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Jason,
As well as being able to swap the pier extension (steel pipe section), I was able to lift the telescope by using the arrangement shown in the attached picture. It is very sturdy, and doesn't compromise the rigidity of the pier. the four threaded bolts are 3/4", and the fixed wedge base plate is 20 mm thick (Aluminium - to keep thermal mass down). This arrangement also provides a handy cubby hole for bits and pieces. It would be easy to shorten the bolts back, or use slightly longer ones if necessary, but this would also depend on the mass of the mount/scope.
For what it's worth, the top plate of the red pier is 820 mm above floor level, and the top of the base of the wedge (where the controller is resting) is 990 mm above floor level.
When observing, I nearly always use my adjustable observing stool (sold by Bintel), and for me, the comfortable range of eye piece heights achievable from the stool is 1040 mm (min) to 1640 (max).
If I were you and were contemplating visual observing, I would work out the range of eyepiece heights (for the scope and mount of choice), and then make the pier to suit. As others have noted, you don't want to be dragging yourself on the floor or have the EP so high that you unnecessarily need steps. There is no magic answer, but I've seen quite a few designs at around the 1200 mm mark.
Chris
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