fwm891

Well done Mark, superb event - I know you have at least one new member for Hereford Astro. Great final discussion on what the future may hold - perhaps different rocket power....

I've never owed a Meade scope but I have owned a few Celestron SCT style optics. Currently have an 8 inch Edge HD and every pleased with it. I use it for photography with its flat focal plane and cameras DX and smaller formats. Keep an eye on the classified section here and UKAB&S...

Few photos of the start of installing the insulation and internal lining. I nearly got the shiplap to match across the door with the side panels. Also a shot of the door folded fully back against the end wall giving me full door opening access. The final image shows the tracks. The nearest is removeable being held in position with the temporary metal pin. When the pin is removed the track slides outwards and can be stored inside the obsy. The rear track I decided to fix as it is against the fence and doesn't interfere with other areas. I've added a brace to maintain the track direction and stability. The near track has some flexibility when the roof opens/closes with the 'Vee' wheels engaged on the track.

Doing it to even out temperature changes. Especially the roof as the edpm will absorb a lot of heat and the foil laminations on the insulation should reflect some straight back out.

Re the C5 cap - use Velcro rather than tape.

Insulation going in today, cladding as well if time permits.

If he fixes it I know where it needs to go...…..😥

Mine....

Door made today. I've used a pair of deeper bodied hinges so the door will fully open and lay back onto the end panel of the obsy. https://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/product/double-phosphor-bronze-washered-hinge-100x100x4mm-polished-brass-pair-734140 Need to sort out a lock and some internal hardware to secure the obs both closed and open. Photo to follow...

Thanks ALL @ FLO. Mine has arrived too -- rock solid on the Tri-pier!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_astronomical_catalogues

Been away for a week so everything stalled but progress made today with the track supports enabling me to take the roof back to almost it's full travel. Still to fit some stop blocks so left it short by about 200 mm. Few views of the basic structure as it stands today. Insulation, linings and a floor still to fit. Continue today firming up the track rails. The fence side I've made so it remains in situ only the garden side is removed after each session or as required. Photo 4 below shows the roof and tree tops from approx scope/mount position.

Weathered tree - Tarn Hows, lake District 2019. Panasonic Lumix GX80 12-32mm lens.

Mine still arriving Monday 😀👍

It moves.... Not far yet as I have no track extensions in place

Both end frames are now complete plus few more piece of shiplap added to the back end and one side. Try to get the remaining side and door end clad today...

Tonka or otherwise 🤔

The wheel housing. The wheel sits inside a cut out from 100x47 (4x2) just bigger than it's profile. This housing then sits between two of the wall posts and held in place with a pair of heavy screws. If at some point I need to do any maintenance on the wheels I can just remove the housing without having to dismantle the obs to get at it.

Pleased with progress this morning. I had most of the components cut out to shape yesterday, just had to cut the housings in the ridge board this morning so things could begin to get assembled. I joined the rafters to the ridge board in the workshop and carried that out as an assembly. Then built each of the side assemblies, carried them out, cl;amped them in place and lifted the rafters onto them. The roof frame over the door is different to the others but that will only get done once the track and wheels are in position and I can fit the frame clearances to the build. I'll try and cut the track and make the wheel housings later today as they can be done in the workshop should the rain return... I served a 4 year apprenticeship in woodmachining too many years ago to think about now before changing to photography. I like to keep my hand in with wood although timber of this size not often!

Made a test rafter assembly this morning - that was OK so I've now made all the components for the other rafter assemblies (6 total). Now need to work on the ridge board. Photos show it without the wheels/track in place so finasl height will be about 25mm higher (1 inch) ! The long horizontal piece is just there to clamp to while I check around to make sure it sits on guide lines.

More shiplap added today - few shorts to finish the fixed part of the build + the bottom row all round...

Two days off then back to work on the obsy today: braces, DPC, some of the moisture barrier and one wall of shiplap. Need to modify a length at the bottom - reduce it's width and cut a drip groove in the bottom edge. Hopefully do some more tomorrow...

I have a helper to keep the rain running off the obsy site... (Boris!)

Well I had to make a model to confirm that the extension rail support would work. Built to a scale of 1cm to 1 inch. Photo 1 shows the extension in place with a locking pin in place Photo 2 shows the two parts with the joint part closed Photo 3 shows effectively what sticks out from the rear wall of the obsy Photo 4 shows the joint closed with the locking pin - no aluminium plate (there would be an aluminium plate on both sides of each extension frame(2)) Photo 5 Joint part closed The Obsy end wall is a piece of OSB in the model - will be shiplap on final build The aluminium plate also shown as OSB but will be Aluminium for the build.

OK decision made (for me), SHMBO separate extension frames it is. I've been looking through lots of ironmongery catalogues but apart from some gate hardware nothing really fitted the requirements so I've come up with what I feel will be a solution: The fixed part of the rail and it's support timbers will extend slightly (100-120) from the end of the obsy rear wall each side. Ali corner plates fitted each side of each extension frame will have a 16mm brass pin inserted through to link the extension with the fixed wall. The bottom of the extension leg will sit in a socket to take the initial weight of the extension frame while the pin is inserted. A socket is formed by the ali plates and track timbers at the top to align the extension track with the fixed track. Hopefully the sketch will help. I'll do a better job of the drawing or a mock-up at a smaller scale