Double D, Thanks for the safety info, I will reduce the loads. Think I will try the sabot, using the patch can be a pain. Sometimes the ball will get off the patch, when loading, then I have a patch and a ball stuck. The axel on the carriage is 3"x4" steel tubing, rear hubs from a GM front wheel drive car fit right into the tube, with very little modification. The wheels are GM donut spares. Had a hard time finding two with the same tread design. The trail is 1 1/2"x3" steel tubing. Makes a very stout little carriage. The trunnions rest in 1" pillow blocks, don't like their looks, but they work well. The elevation screw is a small screw jack inside a steel box, with a 4" handwheel, works very smoothly. Hope you get your book back from the S.A. inspectors. I have some good friends just North of Capetown and in Hermanus, beautiful country. boomer