dtastro Posted May 10, 2019 Share Posted May 10, 2019 Haven't done any astronomy yet despite buying two telescopes, as I suffered from a back problem all last year. I've decided to make things easier for myself and build a diy pier in the garden. Thought I would keep a visual diary of my diy pier as it's coming together. Having to dry the concrete blocks before painting...they've been sitting out in all the rain we've had lately, meanwhile I'm gathering all the other parts I need. Now what colour should I paint them...sandstone, white, or grey 🤔 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astrokev Posted May 10, 2019 Share Posted May 10, 2019 Good luck with the build David. You need to get those scopes up and running! kev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthonyexmouth Posted May 10, 2019 Share Posted May 10, 2019 how are you going to join them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtastro Posted May 10, 2019 Author Share Posted May 10, 2019 4 minutes ago, Anthonyexmouth said: how are you going to join them? Bolts and gripfill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthonyexmouth Posted May 10, 2019 Share Posted May 10, 2019 1 minute ago, dtastro said: Bolts and gripfill gripfill isn't great, do yourself a huge favour and buy a few vials of chemical resin fixings. https://www.toolstation.com/resin-capsule/p29927?store=EX&utm_source=googleshopping&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=googleshoppingfeed&gclid=CjwKCAjwwtTmBRBqEiwA-b6c_8TWW0NTnFxvHJ8gmSRdLbUoMXSD-UjUEaaGiHNTAYR9oLGHXmcwbBoClxcQAvD_BwE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtastro Posted May 10, 2019 Author Share Posted May 10, 2019 5 minutes ago, Anthonyexmouth said: gripfill isn't great, do yourself a huge favour and buy a few vials of chemical resin fixings. https://www.toolstation.com/resin-capsule/p29927?store=EX&utm_source=googleshopping&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=googleshoppingfeed&gclid=CjwKCAjwwtTmBRBqEiwA-b6c_8TWW0NTnFxvHJ8gmSRdLbUoMXSD-UjUEaaGiHNTAYR9oLGHXmcwbBoClxcQAvD_BwE Having to keep cost down...should be fine being bolted also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gina Posted May 10, 2019 Share Posted May 10, 2019 Is there really that much price difference? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthonyexmouth Posted May 10, 2019 Share Posted May 10, 2019 5 minutes ago, dtastro said: Having to keep cost down...should be fine being bolted also. id avoid the gripfill all together if you're bolting it all the way throgh, gripfill is awful stuff, it shrinks and hardens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upahill Posted May 10, 2019 Share Posted May 10, 2019 Can only speak for my own experience but mine are gorilla glued together without bolts (3 blocks) and then gorilla glued to a paving slab again without bolts and it hasnt moved at all. Good luck with the build! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fwm891 Posted May 10, 2019 Share Posted May 10, 2019 Personally I'd drill the holes for your bolts then a little bag of ready mixed fine sand and cement - spread the sand/cement mix, drop your bolts through and align everything then when the cement dries just snug the bolts up a little. You could use tile grout instead, again let it dry and then tighten things down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gina Posted May 10, 2019 Share Posted May 10, 2019 Keeping costs down is one thing but mind you "don't spoil the ship for a h'a'porth of tar". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthonyexmouth Posted May 10, 2019 Share Posted May 10, 2019 2 minutes ago, fwm891 said: Personally I'd drill the holes for your bolts then a little bag of ready mixed fine sand and cement - spread the sand/cement mix, drop your bolts through and align everything then when the cement dries just snug the bolts up a little. You could use tile grout instead, again let it dry and then tighten things down. thats not a very reliable way of securing threaded bar in concrete. resin chemical fixing are cheap and you'd have to smash the blocks open to get the bolts out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete_l Posted May 10, 2019 Share Posted May 10, 2019 (edited) 18 minutes ago, dtastro said: Having to keep cost down...should be fine being bolted also. For the value of the kit you'll have that depends on those bolts staying in place year after year, I'd spend a tenner now on a tube of resin. As Gina says: Ha'porth of tar, and all that Edited May 10, 2019 by pete_l 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cornelius Varley Posted May 10, 2019 Share Posted May 10, 2019 3 minutes ago, Anthonyexmouth said: thats not a very reliable way of securing threaded bar in concrete. resin chemical fixing are cheap and you'd have to smash the blocks open to get the bolts out. Totally agree. With nothing to stop the threaded bar from rotating when the nuts are tightened up the bar will just rotate. The best / simplest way is to do it properly with resin anchor bolts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthonyexmouth Posted May 10, 2019 Share Posted May 10, 2019 If i wanted to join those 2 blocks, i'd 1. drill 8 holes, 4x 200mm holes in each end 2. cut 4x 350mm lengths of treaded bar 3. drop a resin vial into 4 of the holes, knock the bar into the hole to break vial and let it cure 4. drop another 4 vials into the other 4 holes and then drop the block with the bars already cured into the empty holes. once thats cured they will be as good as a single cast block. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bukko Posted May 10, 2019 Share Posted May 10, 2019 + another one for the resin adhesive... ONe tube goes a long way and if you are careful, one will be enough. But it goes off quickly, so prepare carefully and then work quickly... Gordon 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthonyexmouth Posted May 10, 2019 Share Posted May 10, 2019 9 minutes ago, Bukko said: + another one for the resin adhesive... ONe tube goes a long way and if you are careful, one will be enough. But it goes off quickly, so prepare carefully and then work quickly... Gordon i always use the resin vials. measured amount and no waste. always have a box or 2 in the van 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesF Posted May 10, 2019 Share Posted May 10, 2019 I didn't realise the resin was available in vials. I shall look out for them. I was thinking only the other day that I have a job to do where it would be a sensible choice. James 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gina Posted May 10, 2019 Share Posted May 10, 2019 Yes, those resin vials look the dog's doodahs 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthonyexmouth Posted May 10, 2019 Share Posted May 10, 2019 (edited) 4 minutes ago, JamesF said: I didn't realise the resin was available in vials. I shall look out for them. I was thinking only the other day that I have a job to do where it would be a sensible choice. James yeah, its one of those things that you rarely need a full tube. works out under £1 a vial. they are glass, you slide them in then push the bolt/bar in and then give a tap with the hammer to smash the glass and seat the bolt/bar . zero mess and no waste Edited May 10, 2019 by Anthonyexmouth 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtastro Posted May 11, 2019 Author Share Posted May 11, 2019 (edited) Holes drilled...I know at least 3 of them line up...the 4th may go in with some persuasion 🙂 Only just managed to drill the 5mm guide holes before the bit wore out. Also be warned after drilling with the 10mm bit the bolts and stud wouldn't go through...I had to pop out and get a 12mm bit 1st coat of masonry paint on...the 2nd can go on when it's in place. I went with white 🙂 Edited May 11, 2019 by dtastro 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtastro Posted May 11, 2019 Author Share Posted May 11, 2019 Top is off the tripod ready to go on the pier when it's concreted in. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesF Posted May 11, 2019 Share Posted May 11, 2019 Excellent progress :) James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtastro Posted May 12, 2019 Author Share Posted May 12, 2019 At last some clear sky and I've marked out a point where my pier is going to go. It's situated for next door's shed to block out an annoying street light, another neighbours tree blocks out some bedroom windows. That leaves me with a good view of Polaris for setting up, a gap between the trees in the east, a fairly clear south and west above my rooftop, plus everything up above. I may need to put a screen up on one fence panel to block out the neighbour's security light. Sorted 🙂 Now I need to start digging the hole and getting the stud cut to size. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astrokev Posted May 12, 2019 Share Posted May 12, 2019 What size hole are you planning to use ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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