David81
sage
Reged: 05/17/10
Loc: NE Ohio
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CG-5 Pier Adapter
#5465108 - 10/11/12 10:25 AM
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As I get closer to finishing my observatory, I'm trying to line up the final bits that I'll need to be up and running. One of those little bits is an adapter to mount my CG-5 to my new piers.
The piers will be pretty standard 10" metal pipe with flat plates at both ends. On top there will be a second plate attached to the pier by 3/4" threaded rod in the corners to allow for minor adjustments as needed. To this, I'll need to attach my CG-5 (for now) with some sort of adapter.
I ran across Ken Dauzat's website and emailed him about his adapter, but he has apparently closed up shop. In lieu of that option, I may just have a local machine shop work something up for me.
To do that, I'd need the proper dimensions of the base. I'm not sure I have the proper tools to do an accurate job of measuring it myself, so I'm wondering if someone out there has this info available. I'll probably mock something up in CAD for the machine shop once I have the proper measurements.
Thanks in advance,
David
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Raginar
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/19/10
Loc: Rapid CIty, SD
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Re: CG-5 Pier Adapter
[Re: David81]
#5465202 - 10/11/12 11:27 AM
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I made mine out of wood... works just fine for a bottom plate. If you had a decent drill press, I imagine a metal plate would work just fine.
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mclewis1
Thread Killer
Reged: 02/25/06
Loc: New Brunswick, Canada
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Re: CG-5 Pier Adapter
[Re: Raginar]
#5465452 - 10/11/12 02:13 PM
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Have a look at Dan's pier plates ... http://www.pierplates.com/products_3560.html
A bit expensive but very nice design and finish.
Remember that you have to have access to the bottom of the adapter for the center bolt.
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LateViewer
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 11/17/05
Loc: Manhattan
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Re: CG-5 Pier Adapter
[Re: mclewis1]
#5465712 - 10/11/12 05:24 PM
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When I wanted to attach my CG5 to a pier I bought a metal ring through McMaster and sandwiched it between the pier plate and the mount.
You do need a hole on the center top of your pier plate to put a bolt through.
It worked very well for me.
Al
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David81
sage
Reged: 05/17/10
Loc: NE Ohio
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Re: CG-5 Pier Adapter
[Re: LateViewer]
#5465840 - 10/11/12 07:10 PM
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I'm liking that metal ring idea Al. What exactly does McMaster call that though? 
Did you not add an indexing post for fine AZ adjustment?
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LateViewer
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 11/17/05
Loc: Manhattan
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Re: CG-5 Pier Adapter
[Re: David81]
#5465975 - 10/11/12 08:42 PM
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I found it on McMaster just by browsing. It was for something completely unrelated but it took, as I recall, less than an hour to find.
No I did not add an indexing post. The way my pier worked/works, the top plate rotates and then has four allen screws to set it. So I attached the mount with a bolt from below and then rotated it to north and set it. I was not imaging. Strictly a visual operation.
I would imagine you could tap the ring and insert the indexing post from your tripod.
The ring cost me about $20.00 I think.
Al
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wolfman_4_ever
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/15/11
Loc: El Segundo, Ca, So. Cal
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Re: CG-5 Pier Adapter
[Re: LateViewer]
#5466210 - 10/12/12 12:28 AM
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You can just get the orion sky view pro pier extension. It will come with a bottom pier adapter that you can bolt through the center. $89.99. Normally you would take this bottom plate and screw it to the tripod, then the extension tube bolts to the plate, then a top adapter is bolted to the extension tube. The top adapter screws into the bottom of the CG5
I think the hole was 3/16 but i drilled it out to 1/2"
Tapped a hole in the top of the pier-tech.. viola.. pier adapter. I cut the extension tube to the height I wanted.
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David81
sage
Reged: 05/17/10
Loc: NE Ohio
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Re: CG-5 Pier Adapter
[Re: wolfman_4_ever]
#5466576 - 10/12/12 09:50 AM
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Quote:
You can just get the orion sky view pro pier extension. It will come with a bottom pier adapter that you can bolt through the center.
That is very tempting. I actually just put up a wanted ad on the classified and "that other site" to see if anyone wants to offload one for me to cut up. That would easily allow me to raise the mount up a bit to avoid the 14" top plate of the pier blocking the counterweight shaft.
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Geo.
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/01/08
Loc: Upstate NY
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Re: CG-5 Pier Adapter
[Re: David81]
#5469718 - 10/14/12 12:27 PM Attachment (14 downloads)
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Here's the dimensions you'll need. This hub can be bolted down from the top with three 1/4-20 socket head screws or from the bottom with a 1/2-13 to keep the machining simpler.
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Gastrol
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 11/04/11
Loc: los angeles
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Re: CG-5 Pier Adapter
[Re: Raginar]
#5469737 - 10/14/12 12:39 PM
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Quote:
I made mine out of wood... works just fine for a bottom plate. If you had a decent drill press, I imagine a metal plate would work just fine.
Same here, I used wood as well when I used to have my CG-5 in the obs.
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Patrick
Postmaster
Reged: 05/16/03
Loc: Franklin, Ohio
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Re: CG-5 Pier Adapter
[Re: David81]
#5470837 - 10/15/12 12:17 AM Attachment (12 downloads)
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This pier plate is from Backyard Observatories. As you can see, I've got a Vixen GP2 mounted on it which is pretty similar to the CG5. The dual plate setup works great.
Patrick
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David81
sage
Reged: 05/17/10
Loc: NE Ohio
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Re: CG-5 Pier Adapter
[Re: David81]
#5471127 - 10/15/12 09:15 AM
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Wow. Thanks for all the info folks.
Right now I'm leaning towards a cut-down Orion pier extension with a flange welded to the bottom for mounting to the pier top plate. I'll probably price out an aluminum adapter ring from the local machinist, just for kicks as well.
Now if I could just get the welder's shop to call me back regarding that 7+ ft of 10" gas pipe I have sitting in my driveway ready to be cut up...
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LateViewer
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 11/17/05
Loc: Manhattan
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Re: CG-5 Pier Adapter
[Re: David81]
#5473478 - 10/16/12 03:48 PM
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Hmmm. Too bad you are in Ohio. I have a nice pier just sitting in storage.
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