Is it possible to stiffen a variable height pier?

[h0ughy (David)]

OK I have a wobbly pier, probably under a lighter load it may be OK, but I have pushed it past it's limit. So is there a way I could stiffen it in situ?

[sheeny (Al)]

Is it wobbly because it's a variable height pier or do you think it would still be wobbly if the top and bottom halves were solidly connected?


If you are happy with the height and don't need to adjust the height any more, then the likely source of the wobble (the adjustable height mechanism) can be stiffened by a solid connection between the top and bottom. How you go about that depends on where you work on the agricultural/sophisticated scale.


It looks like aluminium in the photos, is it? How thick are the walls?


Al.

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by sheeny

Is it wobbly because it's a variable height pier or do you think it would still be wobbly if the top and bottom halves were solidly connected?


If you are happy with the height and don't need to adjust the height any more, then the likely source of the wobble (the adjustable height mechanism) can be stiffened by a solid connection between the top and bottom. How you go about that depends on where you work on the agricultural/sophisticated scale.


It looks like aluminium in the photos, is it? How thick are the walls?


Al.

Well I would say that's not that thick unlike the owner

http://piertechinc.com/telescope-piers/pier-tech-2/ it's very similar to this.

[OICURMT]

I would try the following as a test.

1. Build a wood cage to go around the peir below the upper portion.
2. Tighen it down so that the four sides are a solid friction fit.
3. Lower the upper portion so that it compresses the cage you build, which should make it solid against the lower portion.

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by OICURMT

I would try the following as a test.

1. Build a wood cage to go around the peir below the upper portion.
2. Tighen it down so that the four sides are a solid friction fit.
3. Lower the upper portion so that it compresses the cage you build, which should make it solid against the lower portion.

OK that sounds like a plan

[xelasnave]

You could fill it with concrete which you cant come back from but I feel would make it rock solid..or..you could fill it with builders foam...I am confident that would make it very steady and it can be removed if you need to relocate again.
Alex

[h0ughy (David)]

Well I no longer have to pursue this process. Will have a huge new Christmas present pier

[xelasnave]

Well that is good..there is little point in having a great mount, scope camera and processing software if you are on an unsteady mount...well $30 of builders foam would get you thru to christmas...mmm my grandfather's name was Christmas..but they called him Chris...
Very happy with my pier given its home made but a little spin off is it is cool going into the ground in shade and so I blow the electric fan on it which seems to help significantly to reduce the temp.
Merry Christmas.
Alex