Mitchell Metal Shop & Welding Services

Serving North Texas & Southern Oklahoma , Est. 1988 ---"Been There- Done That!"

Home     About MMS     Commercial & Industrial     Oil/Gas Rig & Pipeline     Farm/Residential/Private     Astronomical Ware     CAATX     ITEMS FOR SALE     Payment Info     Contact Us      


MMS ASTRONOMICAL WARE

Mitchell Metal Shop Creates Astronomical Pier Posts, Adapter Plates, Wedges
&
Customized Astronomical Wares for the General Astronomy Community.


As a life long hobbyist/amateur astronomer, I have taken my astronomy hobby along with my metal working experiences and combined them both to help other amateur astronomers with their own astronomical needs within an affordable price range not found from the big commercial outfits...Astronomy should be a relaxing love and passion observing stars, not an expense- seeing red!


MMS also installs our own or another manufaturer's products within 200 miles of Sherman, Texas...


As a side note:
I am now in the process of designing and building a small amateur astronomical observatory here in my own community that I will use to help teach students at our small rural school the wonders of our universe and maybe spark an interest they might never have got the chance to explore elsewhere, much as I had the fortune of doing as a kid myself..So, I am actively looking for a large telescope at this time of a 12" to 16" primary set on an equatorial or forked/wedged mount with GPS/modern computer auto guiding to place in the structure when it is finished. I am selling personal property to help fund it at this time ( Click Here
) and I am looking for donations and equipment that is in good working order. The observatory will be placed on my own property which will avoid any conflicts of interests the planning and zoning board has within the consolidated school district. Keeping the observatory privatized will also avoid the troubles due to public funding from control conflicts that could arise from any rogue or bias district board and city councils. Once complete, I will be conducting open house for local students interested on monthly basis, throughout the school year and hope to have the structure under construction by the end of 2011.
Hopefully the Texoma Astronomical Observatory will enlighten and open the universe to all that peer through our telescope.




MMS CUSTOM PIER POSTS
:


(Pier post shown is adapted for a Super Wedges install)

TYPICAL PIER POST PRICING VARIES AS TO THE JOB, SPEC AND OVERALL SIZE.
 STARTING FROM $650 for single/non-powered post and up to $2000 (complete with adapter plate and/or wedge).
Posts are built to customer's specifications and needs...Pricing does not include shipping/freight charges.

Other BIG Brand Name Pier Companies deal out the same or less quality at "astronomical" prices, here is just one example:

Astro Pier prices with NO power outlet or hook-up options:

Pier Height
30"
36"
42"
48"
54"
8" Pier O D
$1,495
$1,595
$1,695
$1,795
$1,895
10" Pier O D
$1,695
$1,795
$1,895
$1,995
$2,095
12" Pier O D
$1,895
$1,995
$2,095
$2,195
N/A
They are big name and have their reasons to charge so much... I'm just a family guy trying to get by and raise my kids, folks!
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~MMS STANDARD PIER POSTS PRICING*~~~~~
As you will see below, I charge much, much less for my ware-  BAR NONE!
As an example, for a standard pier post with NO power outlets,
I affectionately call these the "Plain Jane"...
Here is my current 2010 prices:
MMS "Plain Jane" Standard Pier Height
30"
36"
42"
48"
54"
6" Pier O D*  No power outlets
$650
$675
$800
$850
$900
8" Pier O D*  No power outlets
$700
$775
$830
$900
$999
10" Pier O D* No power outlets
$849
$890
$900
$999
  $1100
(Examples of the MMS Standard Pier Post designations:  a 6"x 42" is called a "642" and a  8"x 48" is designated as a "848" and so on.)
*Please note: Prices are subject to change somewhat due to unforeseen inflationary costs as to material market costs.
*SHIPPING CHARGES ARE EXTRA.

Note: As you see I do not offer a 12" post.
I have only once been commissioned to build a 12" diameter pier post with a four-way power
 outlet and switch, it was priced at $2000 for 54" tall with a 16"x 18" top plate/16" bottom plate, less shipping.



