After a couple of tries, I've finally settled on a solar filter/counterweight combination that I'm happy with. Check out these photos and the captions for more info.

An 8" off-axis mask for solar observations. I used the telescope today.
Great views.

Here's a "hand held" camera shot at the eyepiece of a 20mm TeleVue Plossl.
The circled area shows an extensive group of sun spots.

An enlarged view of the sunspots. Looking at the lower left sunspot,
you can clearly see the umbra and penumbra.

Telescope profile with counter-weight system for solar filter.
The dew shield has been removed.

Here you can clearly see the counterweights for the solar filter.
I usually use 1.25# weights. Three weights did the job.