[coldlegs (Stephen)]

Originally Posted by koputai

Pretty cool Stephen, heavy stuff!

A couple of things I've found after doing a similar project:
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=79998

1. Why not just mount the NEQ6 to the top of the pier and do away with the top adapter plate and the four adjustment bolts. These adjustments are not needed with the NEQ6/EQ6.

Agreed. Am thinking about one of those "owls nest" tops welded on top of the pier.

2. You may find your top plates are too big. I made mine 300x300x16mm and find that the scope and counterweight bar sometimes come awefully close to the top plate. At some stage they will hit.

Checked mine and can get about ten degrees past the meridian before things get tight.

3. The parts of the gussets that are outside the direct line between the edges of the top and bottom plates is superfluous. It adds no strength and gets in the way.

Have to disagree here as it's all about flexure not strength. I suspect the gussets would help.

Of course, I'm just being picky! Great job!

Cheers,
Jason.

Cheers Stephen