I agree with Cytan that a bronze insert would be ideal, but I also agree that stainless is better than aluminum. All it takes is one slipup with the aluminum threads and they are toast.

As for your predicament Carl, I am glad to hear that Astro-Physics is working on a solution.

Maybe I was looking at it wrong, or the angle of the camera distorted the view, but it looked in the picture that you sent like the shaft was cross threaded.

Mike