ATM Briefcase scope

[Bob Prabowo <BOB@bahana.co.id>]

Hi guys,

I built a truss tube telescope based on the plan in Berry-Kriege's book.
The scope is waiting for the mirror. In fact, everytime I look at it it
screams to me "Come on man, where is my mirror! Don't keep me in the
garage, I want to go out and have some fresh air!!!"

Anyway, now I'm thinking about making a really portable scope. Maybe a
kind of briefcase like 13" scope. 

Here's the specs:
1. the upper ring (not uper cage) must fit inside the mirror box. I'm
going to make it like Mel's.
2. The height of the mirror box must be lower than 20 cm (8")
3.the altitude bearings must be detachable/removeable. For
transportation I want to be able to remove the bearings from the side of
the mirror box and place it on top of the mirror box (above the upper
ring).
4. I want to be able to carry the whole OTA (the mirror box, with the u.
ring and alt. bearing, and the rocker box)  like carrying a briefcase.
The mirror will be kept in different case.

Now my questions:
1. can anybody direct me to a web site where I can get some inspiration
from?
2. will the "removable/detachable" altitude bearings be a problem (the
assembled scope won't be rigid enough)? 
3. what kind of attachment system should I use for the altitude
bearings, so that it can be easily removed (and set up) yet it's rigid
enough once the scope is set up?
4. I guess the scope wil be top heavy if I use  Nagler or Panoptic e.p
(which I don't have yet, but I have to put it into consideratiosn since
someday i will have at least one:-)), so spring counterweight like Major
Tom's scope has to be considered.

Thanks in advance,



Bob P. Sumitro
Jakarta, Indonesia

visit my still-under-construction astronomy and telescope making page:
http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Hall/2670/