Re: [APML]: pier construction

["Bob Freeze" <rfreeze@conc.tds.net>]

The plate sounds like a great idea!  I'll have to have the materials on hand
to install next time I have the 'scope off of the pier.

Bob      http://www.usit.com/rfreeze

-----Original Message-----
From: Frank Schiralli, Jr. <schiralli@mindspring.com>
To: astro-photo@nightsky.com <astro-photo@nightsky.com>
Date: Thursday, February 12, 1998 8:36 AM
Subject: Re: [APML]: pier construction


>
>At 06:28 AM 2/12/98 -0500, you wrote:
>>
>>I poured an 8" (yes, undersized) concrete pier "as one" with a 3ft
>>deep by 3ft diameter base for my 12".
>>I placed all-thread into the top of the sonotube/concrete to match the
>>superwedge bolt pattern with washers resting in the top of the
>>concrete.  A plywood template was used for this.
>>
>>The only thing I don't like about the 8" diameter is that I had to
>>bolt a piece of steel on the side for the azimuth adjuster.
>
>Bob,
>
>I have an 8" thick walled pipe sunk 5 feet into 1500 lbs of solid concrete
>as a pier for my 12". Double welded to the top of the pipe is a 1/2" thick
>plate drilled and tapped for the superwedge.  I forget it's precise
>dimensions, but its a rectangle which, overall, is about 1 1/2 inches
>longer and wider than the superwedge footprint.
>
>If you're not happy w/ the piece of steel appended to the side to
>accomodate the azimuth thrust pin, consider replacing the "head" beneath
>the s/wedge with a plate.  It also gives you some means for adjusting the
>azimuth w/o a portion of the superwedge hanging off in space, and it gives
>a convenient place to attatch accesory power cords, etc.  Lastly, if your
>pier isn't perfectly plumb, the presence of the plate permits you to shim
>the superwedge to near perfection.  I painted my pier and plate with flat
>black Rustoleum (3 coats rolled on) and two years later it looks exactly
>like the day I first painted it. Also, I filled the pipe w/ sand from Home
>Depot.  Talk about "dull".  Zero ring. Punch or kick it and it barely makes
>a "thud".  I'm very happy w/ this setup.
>
>Frank Schiralli, Jr.
>Member, Astronomical Society of Long Island (ASLI)
>N 40* 54' 28"
>W 73* 19' 22"
>