Building a pier (connection between EQ6-R Pro and pier) - Forums

Topic starter

Mar 25, 2023

My summer project among other things, will be building a pier. I can see there are different connectors that can be used between the pier and an EQ6-R Pro (my mount).
So wanted to hear what peoples experience was and if there is anything to avoid or something to get?

Engaging

Tim McCollum

Mar 26, 2023

You might consider maybe having a round or square plate on top of the pier and then an adapter for your mount, this way if you ever change mounts you can just make another adapter.
I have a Linak lift pier on top of my concrete pier because when I built it I just envisioned doing visual. The top of it is rectangular and I have had 2 different mounts on it.
Tim

Patrick

Mar 26, 2023

Starizona has an excellent adapter kit to go between the pier and the EQ6R-Pro mount. They also sell the pier extender to place between the pier adapter and the mount that you may need to help avoid the scope hitting the pier, depending on your configuration (that is also effective with the tripod). You of course need to put the correct threaded studs in the pier, or have some sort of interface plate between.
I have used both and was very happy with them. The Starizona kit is rock solid but the pier extender has to be really tight to avoid movement.
I saw a substantial improvement in tracking accuracy when I went to a concrete pier.

An alternative solution may be to buy a pier adapter from Nexdome, specific to the EQ6R mount, and install the corresponding bolt pattern in the pier. You may still need the pier extender. The advantage of this would be that they sell a lot of different adapters for different mounts so if/when you change mounts it would be fairly straightforward to purchase a new adapter to match. They also sell metal piers.

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Patrick

Mar 26, 2023

I just saw Tim’s response and second his suggestion to include a round or square plate on top of the pier. It gives you more flexibility going forward.

Well Written

Joe Linington

Mar 26, 2023

Many people make a pier adapter out of a Chevy Malibu rear disc brake rotor for the EQ6R. There is a whole thread on cloudy nights. Costs $20-30 instead of hundreds.

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lensflaredk

Topic starter

Mar 26, 2023

Joe Linington:
Many people make a pier adapter out of a Chevy Malibu rear disc brake rotor for the EQ6R. There is a whole thread on cloudy nights. Costs $20-30 instead of hundreds.

I think I am in the wrong country for that

But having a "standard top" where I can use different connectors to, is a great idea.

Alejandro López

Mar 26, 2023

Have you checked Baader Short-Steel Pilar III? This is the one I have bought for my observatory (together with the Baader EQ6R adapter required for the stell pillar).

I have not installed them yet, but the short-steel pillar is directly inserted on the 6 threaded rods I have installed in the pier (no need to install an additional plate).

Take a look on this!

Clear skies.

Concise

Daniel DeSclafani

Mar 26, 2023

I just took the adapter off of the tripod and stuck it on the top of my pier.

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