Ian Thrax

Let me just say that I have been on the site for a while, but this is my first thread. So if this is the wrong place or I infringe any rules, codes of conduct, etc. It was not my intention and would ask the moderators to let me know ASAP. Part 1 the first attempt at a Roll on Roll off roof! I got into the hobby about a year ago and soon decided that I needed an observatory getting old and setting up on cold nights isn’t a good mix. Whilst looking for ideas and other peoples common sense solutions I found SGL, loads of great ideas especially on this forum, so a big thank you to all of the people whose ideas I just straight up pinched or pinched and modified (eventually) to suit what I had to work with. Made lots of mistakes along the way, plenty of rough carpentry, rougher electrics and terrible electronics. So sorry if I trigger the OCD crowd, but this is what I did with what I had, warts and all. I hope that if someone else is thinking of doing an Obsy build but are being put off by their lack of experience, that this (tongue in cheek) thread, and I am sure the comments it will generate, may just give them an idea of what to do or not to do and show them that even a complete Newbie like me can come up with a rudimentary obsy set up that is good enough, for me, if no one else. Didn't take too many photos during the build so excuse any gaps in pictures! What I started with. 4.32m x 3.24m Pent roof garden shed, full of garden stuff, bit damp, a bit leaky, but with light and electrics. Never got a full shot of the interior but this will give you an idea. First thing I decided was I needed a hand powered roll on roll off roof, wanted to keep it stealthy to fool the local villains, so no big framework with supports and guides for me, she who must be obeyed wouldn’t let me either! So, I went with 1 leg and large castors on the bottom, so with the roof closed it wouldn’t encroach on the beloved’s domain. I knew I would have to do something about the leverage on that or it would snap right off! So made a removable strut at about 45 degrees 1 mt long that went from roof to leg, sort of helped but was never going to be the solution! However, I could see the sky, cloudy as usual but I had an indoor view of the heavens! No pictures of the roof roller system, but it was 50mm fixed castors attached to the roof, running in 50 mm wide steel channel attached to shed, the whole thing must way 300lbs if it’s an ounce lumpy, and stiff could it be any better!! Well yes because one night that bloody leg snapped right off and left me standing there like Atlas, somehow with my life flashing before me I managed to get the roof pushed back far enough to be able to let go without it clobbering me, and thus was the first design flaw shown to me. After much pleading, jewellery purchases and promises of future gifts, she who must be obeyed, leased me the patio that I had paid for, and gave planning permission, hoorah. So, this is what I eventually ended up with, still hand operated, but with a lot less adrenalin involved which can only be good for my dicky ticker. To be continued, if there is any interest and the moderators don’t kick me out? Next instalment the eagle nebula also known as the creation of the pillar.