Jump to content

Banner.jpg.b83b14cd4142fe10848741bb2a14c66b.jpg

  • entries
    74
  • comments
    107
  • views
    54,147

Lowestoft pier aka. George's column - nearing completion

Hawksmoor

Entry posted by Hawksmoor

1,856 views

 Share

The pier construction project for my 5 inch refractor is nearing completion. Today, I bolted the oak capping, the mild steel levelling plate and my NEQ6 Pro equatorial mount to the top of the reinforced concrete column.  All in all I think the project will have cost me about £120 for materials but I did have some of the stuff I needed already in my shed.  The weather, true to form, has suddenly turned grim - grey clouds horizon to horizon.:happy6:  I guess this is my fault.

Everything seems to have turned out alright so unless the earth crust folds under the imposed weight I should be imaging Jupiter very soon subject to jet stream and cloud cover.

The fabrication-construction stages were as follows:

  • Obtaining via the Internet the laser cut 6mm mild steel disc for making the levelling plate.
  • Drilling it to take the  3 stainless steel threaded studs used to fix the levelling plate to the top of the concrete pier.
  • Drilling it to enable my existing extension pillar/puck to be bolted to it.
  • Cutting and welding reinforcing bar to create a reinforcement cage for the concrete pier.
  • Choosing the best location and marking out for the pier.
  • Drilling my existing concrete paving through into the concrete sub base ( i didn't want to dig the paving up for the pier foundation).
  • Chem fixing shear studs and the bottom of the reinforcement cage into the concrete sub- base.
  • Constructing the timber formwork for the pier.
  • Casting the concrete in two pours.
  • Removing the formwork after 14 days.
  • Painting  the levelling plate using three coats of Hammerite.
  • Making the timber pillar capping and eyepiece tray from some surplius oak kitchen worktop.
  • Boltting and levelling the capping, levelling plate and NEQ6Pro to the top of the concrete pier.

Now I can turn my shed endeavours towards Spectrometer Mk3.:happy7:

58ee7d3dd967f_LowestoftPier010.png.fa0a55203e1ecb31322b5c6a386435df.png58ee7d3b1ed68_Girlsvisit003.png.bdce391f0adb4b9a1f9362b653cefb9b.png58ee7d3c984c3_Girlsvisit014.png.a1581c918a99808d014274f33068a2d6.png58ee7d3a19473_GeorgesColumn.png.c154bac71bd20600ca9aa08d6f236849.png58ee7d44e05c4_Pier001.png.d200b772284047a3a20d013419a0bd52.png58ee7d564b204_Pier006.png.af772df9d84bee7447cf14ec2c21b3a8.png

 

  • Like 4
 Share

4 Comments

Recommended Comments

JimRymer

Looks like its going to be a fantastic set up, well done. Your far more handy than I could ever manage to be! What scope are you going to use ? I am in Norfolk, and often get out to Lowestoft the sky there is special good viewing and clear skies. regards Jim 

Link to comment
Hawksmoor
On 06/05/2017 at 14:22, JimRymer said:

Looks like its going to be a fantastic set up, well done. Your far more handy than I could ever manage to be! What scope are you going to use ? I am in Norfolk, and often get out to Lowestoft the sky there is special good viewing and clear skies. regards Jim 

Sorry I have not replied before but I have only just noticed your kind comment.  I  have a Meade 127mm. Apo Refractor which I have used recently to image Jupiter and Comet Johnson using my new pillar mount.  It works quite nicely and  makes using my scope a lot easier. I also have nine young grandchildren who come and play in my backyard so my old tripod used to get nudged and moved on a regular basis requiring polar realignment every time.

I have a smaller mobile set up- imaging rig and  take it down to the Lowestoft Fish Labs carpark on Pakefield cliffs.  Its a great location for catching images of horizon hugging objects (excellent for early morning images of comets , Mercury and Venus).

Best regards George

Link to comment
tooth_dr

Hi George

Fantastic job with the pier, it looks really well suited to the beautiful garden surroundings. I can relate to your grandchildren scenario, we present up to 10 to my dads house, though not normally all the same time! That pier will certainly not move too far even if a football or two get kicked against it.

 

Regards

Adam

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Hawksmoor
43 minutes ago, tooth_dr said:

Hi George

Fantastic job with the pier, it looks really well suited to the beautiful garden surroundings. I can relate to your grandchildren scenario, we present up to 10 to my dads house, though not normally all the same time! That pier will certainly not move too far even if a football or two get kicked against it.

 

Regards

Adam

Thanks for your kind comment Adam. Yes I think it is probably football proof but we have been known to underestimate what our grand children can achieve when left to their own devices. Good job we love them.:happy11:

Regards George

  • Like 1
Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.