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Update...
The track had turned up last week but it was at the Post Office..I expected it to go to the Rural Agents so asking there was useless...usually large items come via courier and go to the Rural Agent..I don't track so I never noticed the shipping method and did not enquire until the vendor advised it had arrived..they did not say where leaving the opportunity for me to make a false assumption.
Anyways got it home and inspected it and after much thought have figured how to include it in the mix..It needs another timber rail ( or replace the timber rail with a steel box section) happily I have another similar piece of timber...not only will it support the new track but will add strength which was why I was thinking of replacing the current timber section with steel...so it has worked itself out and I dont have to buy and fit a roof rack..which I am very happy about...also this approach will allow fitting guide wheels which up until now were only on the outter section of the roof as there was no room wherecthey really should go...now all will be close to conventional.
I have not heard from my assistant since I said I wanted to add another pier...it is not a nice job but I don't mind as I lay on my belly under the floor which funny is much better than the agony of standing.
So I have decided to put in the pier but not rush it..I have bought the star pickets and later today will buy a welder as I am going to make a frame that would support everything even before adding concrete.
I have placed the old EQ6 with the eight inch where the pier will go and it will fit perfect...I plan on a box section below floor level as I can remove the old form work from the first pier and use it for this new pier..may have to shorten it but it is square and fits between the floor bearers...above floor level I am going to use a large plastic bucket, which strangely gives me a perfect height...I have had the bucket in place with the steel mount carriers and it will all be so simple.
I have decided to remove the old winch motors as they will never be used again as with all the work on the roof and the carrier rails to get it as good as it could be now means I can push it by hand..so if I have a motor problem I can still close and therefore get rid of the old motors and the cabling and repurpose all that stuff...maybe a 4wd winch on the red car...I have an xtrail which I may add a crane so the winches will see use somewhere...
But the exciting thing is a couple of nights ago I was able to give the whole set up a real run..open for imaging that is...all worked perfect and I probably don't even need this additional track and wheels but as I paid for it I will still go ahead...And when the clouds came in..as they do when you get everything running and stop for a coffee...I did not even get upset when I saw white screen I just switched everything down via the Asiair plus and pushed the remote and thought to myself ..how good it that...
And I have had a good look at the old eight inch and have decided that with a ZWO EAF the focuser will be ok...so I will buy a ZWO harmonic mount and .camera and filters and wheel and put off buying a scope as the eight should work well.
So not much happening but making forward progress...as I said I will buy a welder and make a stronger set up than before and also weld the bolts to the frame...
But my experience equips me to offer advice on the easiest way to control a roof off roof and perhaps the best way to make a pier...but being old no one listens..which saves me time explaining..life is good.
Alex
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