Permanent pier supplier, Melbourne

[Stevaus]

Hi all
I'm building an observatory on the Mornington Peninsula, Vic. I plan to have the pier bolted to concrete foundation isolated from a synthetic deck inside a 3m Scopedome. Any recommendations for a good supplier for a steel or aluminium pier?

- I haven't calculated the required height yet, the top of the foundation will be level with the deck (but isolated)
- ideally a 10 inch dia, it needs to support an AP1600GTO mount, I have a 10 inch AP flat surface adapter.


Suggestions welcome! :)

[jamespierce]

From memory I think the ScopeDome guys have a good contact.

[FrancoRodriguez]

I got mine from Pier One in Brisbane. It's a pretty solid mount. He's very slow to make them but they're a quality pier.

[AstroApprentice]

Hi Steve,
You could always buy a pipe and have base/top plates welded on. I know a cheap, but good welder in Rye.
Plus pipes come up on eBay from time to time e.g. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Steel-pipe-355-dia-x-9-5wt/264722358129?hash=item3da2ae9f71:g: ngsAAOSwsNZeslYJ

[LostInSp_ce]

I agree Steve if you can weld or know someone who can its much cheaper to do it yourself with a bit of pipe and two plates. If not then find a local fabricator to whip one up from leftovers for you. Here's mine, it's a bit of gas pipe welded to two plates. Then used some 200mm aluminium off cut as an adapter/extender which can be easily switched out to accommodate any future mount upgrades. Anyhow just food for thought. Good luck.

[Stevaus]

Thanks James, I got some good ideas from Steve M

[Stevaus]

Thanks Franco, Jason & LostInSp_ce (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/member.php?u=22837), Diego at Sidereal trading is offering to fabricate a pier. Unfortunately I am not a welder! Agree this should be a simple task for a fabricator, I've also found a good one nearby, so have a few options now.