Custom Pier

[martintblack]

Hello

Can anyone suggest companies who supply custom telescope piers? I need one made due to issues with the supplier not being able to provide one as originally ordered! *must not go on rant*

Given the time scale on which this is needed, it would most likelt need to be a UK supplier. Oh, and it's to fit a Meade Max mount, so it's going to need to be a custom job to hold the weight!

Thanks

Martin

[Stephen]

I'd recommend Graham for custom work : http://www.astroteclimited.co.uk/

[juliosky]

2nd that

http://www.astroteclimited.co.uk/

[Jessun]

How about this brute of a pier:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270984588295

[pete_l]

Oh, and it's to fit a Meade Max mount, so it's going to need to be a custom job to hold the weight!

That's the killer. A Meade Max is so far away from your common-or-garden domestic mount that you need specialist engineering.

My only suggestion would be to call up some local engineering or metal-bashers and discuss with them the specification - loading, weight, materials, tolerances etc. A significant part of the job won't just be delivering to spec. but I'd suggest you'd want installation and acceptance to be part of your agreement, too.

Good luck.

[martintblack]

Thanks for all the speedy responses. I will contact Astrotec later today with some details.

Do you feel that your run of the mill heavy engineering firms would be able to deliver telescope piers to spec? I had assumed I was best going with those who specialise in piers, as they know the tricks to avoid vibrations and the inherent issues with telescope piers. However it is entirely possible I am over thinking this...

[pete_l]

Do you feel that your run of the mill heavy engineering firms would be able to deliver telescope piers to spec? I had assumed I was best going with those who specialise in piers, as they know the tricks to avoid vibrations and the inherent issues with telescope piers.

I don't know - things like flexure and vibration transmission/damping would be some of the topics that would have to be discussed in person with the companies. However I feel that something on this scale would be out of the league of the "domestic" pier suppliers that we all use here (I stand to be corrected, and would be pleased if there is a supplier who's dome something like this in the past).

The richest / most "serious" amateur users will have, at best, a mount like a Paramount ME, which is a semi-pro mount (think: Ferrari) and weighs in, fully loaded at something over 400 lbs. Without knowing what you're planning to put on the mount, I'd have to say that the Meade Max spec's in at about three times the payload of the ME - maybe a worst-case of half a ton, in total weight for the mount, counterweights and telescope.

[martintblack]

I will let you know how I get on with the suppliers.

The richest / most "serious" amateur users will have, at best, a mount like a Paramount ME, which is a semi-pro mount (think: Ferrari) and weighs in, fully loaded at something over 400 lbs. Without knowing what you're planning to put on the mount, I'd have to say that the Meade Max spec's in at about three times the payload of the ME - maybe a worst-case of half a ton, in total weight for the mount, counterweights and telescope.

Firstly I would like to say this is not my personal setup, I am helping install it for Edinubrgh University. I would have gone with a Paramount ME (which I've installed and used before so know what a nice piece it is to work with), but this was bought before I was involved. The mount was bought with the Meade 20" LX400-ACF. The mount, OTA, and counterweights come in at just under 700lb! Stick on camera, filters, etc, and I am guessing we are looking at something just under 320kg. Safe to say I am not looking forward to lifting this into place

[pete_l]

Looking at the picture on Astronomics' website

The Meade pier doesn't seem to have any special features - justa big ole lump of metal. Maybe they "fix" vibration problems through the application of sheer weight .

If your customisations aren't too extreme, then something like the pier in the picture - just taller / shorter should be within the abilities of a local shop with a large enough lathe.

P.S. When it's fully commissioned, any chance of a quick peep through it?