"Chris Taylor" wrote in message
...
My comments:
As the orientation adjustment is controlled only by point 'c' - Have you
considered placing some kind of a raised hinge between points A and B on
both plates. This would remove your concern regarding the secure
attachment?
The Meade wedge uses a hinge which I was trying to avoid because I'm not
convinced you can remove all the play from it. I imagine one can come pretty
close using metal in plastic and slight interference fits, but it's almost
completely outside my experience - certainly for something as heavy as a
telescope.

How are plates S and T secured to the scope and tripod?
One plate would have a hole through the middle and a screw to bolt it to the
telescope base, the other would have a nut fitted to it so the tripod could
be bolted to it. Once attached, there shouldn't be any need to remove the
plates so as long as they don't twist, there doesn't seem to be much to do
in this regard.

Also; when operating in equatorial alignment, with the scope tilted, is it
possible that the the shift in center of gravity may impact on the overall
stability of the tripod and scope arrangement?
The two plates comprising the wedge would be offset so that the centre of
gravity of the scope would still be (roughly) above the centre of the
tripod. The extra height would be detrimental to stability, but that happens
on the Meade wedge anyway. I have considered using concentric spheres which
would also obviate the need for a wedge altogether - and the Meade tripod,
since it could have its own support - but the machining involved is outside
the realm of what our machines at work are capable of, elegant though the
solution would be. There is still the possibility of using some sort of
gimbal mount. I'll sleep on it for a few months (I do my best thinking
asleep).

Thanks for sending the drawing, I now have a better understanding of the
concept.
You're welcome. Thank you for circulating it more widely. When I find time,
I'll try to get a sketch of the wedge arrangement sorted out. The plates
design doesn't affect that greatly.

Grim