Now that spring seems is approaching (10 degrees Celcius today), I thought it would be good to do the usual spring-thing and put up a (new) dish.
The Gibertini seemed to be compatible with the Laminas tripod, so up it went.
It's not really pointing at anything, spent most of the time applying WD40, loosening and tightening bolts, and figuring out how best to use the adjustments on the mounting bracket.
Notice how the mounting bracket is too tall for the Laminas tripod - only the lower lip of the upper clamp actually has contact with the pole. Earlier this autumn, I was considering angle-grinding off the top 6 cm pipe to leave a 75mm pipe (the lower part), which works much better with Channel Master polar mounts. But I think the pole might be too low then to allow proper mounting of dishes.
There's always something in the way, isn't there?
I have also previously stated in this thread that this dish could go on the SMW polar mount; it is now clear that the design does NOT support this without radical (angle grinder) modification.
@Llew's back-plate is clearly different from mine.
Instead, my dish is looking more and more likely to be destined to be a fixed affair pointing at 28.5E. I am looking forward to find out how it performs this duty.
Perhaps in the next couple of spring days (whenever they may occur...)?