Good choice!
Treat yourself to a decent strap... it will make a world of difference.
Mine came from HK Tan.
As for the crown tube "problem"... just remember that you are dealing with a fine piece of precision-made machinery. Treat it with respect and you won't have a problem.. be brutal and ... well, you know what will happen.
So turn the crown anti-clockwise whilst pressing down gently... you will feel when the threads match... then turn it clockwise to screw it down. Easy!