This completes the permanent pier project, a mounting custom built to hold the Meade Ultrawedge and the 12" LX90 GPS. This is my own design but borrows from others I have seen on the Internet. The big decision was wood versus steel (or aluminum). I finally chose wood as it has better vibration-dampening characteristics than steel. These are solid 1 1/2 inch thick pieces of oak plywood, glued and pressed together to form a top and a bottom plate. It is adjustable for leveling and there are adjustments to allow the Ultrawedge to be moved as well. This still uses a shortened version of the center bolt with the knob and Meade compass. The yellow bubble level I set in place on the front reads ... perfectly level. :)

Posted by Jim W Coleman at 07:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here, the 12" Meade LX90 sits atop the permanent pier, on a mount built specifically for this pier and for the Meade Ultrawedge. A power receptacle will allow the telescope, computers and other accessories to be plugged in without having wires crossing the floor of the observatory.

Posted by Jim W Coleman at 12:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

With the completion of the pier and electrical installations, I've finally hung the sign my father-in-law made for me ... right over the inside door to the observatory. :)

Posted by Jim W Coleman at 07:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)