Just Sharing This 4.5" to 3" Pole Adapter

M

moonbase

Small Dish Man
My Satellite Setup
.
My Location
UK
Hi,

Just in case anyone has a need for a pole adapter to allow a polar mount or motor with a 3" cap to fit onto a 4.5" pole I have attached the specification drawing that I used to get one made up by a local fabricator. Compared to the equivalent pole adapter sold by SSS there is a good saving to be made by getting one fabricated.

The two sections of steel pipe for the adapter were purchased cut to size from eBay and delivered directly to the fabricator, links pasted below. The fabricator supplied the nuts and the middle plate that joins the two pipe sections.

The drawing can be used for various size pole adapters, simply change the measurements to suit the need.

3" Steel Pipe (eBay)
Mild Steel Pipe 76.2mm(3") x 4mm - 200mm long - Round Tube | eBay

5" Steel Pipe (eBay)
Mild Steel Pipe 127mm (5") x 3mm - 200mm long - Chimney? - Round Tube

Specification Drawing in attached picture


Rgds
 

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Bought these...

2017-03-18 11.42.51.webp

Instead of permanently welding the 3" tube to the 5" one, I will make it interchangeable. Who knows what I'll be putting on it next. Also, will allow me to adjust all 4 corners for plumbness.

Found a local place who will galvanise the finished bits for £30 - decent enough price for a peace of mind.
 
Instead of paying £30 for galvanizing metal which also costed some ££, I would buy them made of INOX. But, OK, those will also do the job.
 
I can source a 3" INOX tube but couldn't find the 5" one. Besides, the price difference INOX and mild steel is quite substantial, so not much saved anyway.
 
Did you think about square-pipes? They are available in different sizes and wall thickness. But, as I've said, what you got is also fine.
 

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Captain Jack said:
Bought these...

View attachment 105004

Instead of permanently welding the 3" tube to the 5" one, I will make it interchangeable. Who knows what I'll be putting on it next. Also, will allow me to adjust all 4 corners for plumbness.
Found a local place who will galvanise the finished bits for £30 - decent enough price for a peace of mind.
Click to expand...

CJ,

The 3" rubber end cap is almost essential to stop the 3" section filling with water. I suppose you could drill a drain hole in the interface plate if an end cap was not fitted?
Out of interest, where did you source the metal, was it eBay or a metal stockist?

I think I see the plan, weld one piece of pipe to each plate then bolt the two plates together? Nice idea, meccano for satellite with interchangeable sizes.

I hope its an improvement for you compared with the SSS unit

Rgds
 
I was hoping to weld it shut with the metal cap that you see in the picture but the whole thing needs to be vented for galvanising, hence the plastic one.

I considered the drain hole instead but it would have made a good home for spiders who I don't to live in there!
 
Started on this today, except before I could get any further, I realised that my 3" pole is shorter than the one I have. Measure once, cut twice and all that... oh, wait.. Ordered some new bits - again - so will continue once I receive those.

5" pole TIG welded to a 6mm plate.

2017-03-26 12.19.00.webp

3" pole welded to 6mm plate.

2017-03-26 12.40.09.webp
2017-03-26 12.40.16.webp
 
Thanks - it took a lot of practice to get them looking like this. Hopefully this translates to a strong joint.
 
They certainly look good to me. Have a house point!
 
Done a little more today with the new pole. Wasn't sure why I was getting crap welds but then I realised that I ran out of argon gas o_O Will tidy those welds up once the new bottle arrives.

2017-04-06 18.47.56.webp
2017-04-06 18.47.34.webp
 
... Credit where credit's due, for a non professional welder -- that looks a pretty damn good respectable job .
 
John said:
... Credit where credit's due, for a non professional welder -- that looks a pretty damn good respectable job .
Click to expand...

Agreed :)
 
CJ,

That's a good piece of work you have done there, it looks very nice, you can be pleased with yourself with that job, well done.

Rgds
 
I would have just threaded the 4 inch pole and used a 3" to 4" bell reducer and an appropriate length 3 inch pipe nipple, (all galvanized) all this can be had at most hardware/plumbing stores.(and be sure to use some pipe joint compound to keep things water tight)

Any plumber could do the threadding job.

Unless your into doing the job yourself and have the time.
 
P.S. A very nice job on the welding, I wish I could do that good, most of mine looks like a 3rd grader did it.
 
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