Astrokev's ROR - The Build

[wimvb]

13 hours ago, Astrokev said:

The observant will notice the corner of my mattress, being integrity tested before we leave for Kelling! 

An air mattress at a building site? You like to live dangerously, don't you?

Seriously though, the build is coming along nicely.

Have fun & clear skies at Kelling.

[lguise]

A very high quality build! All the attention to detail will pay off, this Observatory will last for decades. Well done Kevin, looking forward to seeing the finished structure.

All the best,

Linton 

[Astrokev]

10 hours ago, wimvb said:

An air mattress at a building site? You like to live dangerously, don't you?

Seriously though, the build is coming along nicely.

Have fun & clear skies at Kelling.

Your probably right there!

Thanks Wim. Forecast for Kelling is looking cloudy and rainy at present sadly ?

 

[Astrokev]

3 hours ago, lguise said:

A very high quality build! All the attention to detail will pay off, this Observatory will last for decades. Well done Kevin, looking forward to seeing the finished structure.

All the best,

Linton 

Thanks Linton. It may well outlast my ability to keep doing astronomy! You must come round when it's finished.

Look forward to seeing you at Kelling.

Kev

[Astrokev]

15 hours ago, Kev M said:

Wasn't going to mention it.....

Looking good though Kev, professional looking job...will have to get my humble attempt updated and some more pics posted.

Thanks Kev for your kind words. Looking forward to getting it finished now. It's taken far too long!

[Gina]

I thought that with my build!

[Astrokev]

Back from  Kelling Heath.  Great time had by all. 

Sunny weather today so the covers are off and time to crack-on with the observatory cladding!

[Dr_Ju_ju]

Set yourself a target for completion, & tell SWMBO to kick you along..... 

[Astrokev]

5 hours ago, Dr_Ju_ju said:

Set yourself a target for completion, & tell SWMBO to kick you along..... 

My latest target is to get the observatory fully operational in time for the winter season. Barring unforeseen disasters, this should be easily achievable (he says, possibly foolishly!). 

[Astrokev]

A couple of in-progress shots.

3 walls are now complete. I ran out of nails before finishing the wall facing the shed and am still waiting for my order to be delivered. I'm pretty busy this week, driving my daughter back to Uni in Cornwall, but if time allows I hope to put a couple of coats of preserver on the finished walls and paint with a water-repellent top-coat (not sure what colour yet). This will allow me to take the tarps down so I can finish the rolling roof.

 

[JamesF]

Looking very smart.

Hopefully driving to Cornwall and back won't take all week.  They have roads down there and everything these days you know :D

James

[Gina]

The roads shouldn't be so cluttered up with Grockles now the children have gone back to school.

[Astrokev]

1 hour ago, Gina said:

The roads shouldn't be so cluttered up with Grockles now the children have gone back to school.

Grockles?

[JamesF]

29 minutes ago, Astrokev said:

Grockles?

People "not from round these parts".  Tourists, usually.

James

[Dave]

Almost there then Kev?

[Astrokev]

13 hours ago, Dave said:

Almost there then Kev?

It would be nice to think so! One step closer at least.

[Astrokev]

All wrapped up safe for the next few days whilst I'm in Cornwall.

Managed to get a coat of preserver on before doing battle with the tarp's though, which was good ?.

 

[Astrokev]

Cladding of the final wall was completed today. Just need to give it a couple of coats of preserver tomorrow, then I can paint the 4 walls in tasteful off-white wood treatment. ?

Edited - added a pic from a new angle (my son took this sneakily while I was beavering away) which better shows the observatory in the context of the garden.

 

Edited September 25, 2018 by Astrokev

[Astrokev]

At long last, and after many weeks of trying to get hold of some,  I managed to find a length of hardwood door sill today. Hooray!

I can now finish the door frame and start thinking about how to build a door!

[Yawning Angel]

I cheated and bought an external door frame, including hardwood sill ? The build looks really well suited in your garden too

[Kev M]

I just used a door I had lying around and nailed cladding over the front of it.....must remember to updates my pics !

[Astrokev]

Well, I've painted the walls. Hmmm...… problem is I don't like it ?.

I painted it yesterday in the late afternoon half-light. Now that I see it in full daylight, it's much whiter than I expected.

I think I'm going to revisit the paint-shop and see whether I should re-paint with a shade that will blend into the garden better. Maybe I should go for a grey-green and stone colour?

This is a real pain as the walls will need a light sanding to provide a key before repainting - time, time, time..... Maybe I should've painted a test area first, instead of painting the whole thing. Oh well, done now - just need to make a decision and move on.

Watch this space.

[Dr_Ju_ju]

well at least it will have more protection.....

[JamesF]

I think it looks fine to be honest, but I'd agree you couldn't claim that it merges into the background

James

 

[Davey-T]

Here you go Kev 

 

Dave