OK I have the following ingredients, a space in the yard, a pole, a mount head extension for a tripod for a eq6 , a cranky wife , and a stainless steel plate 10mm by 200 square? So how will I put this mess together?
Sell the Stainless and buy a less cranky wife... ..seriously stainless is cool if you have the gear to use it,,,flick it its worth a few bob...and you will probably never use it, what grade of stainless, do you know ?...
I hate to say it, hOughy, but I don't think the totem tennis pole is up to the task!
I would probably agree with Sir Dystic... unless you want to go all stainless, I'd probably skip it.
The pole (the real pole, not the totem tennis!) is what diameter? and how does that compare to the mount head? I see the pole has a base plate on it...
'Scuse my ignorance, I'm not sure I know how the mount head is to work... I assume the first photo shows the bottom, and th second shows the machined face that engages the scope mount. Does the outer sleeve (looks like its held on with screws) slide off? Perhaps if you can explain that part I can offer something???
Of course, the bigger the diameter of the pole the better... rigidity is proportional to the 4th power of the radius (or diameter).
the stainless steel part came from another project I had a few years ago and since I already have it I will use it. Yep the screws do hold the bottom plate on the extension, but that allows access to the screw thread and knob on the inside to attach the mount head to it. the pole is 100mm with a wall thickness of 4mm, thicker than the pier mount attachment. I will be of course cutting the pole if to suit but at this stage I am trying to work out the best possible combination to achieve the goal. if I had fins on the exterior to the pole would that stabilise it?
I hate to say it, hOughy, but I don't think the totem tennis pole is up to the task!
I would probably agree with Sir Dystic... unless you want to go all stainless, I'd probably skip it.
The pole (the real pole, not the totem tennis!) is what diameter? and how does that compare to the mount head? I see the pole has a base plate on it...
'Scuse my ignorance, I'm not sure I know how the mount head is to work... I assume the first photo shows the bottom, and th second shows the machined face that engages the scope mount. Does the outer sleeve (looks like its held on with screws) slide off? Perhaps if you can explain that part I can offer something???
Of course, the bigger the diameter of the pole the better... rigidity is proportional to the 4th power of the radius (or diameter).
Al.
can you expand on the 4th power bit , and the totem tennis pole is out of bounds
if you double the diameter, the stiffness/rigidity will increase by a factor of 2x2x2x2 = 2 to the power of 4 i.e. 16 times!
Yes, stiffeners (longitudinal fins) around the outside will stiffen it, but not as much as changing diameter. It depends on sizes and number of fins, etc.
I think I'm getting an idea of how it works... (but I could be wrong! )
So, if you undo the screws holding the bottom plate into the extension, can it be completely separated? If so, if the bottom plate is a bigger diameter than the pole (and possibly even if it isn't) you could weld the bottom plate to your pole to make the pier, or replace the bottom plate with another one that us welded to the pole (thus allowing you to sell the extension later if you want)?
Am I on the right track or still missing something?
I think I'm getting an idea of how it works... (but I could be wrong! )
So, if you undo the screws holding the bottom plate into the extension, can it be completely separated? If so, if the bottom plate is a bigger diameter than the pole (and possibly even if it isn't) you could weld the bottom plate to your pole to make the pier, or replace the bottom plate with another one that us welded to the pole (thus allowing you to sell the extension later if you want)?
Am I on the right track or still missing something?
Al.
sort of right, allows for a bit of flexibility later, if I decide to resurrect the lx200 drive and wedge, I was only going to bolt the adapter plate to the baseplate rather than weld it, in case I wish to sell it later but I might just think about welding it now you metion it
Looks too hard mate. What height do you want/need. I would start again, using a wooden fence post. Easier to use for starters. Stainless is cool, but darn hard on the sense of humour. Once you have the height above ground, and the hole in the ground, this will give you the post length. The mounting plate is a good move though. I used steel water pipe, about 150mm diameter, and about 5mm thick, one short one (650mm) in the ground semi-permenant, the other about 800mm on a tripod with wheels, a rolling pier if you like. The mount fits on either, and gives me flexibility in where I put it.
hey houghy, im quite sure that you can get a proper pier for the EQ6 instead of the tripod legs. I think they are roughly $200-$300. Not at permanent pier, the upside down umbrella type.
hey houghy, im quite sure that you can get a proper pier for the EQ6 instead of the tripod legs. I think they are roughly $200-$300. Not at permanent pier, the upside down umbrella type.
ihad thought of that, but i am still exploring options
Houghy ...Ill post some pics of the one Im building soon as soon as I get the glue off my fingers enough to safely handle the 350...LOL,, Triangles AAAARRRGGHHHH.... yes see my othe thread DIY youll see...
Hi Again Houghy,,,what grade of stainless is it you want to use, ignoring the advice of folk who know the difficulties of working with it. its 3xx ,,,316 304 309 ???,,,I will be able to help with how to deal with this fabulous but awkward material if you insist on using it...
Hi Again Houghy,,,what grade of stainless is it you want to use, ignoring the advice of folk who know the difficulties of working with it. its 3xx ,,,316 304 309 ???,,,I will be able to help with how to deal with this fabulous but awkward material if you insist on using it...
its only a one off plate - 316 - so it wont be a problem, only bolts will be used
its only a one off plate - 316 - so it wont be a problem, only bolts will be used
316 is ok to work with, if your only bolting , you said it was square,,Im thinking plasma cutting etc...if your drilling holes ,,,keep rpm down ,,,lots of coolant, water will do but oil you tools after... 316 work hardens really quickly, you can melt a drill in the stuff,,,really Im not kidding, Im a machinist/ toolmaker/ fitter/ boilermaker/ whatever pays the bills LOL..
Sir to you Houghy...rule of thumb stainless,,,sharp tools low revs and coolant. Some of the stuff ive made from 316 marine grade,, when you screw up its expensive in material and tooling..remember this when your trying to drill thru 10mm plate with your cordless...LOL
, a cranky wife
, and a stainless steel plate 10mm by 200 square? So how will I put this mess together?
