pier material suitability

I have been offered (gratis) 6 pieces of 1/4" stainless pipe 5 1/2 " OD, each 24 1/2" long. Nicely welded 6 bolt flange on each end. I'm trying to determine if it would be suitable for a pier for my NexStar11GPS. The diameter seems a bit small, but the price is right. I'll be buying a wedge soon, and spend 1/2 my time imaging.

Whaddaya think?

Thanks,
Shawn

Stainless steel is good, but the diameter is awfully narrow for imaging purposes.
If you only use a 24" section it might work.
Filling it with sand or concrete doesn't really add any strength to the pier.
Here are some numbers from Dennis Persyk to help you decide:
http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=1275

dan kowall

Before you give up on this project, I offer a couple more ideas. If it were me, I would consider welding 'gussets' connecting between each pipe. Weld them near top and near bottom. So you would end up with 6 gussets. Or you could weld box tubing or smaller diameter stainless pipe in place of gussets. More detail work would be involved here as you would need to cut the ends to fit curvatures. This would be very strong as it would be triangulated. Bolting bracing would not accomplish much. Along with a top plate (welded too) you would have one strong pier. Run long J bolts from the bottom flanges into your poured base...weld these too.

You could place 'trays' on top of gussets/tubing/pipe for storing accessories which would be clever. You could also run wiring/cableing up through the center which would be nice.

Keep in mind the further you spread the original three 'mini-piers' apart, the wider (or bigger diameter) your gussets should be.

Remember too to keep in mind provision for leveling and azimuth adjustments for your top plate to wedge.

Price some scrap stainless tubing/sheet (Boeing surplus?/scrap metal yard/plumbing supplies) make some basic plans, go to a welding shop and get a cost estimate...fun to plan and see if its worth the effort...and let us know!