TripletStars
member
Reged: 07/01/05
Posts: 41
|
|
So after a year of working 60-80 hrs per week I finally have some time to get back into the hobby. I stopped about the time I was ready to build my observatory. I've picked a good site for it and I'm ready to proceed. But now I have a ton of questions.
I'm on a limited budget and can not afford one of those steel piers. So I'd like to make one from concrete. I live in PA and the frost line for us is about 30 inches down. I plan to dig a 24X24 square whole and go 36 inches down. put Sono tube in the center and fill around and inside the tube with concrete. Does this sound right. Do I need to use any re-bars (sp?). If so, how do shape them and how much do I need? My scope is an 8 inch lx200 GPS. Will this pier support it. I plan to do some photography but I'm ok if the pier flexes a little. What kind of concrete do you suggest to use?
Once the pier is done I will build the decking around it. After that I will decide based on my budget if I should build a shed or buy POD.
Assume I am novice at digging a whole that deep, making the bars and making the concrete.
Thanks,
Fred
|
csa/montana
Den Mama
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 76331
Loc: montana
|
|
Fred: Congratulations to you for getting back to Astronomy & your Observatory. There will be many members here that will give you the very best advice.
Let us know how it's coming, after you start, & lots of photos! 
Carol
--------------------
Carol
AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
Vixen 80MF
Masayumas 7.5,15,25W,35
Pentax XW5,10; XL7
TV22Pan
ES30
Paradigm 8,12,18
DreamCatcher Dobservatory
|
Manny Myles
Postmaster
Reged: 11/29/05
Posts: 6284
Loc: Far South of the flyover city ...
|
|
Post deleted by Manny Myles
|
Manny Myles
Postmaster
Reged: 11/29/05
Posts: 6284
Loc: Far South of the flyover city ...
|
|
Post deleted by Manny Myles
--------------------
Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak
|
rboe
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 63466
Loc: Phx, AZ
|
|
Read this thread , especially the first 10 pages or so. This is the granddaddy thread of this forum and much wisdom (and not a little hot air) is embedded in that thread with much to learn. Some very good stuff.
We'll then give you a quiz on Monday. 
--------------------
Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
127mm F9 Surplus Shed/Crawmach kit scope
Coronado SolarMax 40 on a Celestron 102 Wide Field
Best of ATM
|
NeoDinian
Experienced Postmaster
Reged: 10/05/05
Posts: 14043
Loc: Rockford Illinois
|
|
Oh, the Mother of all piers...
Or if I remember right, the 16 TON Pier! 
--------------------
Neo... (Jeff)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
10" LX200-GPS/SMT UHTC "Draco"
 Rockford, Il.
NeoDinian's Eye on the Sky!
Coming soon:
|
Richard B. Drumm
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/14/05
Posts: 1486
Loc: Albemarle Co. Virginia
|
|
I remember him also because he's in my county! He's dropped off the map here after that thread ran its course. I'd love to get him in my club but he's invisible...
The image of the crete chipped away in the middle of the pier still sends shivers down me timbers! 
Don't let that stop you from making your own pier, though. Just read all the posts and dive in!
BTW, Happy Birfday Neo!
Rich
--------------------
AKA Richard Drumm The Astronomy Bum
Orion Atlas 10 (10" Newt on an equatorial mount)
Celestron 15x70 SkyMaster Binocs
Coronado Ha PST
President, Charlottesville Astronomical Society
IOTA member
38° 10' 57"N, 78° 23' 09"W
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
