I am in need of some ideas for a new pier

[h0ughy]

OK I have the following ingredients, a space in the yard, a pole, a mount head extension for a tripod for a eq6:D , a cranky wife:scared: , and a stainless steel plate 10mm by 200 square? So how will I put this mess together?:shrug: :help:

[Shawn]

Sell the Stainless and buy a less cranky wife...:D ..seriously stainless is cool if you have the gear to use it,,,flick it its worth a few bob...and you will probably never use it, what grade of stainless, do you know ?...

[sheeny]

I hate to say it, hOughy, but I don't think the totem tennis pole is up to the task!:poke: :P

I would probably agree with Sir Dystic... unless you want to go all stainless, I'd probably skip it.

The pole (the real pole, not the totem tennis!) is what diameter? and how does that compare to the mount head? I see the pole has a base plate on it...

'Scuse my ignorance, I'm not sure I know how the mount head is to work... I assume the first photo shows the bottom, and th second shows the machined face that engages the scope mount. Does the outer sleeve (looks like its held on with screws) slide off? Perhaps if you can explain that part I can offer something???

Of course, the bigger the diameter of the pole the better... rigidity is proportional to the 4th power of the radius (or diameter).

Al.

[Adrian-H]

i allso thought about using the extention tube to make a peir,

the problem i came up with though is i have a heq5-Pro and the extention tube is built for the eq6 so i put my idea's down the drain,

im sure it will work out good for you since you have a eq6, goodluck to you.

[h0ughy]

the stainless steel part came from another project I had a few years ago and since I already have it I will use it. Yep the screws do hold the bottom plate on the extension, but that allows access to the screw thread and knob on the inside to attach the mount head to it. the pole is 100mm with a wall thickness of 4mm, thicker than the pier mount attachment. I will be of course cutting the pole if to suit but at this stage I am trying to work out the best possible combination to achieve the goal. if I had fins on the exterior to the pole would that stabilise it?

[h0ughy]

can you expand on the 4th power bit:shrug: , and the totem tennis pole is out of bounds:lol:

[sheeny]

The 4th power bit...

if you double the diameter, the stiffness/rigidity will increase by a factor of 2x2x2x2 = 2 to the power of 4 i.e. 16 times!

Yes, stiffeners (longitudinal fins) around the outside will stiffen it, but not as much as changing diameter. It depends on sizes and number of fins, etc.

Al.

[sheeny]

I think I'm getting an idea of how it works... (but I could be wrong!:lol: )

So, if you undo the screws holding the bottom plate into the extension, can it be completely separated? If so, if the bottom plate is a bigger diameter than the pole (and possibly even if it isn't) you could weld the bottom plate to your pole to make the pier, or replace the bottom plate with another one that us welded to the pole (thus allowing you to sell the extension later if you want)?

Am I on the right track or still missing something?

Al.

[h0ughy]

sort of right, allows for a bit of flexibility later, if I decide to resurrect the lx200 drive and wedge, I was only going to bolt the adapter plate to the baseplate rather than weld it, in case I wish to sell it later but I might just think about welding it now you metion it;)

[gbeal]

Looks too hard mate. What height do you want/need. I would start again, using a wooden fence post. Easier to use for starters. Stainless is cool, but darn hard on the sense of humour. Once you have the height above ground, and the hole in the ground, this will give you the post length. The mounting plate is a good move though. I used steel water pipe, about 150mm diameter, and about 5mm thick, one short one (650mm) in the ground semi-permenant, the other about 800mm on a tripod with wheels, a rolling pier if you like. The mount fits on either, and gives me flexibility in where I put it.

[EzyStyles]

hey houghy, im quite sure that you can get a proper pier for the EQ6 instead of the tripod legs. I think they are roughly $200-$300. Not at permanent pier, the upside down umbrella type.

[Striker]

I would be going with a bigger pier Houghy....but thats just me I would rather be too big then too small.

And NO you cant have my pier which is designed for an EQ6 mount head...lol

[h0ughy]

why not your not using it! Make me one!;) :D

[h0ughy]

ihad thought of that, but i am still exploring options:thumbsup:

[Shawn]

Houghy ...Ill post some pics of the one Im building soon as soon as I get the glue off my fingers enough to safely handle the 350...LOL,, Triangles AAAARRRGGHHHH.... yes see my othe thread DIY youll see...

