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Hi,
I have a wooden pier in my obs. Originally made it as a temporary structure to sort out the variables of height and stability, but it has worked well, so has been temporary for about 4 years. May still replace it with a steel pier in the future, but I see PE and camera issues as more obvious causes of instability than the pier. I realign the mount after each wet season, and it remains OK for the rest of the year.
It is made of 3 pieces of 4x4 treated pine (only had 3 pieces when I built it) with 17mm ply to join them together. The top of the pier is 2 thicknesses of 17mm ply, and the base is 50mm hardwood, which is bolted to a concrete pier at the deck level of the obs. The upright timbers are braced to the base by 6mm steel brackets. The deck is isolated from the pier to avoid vibration issues.
Haven't painted or treated the timber in any way, but it is in the obs, so doesn't get wet. Humidity has been more of an issue for scopes than the mount or pier. It is probably less stable than steel or concrete, but you can easily screw into it to mount eyepiece holders, powerboards etc.
Can supply photos if you are interested.
David.
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