Serge - thank you for the tips on determining encoder resolution. Also, it's good to know the "home" position for the NexusII. Typically, I'll turn it on and it will think up is down until I actually align on some stars - it will help to have a starting position close to reality.?
I may try some heat-shrink tubing on the stainless shafts - it looks like the design has some spring-loading that should accomodate the slightly larger diameter from the plastic.?
For the nylon screws, it makes sense that they'd make a 3-point contact surface for a tripod head. However, my tripod plate is skeletonized, and the protruding screws did not play nice with the holes in the plate :).?
