Thanks for the thoughts. Ya know, I was sorta hoping to keep it relatively simple. I am interested in alternatives to pouring a concrete column 24" in diameter and roughly 16` long. I`m not an engineer but I believe that`s 64 cubic feet of concrete which would require more than a couple of tons of mix.

The idea of a steel pier stressed by rods at angles could be a possibility, but a steel pier that long is going to be pretty heavy to put in place and this will also require boring holes in a fairly thick piece of metal.

I`m looking to upgrade my 8" newtonian (15 years old) to either a 10" or 8" computer controlled SCT. The observatory would certainly increase my behind the eyepiece time considerably. It needs to be on stilts due to the topography of my property and the many trees surrounding it. I also need to keep it on a tight budget.

What about a 6 inch steel pier of the normal water pressure type, anchored with about 4 to 6 feet of concrete at the bottom, filled on the inside with concrete, surrounded by a 12 inch PVC pipe packed with sand. Wouldn`t the sand deaden any vibration? Sand is cheaper and easier to handle than concrete.

• RE: RE: 2 story 24 - crockett - September 16, 2000 - 18:31 UTC
  • RE: RE: RE: 2 story 24 - Brett Wood - September 17, 2000 - 15:27 UTC