Small Tasks

Other than preparing dinner like I usually do, I accomplished one small task this evening.  As I mentioned in a previous blog entry, I designed a telescope mount pier extension and I am in the process of building it.  

When I wrote that blog entry, I had just spray painted the parts and was waiting on them to cure.  I waited about 48 hours and then started on the next step.

I have six 1/4-20 threaded inserts that need to be inserted into six holes.  I had pre-drilled these holes before painting but I hadn't double checked the depth of the holes...  I simply eye-balled it.  Well...  as luck would have it...  these holes were not deep enough so it was back to the drill press.

This evening, I drilled those six holes about a 1/4" deeper.  These inserts fit perfectly now.  

The next step will be to drill holes in the 4-1/2" x 12" pipe that is the actual extension.  I have six corresponding holes to drill in that pipe.  I marked those holes this morning so the pipe is now ready to be drilled.  Unfortunately, I think I'll need to repaint after drill those holes.  When I marked the pipe to find the exact centers of the six holes, I ended up with marks where they will be visible even after I drill the holes.  So, I'll drill the holes and then do another quick two coats of spray paint.