I had finished my "robservatory" and was using the scope on its tripod for a while but had always planned to mount the equipment on a pier.
Now - most people would recommend digging out massive foundations and sinking a pier structure well below frost level. I decided that as I had built the "robservatory" on an existing concrete base - I would try and use a removable steel pier - bolted into the concrete base.
My logic was two fold
 | if we leave any time soon - it can come with us |
| If I get vibration form the existing set-up - I can always remove - dig through the concrete pad and mount on new isolated substantial foundations. |
So - I started to look on the internet for suitable pier designs to copy and found this from Tony Floyde which showed just what I was after and also gave dimensional drawings: http://website.lineone.net/%7Etony.floyde/HOME%20PIER.htm
I already had the Meade standard wedge so just went for the pier design. I also went away from the separate top plate but just had the main top plate machined to accept the three 10mm bolts at 65mm centres that are the wedge attachments.
I went for a 42 inch version as this would put the tube centre when mounted on the wedge at just below the eaves of my shed and still fit when mounted in polar home position. any bigger scope and this would be unlikely.
I approached a local blacksmith who took the design and built it for me. It was designed on an 8 inch steel pipe with a 400mm wide base plate and a 300mm wide top plate - both 15mm thick. The pier is stiffened with vertical fillets welded to pipe and both top and bottom plates. It cost me £150 so I was very pleased.
Its bolted to the floor of the observatory with 5 10mm bolts and is now cabled up with power and data leads. The pier is mounted slightly off centre in the observatory as the Meade wedge puts the optical centre of the tube away from pier centre - this way I have even room around the scope when in use.
Jobs a good un. Here's a pic of the LX90 mounted on the wedge in polar aligned home position.
