Existing slab

[ChrisM]

Originally Posted by Octane

The missus has given me the go ahead to use the whole slab and build an observatory. I said I'd look into that later.

H

Some might say not to leave it too much later!

[Octane (Humayun)]

Lol, Chris. Thankfully, she's very supportive of my hobby. I've been spending a lot of time in the lounge lately (remote desktop to observatory computer) and she hasn't complained. Maybe it's building?

We've been married 3 months. Setting low expectations. What could possibly go wrong?

H

[ZeroID (Brent)]

Flowers are always good to keep it from going wrong ..

[el_draco (Rom)]

Originally Posted by Octane

We've been married 3 months. Setting low expectations. What could possibly go wrong?

H

Mate....
MATE !!!,
MATE!!!!
...NEVER, EVER, SAY THAT AGAIN!!

[ZeroID (Brent)]

Wot he /\ said !!

[Octane (Humayun)]

She can have all my attention, one week either side of full Moon.

Is that fair?

H

[doppler (Rick)]

Use "blue tip" concrete screws/bolts, a bit dearer but you can screw them out easier if you want to move your gear later.

[Octane (Humayun)]

Thank you, Rick! Another option to consider before the work is done this weekend.

[Bassnut (Fred)]

Originally Posted by el_draco

Id be interested to hear from anyone who has built a domes on a slab and bolted the pier to the slab without isolation.... Dilemma I face

Is there measurable vibration? What about wind induced vibration through the dome?

Counter intuitive.

Itelescope simply bolt all the scopes to one giant slab, seems to wok well given some scopes are >3m FL. It is counter intuitive yes, but I haven't noticed any vibration. They don't jump around on it though. H,s slab sounds pretty solid, don't think it will be a problem.

[el_draco (Rom)]

Originally Posted by Octane

She can have all my attention, one week either side of full Moon.

Is that fair?

H

Mate!
Mate!!
MAAATTEEE!!
Hell have no fury that a newly-wed playing second fiddle to a scope!
You will hear about it for the rest of your LIFE!

[Octane (Humayun)]

Lol.

Well, after one stuck drill bit (I bought a couple, just in case, anyway), and one Dynabolt casualty (the missus had a few spares), the pier went in on Saturday afternoon.

Thank you, so much, to Lewis, for coming round with his drill and doing the hard work. Hope you didn't get into too much trouble with the missus!

I used Selley's sealant and siliconed the base of the pier to the slab to hopefully make it watertight.

Now, who can drill some holes in a rat cage pier plate (hard steel) for me, so that the pier head (G-11) will fit into it?

H

[Octane (Humayun)]

Just contacted a local fabrication place and they said they can do the holes for me, woohoo!

H

[ZeroID (Brent)]

Keep up the progress H, it just gets better as you go.

[Octane (Humayun)]

Dropping the metal off at the fabricators tomorrow morning before heading in to work.

For now, I don't think there will be any further progress. I've placed the pier right on the corner of the slab. If I put the pier in the middle, then, I will have to wait until about 60 degrees for my targets in the east to clear trees. At the edge, I can get them from about 30 degrees, or, thereabouts. I have to check again. I also have a clearer viewer to the south (still can't see SCP), but, if I wish to go for the jewels in Carina, I will be able to.

Need to nuke the vege patch (under which is another slab, I'm told) if I want a better location.

For now, I'm really happy that I will be able to get rid of the tripod legs and have everything in one location. I might think about making a makeshift tarp cover on four posts that I can place over my gear in an emergency. It takes too long throwing the Telegizmo 365 cover on -- have to be careful it doesn't catch on anything.

H

[CapturingTheNight (Greg)]

Good to hear H. Congrats. I will be looking to do something similar soon myself, as I take possession of my new house today.

[Octane (Humayun)]

Congratulations, Greg. That's awesome, man.

Look forward to your reports, too!

I can't believe how much fun automation is. Once you go down that road, you start realising quickly that it becomes a neverending project. There's scope for improvement at every turn.

H