[Chaos-l] Cutting your scope down to size

[Zekers!]

Hi folks,
My first steps into astronomy were just a couple of years ago. While I've been a chaos member for a while, I haven't
been able to attend many meetings and have only made it to a couple of chaos observing sessions. So most of you probably
don't know me. I have one scope - an 8 inch dob which is a lot of fun. I've even flown it across country once. That was
a mistake. Good for car, bad for plane.

I'm looking for a travel scope and would like a refractor. I've pondered the 4 and 5 inch APO's until financial reality
sets in. Next in line are "ED" scopes now available. They're in my price range but they're still too long for easy
travel ~36 inches. Recently I read about the Borg 101ED scope. Still pricey for me. But the scope unscrews into two
pieces! Such a cool idea!

So why not pick up an ED in my price range and cut it in half? Take the tube to a machine shop for a clean cut and then
insert a locking or screw flange into the adjoining ends. Fashion some end caps and wallaa! - an expandable shorty!

Any thoughts?

The alternative for now is an Orion Mak 127.

Thanks in advance for your comments,
Zeke Zecca