Let me first say this:   This instrument was made from one photo....   If I had the real thing in front of me or more photos you would have more exactness...  This microscope is an eye ball accurate approximation.. ;-)   Not a precise duplicate copy reproduction

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Tom, the microscope is looking good, though it's maybe styled a little older than I was thinking of.

This could have been remedied had you from the onset told me which type of microscope you wanted..  I sorry we did not communicate.

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*The slide-mount platform, the stage, looks a little thick and heavy, and maybe ought to have a larger hole.

The thinkness and the hole can be made different yes....  but I have seen other scope photos
(of the same time period)  and they are about the same size. The holes are about the width of a lenz.. no bigger,,,  The platform is suppose to be heavy...  maybe mine is just a tad thicker... 
remember these are old microscopes...

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Also, from my recollection of using mirror-type illumination, you have the spacing between the platform and base a little close, and the mirror looks too high, risking being in the shadow of the stage.

You are right about this,  I can do that with no problems...

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Now, the rack-and-pinion for focusing. The available movement is downward, and there's no clearance for that. It would depend on which lens you were using on the turret, but I think you need to adjust the mounting arm to get a bit more clearance.

There is plenty of movement available here...Up or down...    you may not see it but the scope is able go down more.  I'll have posted a pic for you....  you can see the scope is higher..

Meantime before I change anything, are you going to use this scope?  or are you looking for a more contemporary one..?  I only wished I could have known the style you wanted..

 

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