I've just been invited to join this group. It looks very interesting. I've got a small web page that shows what I've been doing since I got my Celestron CPC 1100XLT GPS telescope and decided that the tripod wasn't good enough. It's good for a few laughs, if nothing else. Take a look and feel superior (I know you'd never do some of the dumb things I did!) Comments, suggestions, and general abuse are welcome. eschew obfuscation
John
Oh. The link?
http://mysite.verizon.net/vzetul8j/johnseniura/
(Almost forgot)
Full Version: MD ED
Nice job John. How is your "on the surface" pier working out?
Hi John, and welcome to OC.
I love the idea that you had a base floor to build your observatory on! It always helps get a project started when part of it is built before you start.
Can't wait to see how you finish.
I love the idea that you had a base floor to build your observatory on! It always helps get a project started when part of it is built before you start.
Can't wait to see how you finish.
John...laugh if you wish, but I feel it shows ingenuity, as well as "out of the box" thinking, and I LIKE the solution you've come up with.
I'm sure when it's finished it will be something to be proud of, so keep up the good work, and don't be afraid to add a series of in process images in this website, even if you wait till it's finished to post a "short story" of your construction process and progress.
THANKS for sharing what you've done so far with us!!
Steve
I'm sure when it's finished it will be something to be proud of, so keep up the good work, and don't be afraid to add a series of in process images in this website, even if you wait till it's finished to post a "short story" of your construction process and progress.
THANKS for sharing what you've done so far with us!!
Steve
Hi, Pete,
The pier is a work in progress. It's very stable, but I still need to do some work on leveling the mount. It was perfect last fall, but it's about 1/2 bubble off now. I think the brass spacers I used are "settling" in slowly.
John
The pier is a work in progress. It's very stable, but I still need to do some work on leveling the mount. It was perfect last fall, but it's about 1/2 bubble off now. I think the brass spacers I used are "settling" in slowly.
John
Looking great!
And it sounds like you got your dome as an "Off the shelf" type thing from the distributer...
If your bolts in the pier are long enough, you can put nuts UNDER the wedge (with washers).. Use these to level.
And it sounds like you got your dome as an "Off the shelf" type thing from the distributer...
If your bolts in the pier are long enough, you can put nuts UNDER the wedge (with washers).. Use these to level.
Neo,
You are right, It must have been a really big shelf. The company is called Polydome. I think it was a stroke of genius for them to come up with this idea. It certainly is an option that was not available to those of us without a rich, dead aunt. (apologies to those who have recently experienced the demise of a female parental sibling)
You are right, It must have been a really big shelf. The company is called Polydome. I think it was a stroke of genius for them to come up with this idea. It certainly is an option that was not available to those of us without a rich, dead aunt. (apologies to those who have recently experienced the demise of a female parental sibling)
QUOTE(dudleyjohn @ Apr 8 2007, 05:13 AM) 
Neo,
You are right, It must have been a really big shelf. The company is called Polydome. I think it was a stroke of genius for them to come up with this idea. It certainly is an option that was not available to those of us without a rich, dead aunt. (apologies to those who have recently experienced the demise of a female parental sibling)
You are right, It must have been a really big shelf. The company is called Polydome. I think it was a stroke of genius for them to come up with this idea. It certainly is an option that was not available to those of us without a rich, dead aunt. (apologies to those who have recently experienced the demise of a female parental sibling)
(Still learning how to use this interface)
The bolts are too short to put nuts on them beneath the wedge. I'll probably machine something this summer. I couldn't find any 5/16" stainless steel couplers. Now that I'm using the dome, though, (now that you mention it) I might not need stainless steel. Thanks for reminding me.
John
John:
Who was the guy you ran into on the road who asked if it was an ExploraDome?
I'll bet it was "StarmanSteve" from CN. He's from northern MD...
Thinking "outside the box" is what these projects are all about and it looks like you're in the groove already! I'll be curious as to the long-term stability of the foundationless pier. If this works, then this could be a big hit with those out there who have a HOA (home owners' association) who would prevent them from putting in a subterranian pier. It'd be good for EDers and PODsters alike.
Thanks for posting! It's good to have you here!
Rich
Who was the guy you ran into on the road who asked if it was an ExploraDome?
I'll bet it was "StarmanSteve" from CN. He's from northern MD...
Thinking "outside the box" is what these projects are all about and it looks like you're in the groove already! I'll be curious as to the long-term stability of the foundationless pier. If this works, then this could be a big hit with those out there who have a HOA (home owners' association) who would prevent them from putting in a subterranian pier. It'd be good for EDers and PODsters alike.
Thanks for posting! It's good to have you here!
Rich
QUOTE(dudleyjohn @ Apr 8 2007, 05:13 AM)
Neo,
You are right, It must have been a really big shelf. The company is called Polydome. I think it was a stroke of genius for them to come up with this idea.
You are right, It must have been a really big shelf. The company is called Polydome. I think it was a stroke of genius for them to come up with this idea.
I guess you don't know the whole story...
Everyone here knows Polydome... This group here at OC (The Moderators), are the people who called Polydome and did the entire design with them. So when you come to this board, you are in fact talking to the original Design team.
So welcome aboard!
QUOTE(NeoDinian @ Apr 8 2007, 10:53 AM)
I guess you don't know the whole story...
Everyone here knows Polydome... This group here at OC (The Moderators), are the people who called Polydome and did the entire design with them. So when you come to this board, you are in fact talking to the original Design team.
So welcome aboard!
Everyone here knows Polydome... This group here at OC (The Moderators), are the people who called Polydome and did the entire design with them. So when you come to this board, you are in fact talking to the original Design team.
So welcome aboard!
Yep. The design team resides right here 
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