA and Dec axis pressed into a threaded brass sleeve which then fits into the carriers. The RA axis pivot bolts and lock bolts are also bronze and are beautifully shaped, they are the pinkish ones on the left of the first picture. The machine screws holding the brass plate onto the RA shaft are also nicely hand made.