7 inch MAK

Does anyone have experience removing the internal counterweight from a Meade 7" MAK?
I have three reasons to remove it; better cooling, lighter weight of the OTA on a German Equitorial mount, and to make room for a dampener to try and eliminate image shift. I'll have to invent that.

I also have a healthy reluctance to open a perfectly good OTA without a really good reason.

Thanks,
Steve

I have never done it myself, but there is a description
of the process at
http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=1170
It seems to involve hammering on he weight
alternately on opposite sides. Good luck!!