How to Install a Pier
Most amateur astronomers choose to install a pier for their observatory. Building a pier allows you to mount your telescope for optimal viewing. A pier is a solid concrete form which is mounted into the ground. Your observatory floor should be built on top of a pier to prevent vibration interference. You can choose to have the work professionally done or do it yourself.
Things You'll Need
- Shovel
- Square footing
- Concrete
- Sonotube form
- Rebar
- Wood or cement for floor
Instructions
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1
Dig a hole large enough to accommodate your footing. Your footing should be twice the width of your pier and as deep as the height of your pier.
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2
Put your footing into the hole. It is best to use a square footing as they are stronger then circular footings. With the footing in place, fill the hole with concrete.
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3
Pour concrete into a form to make your pier. The most commonly used form is a thick walled solid tube which is called a sonotube. After your concrete pier is fully dry, you can choose to either remove the sonotube or leave it on your pier.
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4
Place the dried pier onto the footing and pin it in place with rebar or a similar material. The pin should extend approximately one foot into the footing.
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5
Make the floor for your observatory out of either wood or cement. Be sure to leave a half-inch space between the pier and the observatory floor. If you mount the floor directly on to the pier, you will find that vibrations interfere with your viewing.
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Tips & Warnings
You could choose to hand mix cement for your pier, but you will find it is not as strong as ready mixed concrete you can purchase and have delivered. If your budget allows, it is better to use concrete.