FYI:
The most popular size bought by most amateur astronomers is the MMS Standard "642" model.
It seems it is just the right size for the needs of most private and amateur applications, over all.
Your needs may be different, however.... So, if your needs of a special configuration are required,
 don't hesitate to inquire and let's see what I can do for you!



~~~PREMIUM MMS POWERED PIER POSTS~~~

Tired of tripping over in the dark on extension cords??
Rid your observatory of pesky extension cords for good!
UPGRADE YOUR PLAIN JANE MMS PIER POST-- ADD 110 volt POWER OUTLETS !!
Hard Wired & Grounded,  Built INTO the post, FLUSH MOUNTED & RECESSED- Not sticking out!
STANDARD UL LISTED RECEPTACLES, Tested and Ready to Install in your Observatory!
ALL MMS Powered Pier Posts also have as standard: 
2' length of ROMEX wire pulled through the bottom plate for you to connect up to.
ALL outlets have cover plates.

2-Way Outlet:
Standard Pier Height
30"
36"
42"
48"
54"
6" Pier O D*  With 2-way power outlet   
  $870   
   $895  
   $1020   
  $1070 
   $1120 
8" Pier O D*  With 2-way power outlet
$925
$995
$1050
  $1120
  $1219
10" Pier O D* With 2-way power outlet
$1069
  $1110
$1120
  $1219
   $1320
(Examples of the MMS Premium Pier Post w/ 2 way designations:  a 6"x 42" is called a "642-2" and a  8"x 48" is designated as a "848-2" and so on.)
*Please note: Prices are subject to change somewhat due to unforeseen inflationary costs as to material market costs.
*SHIPPING CHARGES ARE EXTRA.


4-Way Outlet:
Standard Pier Height
30"
36"
42"
48"
54"
6" Pier O D*  With 4-way power outlet   
  $900   
   $925  
   $1050   
  $1100 
   $1170 
8" Pier O D*  With 4-way power outlet
$955
$1025
$1080
  $1150
  $1249
10" Pier O D* With 4-way power outlet
$1099
  $1140
$1160
  $1259
   $1350
(Examples of the MMS Premium Pier Post designations:  a 6"x 42" is called a "642-4" and a  8"x 48" is designated as a "848-4" and so on.)
*Please note: Prices are subject to change somewhat due to unforeseen inflationary costs as to material market costs.
*SHIPPING CHARGES ARE EXTRA.




ADD AN ON/OFF SWITCH FOR ONLY $100!
ADD A STANDARD MALE PLUG to plug it into a power cord/outlet FOR $25 more!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~


SHIPPING INFO:
* Pier Post Shipping Charges within DOMESTIC USA^, as of June 2010:
6" post, no power=  $150, with power= $170
8" post, no power= $170, with power=$190
10" post, no power= $190, with power=$210

^ International orders, please inquire.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~


CLOUDY NIGHTS AND NIGHT SKIES NETWORK MEMBERS:

Want 5% off  your purchase?

If you are a current member of Cloudy Nights Telescope Review, just give me your CN member # and ID name and you will receive 5% off!

  Are you a member and current broadcaster on Night Skies Network?  If you are, you can receive 5% off,too!  Just let me know!!





OTHER NEEDED PIER COMPONENTS:

ANCHOR BOLTS FOR CONCRETE PIERS:
I can also provide a template with FOUR 1/2" L-bolts/nuts/washers for you to use
during your observatory construction to embed into your concrete pier prior to post install for  $75 plus $25 shipping
Template only, $45 plus $10 shipping





CUSTOM ASTRONOMICAL ADAPTER/PIER PLATES

               FROM THIS...                                                                                           TO THIS...
                                                               
                                                                                                                                    
PLATES VARY FROM $300, up to $900 depending on type, material and size and the over all work needed to create...
Plates are built to customer's design specifications and tolerances.
Pricing does not include shipping/freight charges


TESTIMONIALS & REFERENCES:
Here are some comments as to my work and products:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AL Davis, from Brooklyn, Michigan (email)
Custom adapter pier plate for a CELESTRON 9.25" SCT on a CGEM Mount


 "The adapter fits so well it looks like an integral part of the mount,
it all came together nicely, the slots provide plenty of adjustment...
Turns out, with the bolts in the middle of the slots, the adapter is square with the pier, perfect !
...I will spread the word about what you do and our collaboration."
                                                                                                            AL Davis


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



CUSTOM WEDGES:


PIC


 WEDGE PRICING VARIES AS TO THE JOB SPEC AND SIZE STARTING FROM $300....
All wedges are built to customer's required azmuth specification with adjustable tolerances of +/- 5 degrees of travel.
Pricing does not include shipping/freight charges





THE MMS OBSERVATORY KIT PROJECT:
WE ARE GETTING CLOSER TO PRODUCTION!!!

MMS is working on a new steel frame/sheet metal dome design at this time and will be offering it in the near future...
  
                            It will look similar to this:                                          However, the dome will have eight segments:                                     

