Plywood Dome and DIY Pier

[Gina]

That dome looks lovely - very neat job My only concern is that if the sky door is hinged upwards it would catch the wind.

[MikeG247]

Thanks Gina, the door is split in 2 with only the top half hinged so its not that bad but it does catch the wind a bit on a gusty day. It has gas stuts holding it open so its pretty solid. If the wind was that bad to blow it around I probably wouldn't be imaging anyhow

[MikeG247]

Gas struts that should read

[red dwalf]

one tallanted man, get build Mike

[MikeG247]

Thank you

[r3i]

You should be very proud of your workmanship - it looks magnificent, a work of art Looks quite roomy too.

[MikeG247]

Thanks. I built a 2.2 meter one a few years back and it was a bit too small. This one at 3.0 meters is much bigger and roomy. Don't think I'll ever feel the need to build a bigger one

[dmahon]

And 64k of RAM is enough for anyone.

[mrflipflop]

Hi Mile, I've just joined this forum, and your observatory looks great, I would love to make one the same and just trying to work out how you formed the 4mm plywood to make the dome without it splitting, any help would be appreciated

Trevor

[Cornelius Varley]

Hi Mile, I've just joined this forum, and your observatory looks great, I would love to make one the same and just trying to work out how you formed the 4mm plywood to make the dome without it splitting, any help would be appreciated

Trevor

You might not get a reply from Mike to your question, he has not visited the forum for two years. It might be better to start a new thread asking the same question.  4mm ply should be easy to bend  if you soak it with hot water to make it flexible.

[mrflipflop]

Ok thank you, sorry I'm a bit slowe as I'm all new to this sort of technology.

[Skipper Billy]

4mm ply is very easy to bend if you wet the outside of the curve or better still (if you have several panels to make) knock up a steamer - just a vessel big enough to take the panel with an in and an out pipe connected to some sort of steam generator - kettle - pressure cooker etc etc - you can almost tie it in knots when it comes out after an hour in there !!  WEAR GLOVES !!!

Its how wooden boat builders do it.

[Gina]

Yes, I've used that method to bend boat stringers.  Amazing how wood will bend when steamed for a while

[mrflipflop]

Ok thank you so much, I shall give it a bash and see what turns out as DIY is not really my thing but we have to start somewhere !!

This is to put my new toy in, well Christmas present from my wife Meade LX600 12"

[Gina]

Nice

[Lentikular]

Another new kid on the block here Mike, I love your dome and have downloaded the drawings you kindly made available.

So far I cant spell Star but I'm willing to give it a go.

I'm seriously considering making the dome as you did, If I do will you mind if I ask a few questions on the way.

I have a starter setup consisting of an 8" Celestron with Starsense Autoalign on top of CG-5 Equ mount. And an Neximage5 camera and a few other bits Wi-Fi hookup up etc.

 

George