Made a Pier Extension...

[dkbender]

After initial setup of the 152mm f/8 APO on the Astro-Physics AP900GTO mount and PWT Pinnacle tripod, I noticed that with the Nikon D7000 DSLR imaging gear onboard, it was grazing the tripod legs at or near zenith.   I figured for extra margin that a 6" pier extension was in order.   The Pinnacle pier is 10" diameter aircraft aluminum, so I tried hunting down one that was already made but came up empty.   So, I fab'ed one myself.   I ordered 6061 tube, 1/2" wall and my good friend has a big lathe and milling equipment.   We faced the tube square, made the inside cuts, lathed the waist in, like the factory and then proceeded to drill and tap all the holes.   Here it is integrated into the mount....  it's still in brushed aluminum but looks factory made.

[spaceboy]

Made me dribble!!!! How much would I love one of those ES 152ED carbon fibre jobbies. Great job on the pier extension as well.

[Carina Lass]

Looks a sweet job.

love the tripod.