Pricing at this time has not been determined, as this project is in the working stages and
 has not been estimated as to it's overall costs to manufacture/crate/ship.
However, we now have a growing waiting list for pre-orders now and many inquiries!
We will contact our prospective customers as we get closer to releasing them to the public for sale.

The MSS Observatory will be available in several kit forms and shipped out with complete
 instructional details as to it's assembly of the prefabricated components and also,
the MMS Observatory Kit will include all components needed for assembly by purchaser on site:

ALL STANDARD KITS will include:
Blueprint/Instructions,
  NP1 sealant,
Various bolts and nuts for assembly,
Drill bits, pop rivets,
Also, MMS will have telephone/email support, if needed.

----------------------

The MMS PRE-FAB Observatory:
will be built in pre-assembled parts here at MMS,
and transported to your site within 200 miles of Sherman, Texas for additional costs.
Assembly on site will also be available for at additional cost.

----------------------

We also offer an optional MMS TOOL PACKAGE for you to build your observatory if you need tools (additional charges apply):
Lincoln Weld Pak 100 MIG wire welder(or it's equivalent),
MIG weld wire,
Welding helmet,
Welder's gloves,
Four 11R ViseGrip clamps,
4 1/2" angle grinder,
 one cut-off wheel,
one grinding disk,
one brush wheel,
3/8" electric drill,
 various needed extra drill bits.
Standard caulking tube gun,
extra NP1 caulk.
25" Stanley tape measure


 To reserve your MMS Observatory , contact us today!
When contacting about an inquiry of wishing to be added on the waiting list for the MMS Observatory,
please include in the subject line "Inquiry about MMS Obs".







MORE GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT MMS ASTRONOMICAL WARE:

 Some ask me, do I have this or that, the answer is simply:
NO, I do not.
I normally do not keep a large pre-built stock ready to ship out, as every customer's needs are different and I do not wish to have a lot of stock laying around I will never sell or use, it's such a waste of metal and my time to prefab a lot of stock. I am not a big outfit.

 Sometime I may have one to sell at reduced pricing....
These you will see on eBay.. look up: mitchellmetalshop_com , there you will find my auction sales.

I do, however, work with each customer as they contact me, sending design specs and perhaps a drawing or two for reference, from there I will work out the bugs, if any, as to dimensions and costs with the customer BEFORE I ever start work, so we both know what will be the end result. I charge accordingly as to my work and the material's overall cost to purchase and ship from my various suppliers from around the Dallas area. Most projects can take up to a month to produce, so patients from the customer is paramount.
 If I am pushed and hurried, the overall quality can be diminished and I don't want that, neither does the customer!






PURCHASING AND SHIPPING INFO:

PURCHASING POLICY:
In the past,I have bought material and tooling for several projects, and even finished some,  only to have customers then decide to back out  or not pay for the item and I am stuck with something I cannot use or need taking up space in my shop, and or have to pay my suppliers restocking charges and having materials that is cut up or produced that cannot be sent back anyway...

Being said, as a result, I now have a requirement of full payment upfront to cover all costs as to material, tooling and work done needed for projects. So , if you are having second thoughts, please don't pay or order, I wish to do the best I can with what I have for all my customers,
so if it is a stretch to pay, please save us both the time and energy. I hope you understand.
                                                                                                                                                            Thank You!
                                                                                                                                                                                      Wylie Mitchell

PAYMENTS:
To make a payment, you can go the "Payment Info" page.
Please confirm your payment with an additional email after your purchase,
this is so I can cross confirm your order and PayPal payment and get started on your project.


 SHIPPING:
After production of item(s), they are weighed to figure the shipping costs, after which,
the customer is then sent an email and/or called as to the shipping...
Once shipping payment is sent I can send item fast to my customer..
I could set a flat fee for shipping, but it could be more or less as to the actual cost of  shipping..
not good for my customers back pocket nor my overall business expense...
My Ebay Auctions and Buy Now's have shipping already calculated.

I wish to produce the best product I can for my customer at the best price possible for custom, handmade one-of-a-kind items - BAR NONE!!