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Old 27-09-2020, 08:59 PM
Stevaus (Steve)
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Permanent pier supplier, Melbourne

Hi all
I'm building an observatory on the Mornington Peninsula, Vic. I plan to have the pier bolted to concrete foundation isolated from a synthetic deck inside a 3m Scopedome. Any recommendations for a good supplier for a steel or aluminium pier?

- I haven't calculated the required height yet, the top of the foundation will be level with the deck (but isolated)
- ideally a 10 inch dia, it needs to support an AP1600GTO mount, I have a 10 inch AP flat surface adapter.


Suggestions welcome!
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Old 04-10-2020, 08:46 AM
jamespierce (James)
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From memory I think the ScopeDome guys have a good contact.
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Old 04-10-2020, 12:07 PM
FrancoRodriguez (Franco)
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I got mine from Pier One in Brisbane. It's a pretty solid mount. He's very slow to make them but they're a quality pier.
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Old 04-10-2020, 08:07 PM
AstroApprentice (Jason)
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Hi Steve,
You could always buy a pipe and have base/top plates welded on. I know a cheap, but good welder in Rye.
Plus pipes come up on eBay from time to time e.g. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Steel-pi...sAAOSwsNZeslYJ
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Old 04-10-2020, 11:42 PM
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LostInSp_ce
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I agree Steve if you can weld or know someone who can its much cheaper to do it yourself with a bit of pipe and two plates. If not then find a local fabricator to whip one up from leftovers for you. Here's mine, it's a bit of gas pipe welded to two plates. Then used some 200mm aluminium off cut as an adapter/extender which can be easily switched out to accommodate any future mount upgrades. Anyhow just food for thought. Good luck.
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Old 05-10-2020, 06:35 PM
Stevaus (Steve)
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Thanks James, I got some good ideas from Steve M
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Old 05-10-2020, 06:40 PM
Stevaus (Steve)
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Thanks Franco, Jason & LostInSp_ce, Diego at Sidereal trading is offering to fabricate a pier. Unfortunately I am not a welder! Agree this should be a simple task for a fabricator, I've also found a good one nearby, so have a few options now.
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