If you go to your local metal recycling place they will most likely sell new and USED metal in all kinds of shapes and sizes. Usually for a few bucks a pound. I bought a 4 in and a 6 in metal tube, cut to length on the yards bandsaw. They even have offcut scrap. I found some perfect triangle pieces to use as supports and also a square plate 1" thick and a round plate 1" thick. What I brought home was already cut and the plates had holes in them for bolts. I paid 90 bucks for all the steal. Using the flat square plates on the bottom and the round on the top with the triangle pieces to support the bottom. I use all thread embedded in the concrete and I turned a cast iron adapter that is IDENTICAL to the top of my tripod so my mount would bolt to it with the same adjustability as I would have on the tripod. I used elongated holes on the base to allow for some rotation adjustment. And I used large bolts with a series of two nuts on each bolt to the round adapter plate to allow for some leveling adjustment. Once it's all set, and polar aligned, I should be able to forget it.
Thanks so much! I know that polar alignment and the alt-az adjustments on the mount can compensate for level and such - I was just a little paranoid that the foundation and bolts would go in wrong, and then I was in trouble. And I would be if the error was greater than the alt-az adjustment ability of the mount. So this way, I can tame my paranoia! :-)
An excellent and valid point. It amazes me how many people are convinced that a perfectly level pier is absolutely essential for accurate polar alignment. As you say, it doesn't matter one iota!
If you go to your local metal recycling place they will most likely sell new and USED metal in all kinds of shapes and sizes.
Usually for a few bucks a pound.
I bought a 4 in and a 6 in metal tube, cut to length on the yards bandsaw.
They even have offcut scrap. I found some perfect triangle pieces to use as supports and also a square plate 1" thick and a round plate 1" thick.
What I brought home was already cut and the plates had holes in them for bolts.
I paid 90 bucks for all the steal.
Using the flat square plates on the bottom and the round on the top with the triangle pieces to support the bottom.
I use all thread embedded in the concrete and I turned a cast iron adapter that is IDENTICAL to the top of my tripod so my mount would bolt to it with the same adjustability as I would have on the tripod.
I used elongated holes on the base to allow for some rotation adjustment.
And I used large bolts with a series of two nuts on each bolt to the round adapter plate to allow for some leveling adjustment.
Once it's all set, and polar aligned, I should be able to forget it.
Oh, and I filled my steel tube with expanding foam to cut down on vibration and ringing.
Great tips! Thanks for sharing it!
I have not head of this option - again - thanks for sharing!
Another great video and nice to see it moving forward, FWI the pier does not have to be perfectly level, that’s what polar alignment is for….👍🏻
Thanks so much! I know that polar alignment and the alt-az adjustments on the mount can compensate for level and such - I was just a little paranoid that the foundation and bolts would go in wrong, and then I was in trouble. And I would be if the error was greater than the alt-az adjustment ability of the mount. So this way, I can tame my paranoia! :-)
An excellent and valid point. It amazes me how many people are convinced that a perfectly level pier is absolutely essential for accurate polar alignment. As you say, it doesn't matter one iota!