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New Observatory build

mert

By mert
in DIY Observatories

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mert

mert

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Hi Folks

After getting really fed up lugging the scope in and out from the house at all hours it's time for an observatory.

Starting a build next week (Sat) it will be a 10x6 shed with a run off roof, I have help from a mate who's a joiner, we expect to get it done in 3 days or so, another day perhaps to sort out an issues.

I'm going for a small warm room, 3.5 ft wide, enough for a pull down shelf, line it with polystyrene sheets for insulation, so finally I can have a go at astrophotography.

I ordered the wood required from a local builder for £50 inc delivery. The polystyrene from eBay £40, the shed was £319 inc a base, I have paving stones, quick drying cement, 12 100mm fixed castors £40 etc etc

I'll update nightly as the build goes. :blob10:

I would appreciate any input or tips.

Thanks

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mert

mert

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good luck and at least the weather is warming up

Yes hope it stays like this

You going for a pier to mount the kit on?

No pier for now, maybe something I'll look into later.

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mert

mert

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How d'you plan to mount the scope? Are you going to put a hole in the floor for a pillar?

I'm making a pillar soon, so for now the scope will be mounted on its stand. I've used the scope in the observatory shell and there's plenty of room, once thing I had to do was make sure the base was solid.

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Astrokev

Astrokev

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I'm making a pillar soon, so for now the scope will be mounted on its stand. I've used the scope in the observatory shell and there's plenty of room, once thing I had to do was make sure the base was solid.

So are you going to sink the pillar into the ground beneath the floor?

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malc-c

malc-c

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As Gina has stated, wheels on the roof section are protected against the elements so have less chance of rusting / seizing. But a lot is down to personal preference, especially if you are trying to camouflage the structure to look like a "normal" shed

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mert

mert

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looking good mert - one thing I wondered about was the wheel system, some roll offs I see wheels down (attached to roof) and some like yours wheels up - is there any preferable setup or is it just down to personal preference ?

Hi

I have 6 wheels on either side, the roof always rests on 4 wheels at the same time, it's very smooth and glides along when pushed, you can do it with one hand, 4 inner bolts secure the roof, the roof has been reinforced inside so it's quite heavy, having the wheels up, was easier for me. :)

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mert

mert

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As Gina has stated, wheels on the roof section are protected against the elements so have less chance of rusting / seizing. But a lot is down to personal preference, especially if you are trying to camouflage the structure to look like a "normal" shed

The problem was the width of the wheel base, attaching them to the roof was too much work, for me anyway :) having them attached to the beam was easy and they are secure, I could also fine tune the height easily of each wheel so they are perfectly level on either side, the roof runs so smoothly.

I have a box of spare wheels incase the do rust, they are also greased up, 20 wheels cost me £62 in total.

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mert

mert

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My next job is the warm room, already been sealed and the polystyrene cut and put in place, I'm having a small perspex windows installed, this is a job for this weekend :)

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mert

mert

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Just a suggestion, I would brace the run off rails a little more, either diagonal at the ends or with a further upright midway along the rail. Like this

I have braced the ends, you may be able to see it in my last pics, no need for the middle brace as the supports are in concrete, they are solid. :)

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malc-c

malc-c

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Yeah, but from the last image the brace is at the bottom. To me it looks like the rails are attached to the side of the end support (presumably by a couple of screws or a bolt) - No diagonal bracing there

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