I'm seriously thinking of getting a pier in my backyard for my G11. Nothing fancy but just something sturdy and level that I can stack the mount on and off quickly when setting up so I don't have to haul my tripod all over the place and level and polar align all over again.
I read a lot of stuff on these forums about DIY obs but I have a couple of questions as I don't know where to start really and this is new to me.
Where can I get and adapter to attach the G11 head on. Is it a standard Losmandy thing or I need to get it made? Or may be just a custom plate is the way to go? What's best?
Also is it best to get a steel pier pre-made or get the preform tube packing and pour concrete to make the column?
There is a pier extension you can get from Losmandy but as for home grown stuff, I've just gone through the process and fortunately a good friend is very handy with a welder.
I had a local engineering company look for an aluminium pipe the right diameter....no go...then looked for steel....still no go. There is a steel pipe with an outer diameter the same as the inner diameter of the losmandy pier. So in the end Adrian (my welder) got the pipe and a length 100mm wide bar and bent it around the pipe and welded that on. Looks great.
Here's the losmandy link. The Meade tripod adapters could be adapted
Actually I'm thinking of getting an adapter made up for mine to take an EQ6. I've already got one so I can mount a mead wedge onto a losmandy tripod (and kidding that didn't make a different to the meade) but it would be nice to have a spare losmandy pier out in the yard and if visitors turn up they could mount on the pier and not their rickety tripods.
I made myself a adapter out of 6mm steel pipe which had a inside diameter of exactly 140mm the same size minus a mmm, or there abouts and it worked a treat.
Picked up meter of the stuff at second hand scrap metal place, for the grand sum of only 20 bucks.
As for the pier itself it is best to get hold of a decent length of sewer pipe with a diameter of about 250mm, plonk it on you 600mm x 600mm footing and fill it with cement.
Make up a wooden template with four 1/2 inch bolts about 15 inches long bent into a hook shape at one end and push that down into the wet cement so the template rests on top of the 250mm pipe.
Let it cure for a least 7 days and presto one pier.
As you can see i just used two 3/4 inch Aluminium plates being 300mm x 300mm square.
Damn leon where did you get that pipe???? I could only get one with an OD of 140. If you've got any left or can get some give me a hoy, I'd definitely be interested
Thanks for all the tips so far guys. It's gold!
That looks like a pretty sweet setup you've got there Leon. Do you cover it when not in use or get the OTAs off your pier?
Ermmm..... I'll say it's a base for a new clothes line. I've got it all worked out mate. No worries. By the time the scope is on top it'll be too late?
Marc mate it lives in its little observatory, Just pull it closed when its all over for the night, man I would be there all night trying to take all that stuff off.
Marc mate it lives in its little observatory, Just pull it closed when its all over for the night, man I would be there all night trying to take all that stuff off.
Leon
Yeah that's what I thought. Too much wiring. Gotta work out a shed or panels to cover it during the day. Just big enough for the scope. Maybe a little roll-off box.
I'm seriously thinking of getting a pier in my backyard for my G11. Nothing fancy but just something sturdy and level that I can stack the mount on and off quickly when setting up so I don't have to haul my tripod all over the place and level and polar align all over again.
I read a lot of stuff on these forums about DIY obs but I have a couple of questions as I don't know where to start really and this is new to me.
Where can I get and adapter to attach the G11 head on. Is it a standard Losmandy thing or I need to get it made? Or may be just a custom plate is the way to go? What's best?
Also is it best to get a steel pier pre-made or get the preform tube packing and pour concrete to make the column?
Thanks for any tips.
Hi Marc
Can You dig a nice hole about two ft deep and about 18" square (convert this to metric if you like) and locate a piece of heavy guage pipe about 6" in diamter six ft long
I will machine all the necessary attachments for the G11 so it will be a drop on tighten the screws fit. In fact I think I will make three attachments so we can have use them up at Wiruna
Then we will set the pier in concrete in your yard. Are you sure you will be allowed to do this?
Thanks Barry! Sounds like a plan! If I tell her when you're next to me it should be ok. You're staying for dinner right?
I'll bring Elva along. They will be so busy talking they won't see what we are doing till its too late. Elva says to thank your wife for the excellent company last night.
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hope it is still there, how much would you be wanting mate.
) Woo hoo!!
