I have been missing those sporadic clear nights because it takes hours to setup the 14" SCT and associated equipment. I built a large pier for my roll off roof observatory which was suppose to be started and completed over Christmas 2013, however those planned have been postponed, though the large pier is in place, it's far too high to use without the observatory.
Fossicking around the shed looking for an alternative, I grabbed an old decommissioned oxy cylinder, mounted some bent flat steel as an anchor, drilled 4x6.5.mm holes in the top if the cylinder, tapped threads 8mm, grabbed some steel stock 200x200x10mm for top and bottom plates, used stainless steel 150x13mm coach bolts, nuts, washers.
The pier is rock solid despite the minimal base anchoring. Placed my cheap 102mm scope and the Coronado 40mm for the photos.
Now just have to wait for some of those sporadic clear nights to appear again.
Added photo of my large pier.
Regards
Chris
Last edited by astrovic; 09-09-2014 at 05:47 PM.
Reason: Schpelling error
