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My concrete pier construction
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I only need 36" to get below frost line but I wanted to be safe. So a 5' deep pit dug with neighbours small backhoe. Thanks Kurt.
North at night
Footer created using 80 lb cement mixed one at a time in a wheel barrow. 10 bags. There are 2x18" rebar rods laying horizontal in the footer.
18" sonnet tube of 48" tall getting filled. 2 x 6' rebar rods going vertical.
Bottom pier plate before and after insertion into pier at the end of the pour.
3/4" aluminum plate of 12"x 12" and the 3/4" stainless threaded rods of 24" length were bent using a torch.
The clearing my dad did for me on the North side of pier.
Another 18" sonnet tube added, secured by a small brace, and cut at 50" above earth.
A closer look at how the top of the pier and the plates are arranged.
Second 3/4" plate added using 1/2" stainless threaded rod allowing simple adjusments if required. The Losmandy G11 sits in a Meade tripod adapter that has 2 bolts securing it to the top plate.
The William Optics 10th Anniversary 80mm Fluorite refractor looks like a knat on an elephant.
What me and my dad used to construct this pier, so far.

Home depot
80 lb concrete bags x 28 (i think)
8' x 1/2" rebar x 3 units ( i cut one up to use 2-2' pieces in footer)

Had available at my families farm
18" x 48" sonnet tube x 2 units (12" would be fine for most folks)

From http://www.mymetalconnection.com/products.asp?Minor=8
12"x12" x 2 units of aluminum plate

From http://www.mcmaster.com/
Stainless steel threaded rod
3/4" x 24" x 3 (i bought 4 to be safe)
1/2" x 36" x 1 (i bought 3)
Stainless steel nuts and washers
I purchased from Walmart a 12'x12' tarp to use as a cover until the plan for a permanent shed is completed in the spring. So here under the snowy tarp, my 10"SCT is hoping to see some action, when the weather permits. It and the G11 are nice and dry.

 

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