[Shawn]

Hi Again Houghy,,,what grade of stainless is it you want to use, ignoring the advice of folk who know the difficulties of working with it. its 3xx ,,,316 304 309 ???,,,I will be able to help with how to deal with this fabulous but awkward material if you insist on using it...

[h0ughy]

its only a one off plate - 316 - so it wont be a problem, only bolts will be used

[Shawn]

316 is ok to work with, if your only bolting , you said it was square,,Im thinking plasma cutting etc...if your drilling holes ,,,keep rpm down ,,,lots of coolant, water will do but oil you tools after... 316 work hardens really quickly, you can melt a drill in the stuff,,,really Im not kidding, Im a machinist/ toolmaker/ fitter/ boilermaker/ whatever pays the bills LOL..

S

[h0ughy]

thanks for the information Mr dystic

[Shawn]

Sir to you Houghy...rule of thumb stainless,,,sharp tools low revs and coolant. Some of the stuff ive made from 316 marine grade,, when you screw up its expensive in material and tooling..remember this when your trying to drill thru 10mm plate with your cordless...LOL

[Shawn]

STAINLESS HATES HEAT, simple as that. look foward to seeing what you build



S

[h0ughy]

So am I;)

[springarchie]

Hi houghy

I found this on another forum:

<quote>
The standard tripod and GEM head can be strengthed considerably by
adding a plywood spreader tray and by replacing the stock altitude and
azimuth adjuster bolts. See some images here bottom 1/3 of the page):

http://www.sfu.ca/%7Edmunro/astrophotography.html

These inexpensive modifications will really make a difference!
<end quote>

In conjunction with three small concrete (or block) piers in the ground this makes a very stable platform. The three bell shaped piers (about 200mm dia, 600mm deep but increase this depending on soil type and stability) are set to location of the legs of the tripod. I suggest that you use the tripod with the legs retracted, as in the above photo. They should be horizontal (!) and aligned to the SCP so that setup is easy. You can then use anti-vibration pads on the top of these piers or set three small indentations for the pimples on the legs of the tripod. Since the piers are not engaged there is little vibration from walking around.

Later on, when finance is approved, you can add a roll off shed and the rest of the concrete.

If you want to use the permanent pier then the above link shows a great stabilization method using stainless stell wire and tighteners, available from most boat shops.

Cheers

[h0ughy]

Hi and :welcome: to IIS. How'd you find it first of all, second I like what you did to your mount. Thanks for the information and the ideas:thumbsup:

[springarchie]

It was on the EQ6 yahoo forum.

[beren]

What about an adaptor plate that would hook up your EQ6 to your Meade Giant field tripod http://www.astrokits.com/

[h0ughy]

I had thought of that but that tripod is very large (as you know) the travel setup will suffice, but for the observatory the pier is the go

[Astroman]

cut two of the legs off it then :P

[h0ughy]

Listen O' one with "pier and no mount", I'll cut your legs off!!!:P how about I give you the adapter and you give me your pier:D :P :poke: remember I have two (2) (II) EQ6's;)

[gbeal]

Hmmm, didn't take that too well did he??

[h0ughy]

Andrews comment was Ok, actually quite funny. Its the look on his face when he realises that Paramount ME he ordered gets delivered East!

[Astroman]

HAHA! shhhhhhhh

I will draw a pic of what I have in mind david, can you supply an edge on image of the top bit of the extender that goes onto the eq6 without the extender pipe attached? also what is the diameter of the bit that attaches to the eq6? should be around 190mm or 188mm or so from memory. Also the diameter of the bit that goes into the extender pipe.

geez dont want much do I. Just working on an idea that requires very little metal work for you. Part of which we have already discussed.

[h0ughy]

I will check that out tonight and pass the info on, Thanks Andrew!

[Shawn]

What a hoot you guys,,,got an ultra wedge and a super giant goin cheap..LOL...

[Astroman]

Okay here is a rough sketch of what I was thinking David.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~astroman02/houghyspier.jpg [1.2mb]

[h0ughy]

Yes I have one too!:P

[h0ughy]

Thanks for that, a lot of thought went into that drawing. Will be investigating the options with that method too.

[h0ughy]

http://www.astromart.com/classifieds/details.asp?classified_id=448192 this is the future, just came across this for sale on astromart, it is a Meade 12" on an eq6. this is my destiny!

[Shawn]

do you want to sell yours too,, great for the tomatos, saves a lot of fuss with stakes and wire...:D ..

[Astroman]

12" on EQ6 WOW! pretty good.

[h0ughy]

the future (or the distant past) will be looking bright;) :lol: