[alistairsam]

Hi All,

I finally made the jump to install a pier in my backyard, got sick of setting up and aligning everytime. So dug a hole, poured some concrete, embedded M20 x 300mm bolts and fixed a pier onto it.

I plan to leave the mount outside covered with a Large plastic Compost Bin that I saw in bunnings with the mount covered in tarp. So will keep just the OTA and camera indoors.

This is more of a temporary installation and I know it doesn't have the gussets like many do and its not as much concrete as others, but i'm not too fussed with how rigid it is, its temporary and my payload is only 11Kg on an NEQ6. so total about 30Kg max.

I ended up using about 5 1/2 bags of pre-mix, and kept it below ground level so it can be covered. I couldn't dig too deep so dug a bit wide, hole was 50cmx40cmx50cm deep.
I could break down the concrete if I have to. so kept it at the minimum.

I saw an ad in gumtree for some security Bollards, and thought that would suit perfectly. so contacted this company in south dandenong and he had a huge array of various sizes. I picked one that was 160mm in dia and had the foot plate already welded on. its made from 10mm Steel.

since I didn't have access to a lathe for an adaptor plate and neither did he, I sent him some drawings of a plate and adaptor plate with holes and a small pipe underneath that did not require a lathe. just welding.

so he did the whole thing with zinc plating for a very decent price and is happy to do similar ones if anyone's interested.

I used an M12 bolt to secure the mount from underneath and the knurled knob from the eyepiece holder of the mount to counter tighten it. works very well.
I just need to drill a hole and fix a bolt for the azimuth adjustment.

Fixed it up last night and its very sturdy.

can't wait to get the polar alignment done and start some imaging.

Cheers
Alistair