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Date: 08 Nov 2006 02:04:29
From: Chris.B
Subject: Re: pier design
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Tater wrote:
> does anyone have some? does anyone have a pier for their scope that
> they wish had "this" or maybe did not have *that*?
>
> looking at possibly building my own pier and observatory housing and
> would like some ideas of what to do and what NOT to do
I welded up my own tall refractor pier out of heavy steel pipe.
http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/fullerscopes_mk4/index.jhtml
Lessons learned the hard way:
1) Far too heavy to move if a planet hides behind the house or a tree
but the mounting stays aligned!
2) Rise and fall would be nice. A rise and fall chair is a poor second
choice.
3) Stable enough to allow handheld digital photography at the eyepiece
even at high powers. (If your mounting is heavy enough)
4) The feet get in the way when it's dark! Next time I will put a
simple tall pipe in a deep concrete foundation. This assumes you want a
fixed site and have clear skies all around you. I have trees in all
directions and a house to the South..
5) Cutting the grass round a long-legged pier (like mine) is very
difficult. If you use a strimmer it removes the paint! A simple pipe
would be far easier and the concrete would stop grass growth around the
base.
6) Gravel around a pier makes some sense except that my lawn slopes and
would need soil imported to level it over a ten foot circle. Removing
leaves from gravel is a bore but easy on grass. Finding dropped items
on gravel is a PITA. Paving slabs and concrete are positive attractors
for dropped eyepieces.
7. Shelter is valuable in the slightest breeze. Even if you dress up
really warm your eyes still water in the slightest breeze when it's
cold. (it usually is cold here)
8) Shelter is desirable against dew. Dewing is a real PITA in some
climates unless precautions are taken.
9) If you build a dome make it very light and easy running... or
forget it. Think large, rubbery wheels (like in-line skates) rather
than small, hard castors.
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