Fordos' Observatory Build

[kirkster501]

Interested to see how the roof comes together and what you do for the RO-RO mechanism.

Steve

[Fordos Moon]

Interested myself to see how that tricky bit comes together! I ordered some polyurethane castor wheels from a company on ebay which has now told me my early Jan order wont be delivered til end of Feb after saying it would be end of Jan so I have cancelled it.

Can anyone recommend me a supplier of these wheels that is value for money and reliable please?

[Fordos Moon]

Just reading the Rubber Wheels thread now! I do like your set-up yesyes!

[red dwalf]

here is where i bought my wheels from,

http://www.abbeypowertools.co.uk/general-hardware/castor-wheels/showitem-9446.aspx

although ordered 24th of january as still waiting for delivery, theres a couple of suppliers on the web about the same price which seem to be cheaper than e bay

[leelee970]

Looking very good, good luck with the build.

I've had to refelt my roof after finding the windy had torn a big hole - which lead to water getting through.

Lee

[Tinker1947]

Looking very good, good luck with the build.

I've had to refelt my roof after finding the windy had torn a big hole - which lead to water getting through.

Lee

Rubber roofing may be the way to go, my little roof i found easy there are people have done  far bigger roofs single handed.......

[yesyes]

+1 for rubber roofing. It's a bit more expensive but it's a single piece, no gaps for water to get in, and it's basically maintenance free.

It is quite heavy but I managed to do it on my own (two 3x3 metre pieces). I bought a 6x3 metre roll and that cost me £160 plus £40 for a 5 litre bucket of adhesive. Well worth it I think.

[Gina]

Another vote for rubber roofing but make sure you fasten down the edges really well to stand up to the hurricanes we seem to be getting

[Tinker1947]

My roof wasn't that big so i nipped round the outside with stainless steel staples every 3" or so, the folded corners stuck together with "Grip All" it seems to stay stuck........

[Fordos Moon]

Guys and Gals, I am looking at some polyurethane fixed caster wheels here:

https://www.google.co.uk/#q=polyurethane+fixed+caster+wheels&spell=1&tbm=shop

and the Draper ones about half way down look viable what do you think? Would I need 100kg or 75kg max load for each wheel when I am intending to use four on each side, with each side being 78 inches in length?

The roof will be made from 12mm plywood, 38x63mm studwork (I think) and maybe two or three 3"x2" (laughing about using metric and imperial to inform you) - oh and roof felt (the good stuff) as I have already bought it so will give it a go before the rubber option.

[red dwalf]

i would have thought that the smaller 75 kg would be enough, being a total carrying weight of 600kg

[twintin]

And another vote for rubber. Mine was dead easy to do single handed. It's 2.4 x3.0 approx and lightly pitched. The only problem I had was I picked the hottest day of the year to glue it down! Very sweaty standing on a black roof at mid day!

[Fordos Moon]

i would have thought that the smaller 75 kg would be enough, being a total carrying weight of 600kg

Agreed. Ordered!

[Fordos Moon]

Bit of progress made. The two shorter sides made up and first coat of paint.

[Tinker1947]

Hmm nice sky blue colour, not seen much of that recently...

[Fordos Moon]

Hmm nice sky blue colour, not seen much of that recently...

Strangely enough it must be a trick of the light as it is Ronseal Willow - a nice green hue!

[Fordos Moon]

I rarely get to see my boy (long story) so brilliant to have him up this weekend doing some father/son DIY :-)

[Fordos Moon]

Main frame complete today, great working with my dad!

[yesyes]

Making good progress there!

[gingergeek]

looking good indeed, so jealous of those with observatories but also I enjoy reading about the journey taken to complete them.

[SnakeyJ]

Nice to see the progress here Fordos - I'm most jealous that you can do this with your Dad! If only - my dad loved these projects and was great fun to work with - make the most

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[Fordos Moon]

Nice to see the progress here Fordos - I'm most jealous that you can do this with your Dad! If only - my dad loved these projects and was great fun to work with - make the most

typed on my mobile with Tapatalk

Many thanks Snakey, and very wise words, sorry to hear about your dad. Time is so precious.

[Fordos Moon]

Bit of work starting the roof today. Still raining!

[Fordos Moon]

Great to have my dad on hand to get the roof frame up today!

[Fordos Moon]

This weekend I will be "filling in" the "ends" of the roof. Lesson Learned: Do this before you put the roof frame on and nail the plywood to it!