I just wanted to pass this along.  I saw this in another post and thought it deserved a little more support.  In setting up my AP 1600, I found the following tool extremely convenient.  I use it to untighten and tighten things up just about everywhere on the mount where it is needed.  AP supplies a good set of Allen wrenches, but for this common size bolt, the boltdriver really works better.  You may want to get the smaller shank version but this one works really well for me.  

Bondhus 3710 Extra Long 3/16" Ball End Screwdriver with ProGuard Finish (New).

It is about $8 on Amazon. 

I also used the level for daytime alignment and it works great.  Finally I see that the digital angle measurement device is good as a poor mans rotator.

Are there any other useful tools people have around the base of the mount?

Thanks

 

For a “Micrometer accurate” Bubble level, I filled a one-inch diameter, about 12 inch long laboratory pipette, with water (or liquor for winter use, if you like), and stopper both ends . It is the perfect long length water level, with perfectly flat (glass or in my case, plastic tube) sides, already graduated with printed “precise” millimeter (or actually milliliter) markings along its full length. I fill it with enough fluid to leave an air bubble size of my choice.

I found it handy when I wondered if my AP-1200 shifted “at all”, during a meridian flip with a 90 lb scope on it. The precision of the air bubble drift path of about 12 inches, was way superior, to the $300 machinist bubble I first purchased (and returned) at a pro machinists supply store.

So if you want to so much as sense a distant earth quake in progress, get yourself an inexpensive pipette. I paid one dollar at a surplus store. In my application, there is no more precise bubble level anywhere.

Hope the DIY Bubble Level photo got through.
Joe Z.

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