Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro pillar mount built for under 30 quid

[Varavall]

Hi all

Having looked at the various options on the market for a pillar mount, there was nothing that suited my setup so it would easily fit under the motorbike cover (or clamshell cover). So with a visit to my local scrapyard  and a bit of machining and bolting together, it is possible to build a very stable mount (600mm tall) out of scrap aluminium. It may appear a bit rustic (can always paint it), but it won't rust and I get to spend the £200+ saved on other things! If anyone is interested in the specs of the creation, say so and I'll post them up.

[callisto]

Looks good 👍

What's the height of the pier?

 

Mark 🙂

[Peter Drew]

The text says 600mm.  ?     🙂  

[Varavall]

To clarify, it is 600mm from the ground to the top of the pillar. The height could be adjusted by adding or removing the square blocks at the base of the column.

[pete_l]

On 30/09/2021 at 16:59, Varavall said:

I get to spend the £200+ saved on other things!

Even better, you could not buy a 10 Micron pier and have £1000 to spend on other things 😈

[Varavall]

3 hours ago, pete_l said:

Even better, you could not buy a 10 Micron pier and have £1000 to spend on other things 😈

Now that's an interesting challenge. I wonder if my milling machine is up to it  🤔

[bosun21]

You could get the pier extension for the HEQ5. 👇

[malc-c]

The edges on the "birds nest" look like they would be sharp enough to cut every time you need to tighten the central bolt holding the mount.

[Varavall]

3 hours ago, malc-c said:

look like they would be sharp enough to cut

True, but I use a socket wrench so I keep my blood where it belongs. 😉

[Varavall]

21 hours ago, bosun21 said:

You could get the pier extension for the HEQ5

I guess that's £100 before thinking about what to sit it on. versus £1 for scrap aluminium tube.

[bosun21]

10 minutes ago, Varavall said:

I guess that's £100 before thinking about what to sit it on. versus £1 for scrap aluminium tube.

Well when you put it that way you definitely have a valid point 😂.

Edited February 22 by bosun21
Autocorrect typo