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New Observatory Build Started!


richyrich_one

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Hi

I've finally, after reading up on the various methods employed, started my own build.

It didn't take many imaging setups to realise an observatory was the only practical solution. Going for a simple (as possible) ROR design, 3.6m x 2.4m.

Site cleared and roughly levelled. Looking South, roof rolling off to the north.

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Pier hole dug, about 600mm x 700mm x 650mm deep. Hope that's big enough.

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Going for a 2.4m x 2.4m scope room and 2.4m x 1.2m warmish area. Not planning on insulating as I do everything remotely but be good to have somewhere out of the dew for the laptop etc.

Gravel, sand and cement for the pier base arriving tomorrow from Wickes so things are starting to move at last. I've been planning this for ages it seems and i just need to get on with it now!

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Thanks guys.

I'll try and post pics as and when progress is made.

If anyone sees me about to do anything stupid please let me know. Although I would put myself down as a competent diyer this is all new to me and I wouldn't even be attempting this if it wasn't for everyone else's efforts.

I have a sketchup model of the design I'll post later.

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Just shifted the sand and cement round the back and decided that's probably it for today as far as the concrete in concerned. Far too hot for hard work(mixing by hand :eek: )

I have a bit of planning and jigging to do to get the first section of pier in the right position before I get pouring.

Going for this type of pier, cheap, simple and I rent so need to be able to leave minimal signs should I have to move. 3 blocks attached with 14mm stainless bolts. The plan is to embed half of the first block in the concrete base then bolt the rest to it.

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I have a question about wall construction.

Of all the builds I've seen on here none seem to employ a void between the cladding and breather membrane.

From my research this seems to be the accepted method of construction. With the void in place any weather that does get through can drain and the outer cladding can dry easily. It also prevents any moisture reaching the inner wall.

What are everyone's thoughts on this? Is there a good reason why this isn't employed? What have I missed?

It would add only a small extra cost of roofing battens and stainless gauze top and bottom to prevent pest ingress.

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I have a question about wall construction.

Of all the builds I've seen on here none seem to employ a void between the cladding and breather membrane.

From my research this seems to be the accepted method of construction. With the void in place any weather that does get through can drain and the outer cladding can dry easily. It also prevents any moisture reaching the inner wall.

What are everyone's thoughts on this? Is there a good reason why this isn't employed? What have I missed?

It would add only a small extra cost of roofing battens and stainless gauze top and bottom to prevent pest ingress.

That's the way to build a 'cold roof' so it makes sense to do the walls the same way, I'll be doing it that way, mentioned it in this thread: http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/242174-my-new-shed/?p=2679879

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Ready for the pour!

I've changed the pier design slightly. I am now embedding a length of stainless M14 bar in the base to attach the first block to. I was going to lose more pier height than I was happy with by embedding upto half of the first block. It also makes it simpler to do.

Just need a big enough time slot. I have no idea ( I could just stop there...) how long it's going to take mixing by hand.

post-36192-0-79878300-1435841114_thumb.j

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Ready for the pour!

I've changed the pier design slightly. I am now embedding a length of stainless M14 bar in the base to attach the first block to. I was going to lose more pier height than I was happy with by embedding upto half of the first block. It also makes it simpler to do.

Just need a big enough time slot. I have no idea ( I could just stop there...) how long it's going to take mixing by hand.

attachicon.gifIMG_20150702_101413.jpg

Hire a mixer, a small one will do, shovel the dry stuff in, mix, tip it straight down the hole....

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Hire a mixer, a small one will do, shovel the dry stuff in, mix, tip it straight down the hole....

Yesterday, I would have said, nah it'll be fine, it's not that much...

Today, I wish I had hired a mixer.

First I tried mixing with a shovel on an existing slab with an over-ambitious amount of mix. That was a killer!

Then I moved to smaller amounts mixing in a wheel barrow with a rake. Much easier on the back but slow going. Took pretty much all day and if it wasn't for my wife helping I really don't think I would have got it done that day.

Still, all done now and it can only get easier. I covered the final layer in plastic and then set the first block over the protruding thread and was then able to adjust the level in the wet but quite firm concrete.

All tucked up for the cure...

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I could cheer you up by showing you the 50' high willow tree that blocks out my eastern sky almost to the zenith.

Quick question, how easy are the blocks to drill? I have a reasonable hammer drill but really basic masonary bits. Thanks.

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I could cheer you up by showing you the 50' high willow tree that blocks out my eastern sky almost to the zenith.

Quick question, how easy are the blocks to drill? I have a reasonable hammer drill but really basic masonary bits. Thanks.

Dead easy, I don't even have a hammer drill.

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • 2 weeks later...

Nice size plot and cracking southern aspect.. Looking at your site, might you suffer drainage issues or slumping of the enbankment at the far end in times of high precipitation, or are you adding a retainer wall to hold it back?

Good job so far!

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Thanks. 

I hope there'll be no runoff issues with the adjoining field. I may add some kind of retaining solution at the back but not wishing to throw much money at it. I was hoping with the 3 inches of gravel drainage wouldn't be a problem. 

Slow going at the moment, hopefully things will take off soon when I can decide on a timber supplier. 

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  • 2 weeks later...

Progress so far... All the slabs are down and the critical ones that will have the "piers" on are levelled. I added a make-shift retaining wall made from slabs and tied together along the top with deck screws into a piece of 3x2, it's not quite level but it won't be seen any way. Thanks to Dark Horizon fo alerting me to that, I feel much happier about it now. Still not quite sure what to do with the ground on the sides but I can always do that later. Need to get this up and running.

The eagle-eyed among you will notice a slight misplacement of the pier, it's about 50mm off centre. Of course this was entirely intentional and I will post the reason when I can think of one. :grin:

As you can see from the picture the timber for the base has arrived...

Just kidding, some nice new treated 6x2s and cladding delivered on Tuesday. Still need to find a cheap supply of treated 38x63 CLS, so far Wickes is the cheapest at 3.49 each for 10+

I still haven't really finalised the design, possibly having a fold down southern wall. The ideal would be a lower western wall aswell but I want the door on the western side so it can be seen from the house. I need to get the base done and set the scope up and see what wall height I can get away with.

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