Finally started on my obs

[DaveS]

Thanks. Means I don't have to go as far as 4" square, which I had been planning. 3" for the corners and 3x2 elsewhere. Plus Joists, though I had been planning just a "big wooden box" sitting on the foundation platform. It's for imaging so I won't be hanging around in there much.

[Moonshane]

Mine's the opposite. I'll be solely visual so this is why I have been agonising over the design. Naturally you could 'over-engineer' and if your design can effectively ignore weight this is fine and dandy. I didn't really want the stands associated with a ROR as I like my gardening too!

[DaveS]

I was looking at the way it would be oriented in my garden and decided that If I extended the rails longer than needed, and with about 2 m clearance I could incorporate them into a pergola across where steps lead down to the main area.

[Moonshane]

Oh blimey. Having checked the half fixed roof idea, I am not keen. It feels really restricted. I am now working on my original plan of a folding roof at the back.

[Astrokev]

Looking really good Shane. 

Good luck with the rest of the build

kev

[Moonshane]

I have come up with a better solution in my head overnight. More to follow soon but will be a three section roof with the top a simple hinge to rear, the front will pivot forward as before. The middle section will be a mini ROR which will roll either to the front or the back of the structure depending upon where I am observing or to allow alignment. I'd imagine it will be mostly put to the back. This reduces lifting weight and increases flexibility. I know a standard ROR would be simpler but I think this matches my requirements better and will be rather unique.

[Moonshane]

Picked up my 250mm diameter galvanized tube today. Here's a pic. Naturally it needs cutting down and filling but the size is great. Here's the roofing materials. Too. 

[Moonshane]

One of Saturday's planned 20+ obs jobs is to make the frames for the three roof panels. Having used an impact driver last weekend (borrowed from Ken) I could not really face the idea without one this weekend and one now forms part of my project costs! A cheapish 18v but with two batteries should be good enough for my purposes

https://www.screwfix.com/p/mac-allister-msid18-li-18v-1-5ah-li-ion-cordless-impact-driver/220fx 

Jobs planned include paint frames all round with black paint, create concrete pier, fit roof panels, make door, fit breathable membrane all round, fit roof finishing sheets and all the various bits that go with it! If I get half done, I'll be pretty happy.

 

 

[Moonshane]

Some progress today. Not as much as I hoped but I have a pier!

Original length

Cut down by about 500mm

Also cut down the girder that's in the block.

 

Made some rough levellers

Fitted small brackets to bottom to prevent shift and lift when putting concrete in.

And in position. 

Pretty level. Close enough.

 

Made a fixed length piece to allow checking for centralisation

 

Used the sun at solar noon to confirm north position. Luckily bone of the frame uprights was in just the right spot

Checked with a plumb line to be sure

Marked position both sides

and filled!

Also painted the whole frame black. Next will be the roof. However, I may add the breathable fabric to the sides and front so I can use it (sort of). The pier will be painted with hammerite or similar. I'll probably powder coat and the top.

 

 

[Moonshane]

Painted frame

[Moonshane]

Between showers managed to make one of the roof frames.

[Moonshane]

Will definitely need a central back to front cross member made of 2x 3x2s. I'll make it removable as it's only needed when snow is likely. Plus it will be blocking sky if fixed!

The frame albeit bare is actually a lot lighter than expected.

Getting excited now......

[upahill]

Great progress, love that you painted the frame too - looks fab.

[Alan White]

Looking great Shane, watching with interest to the pour of the pier and onwards.

What scope/s are you intending to use in here?

[Moonshane]

hi Alan

The pier is poured! See above. It's rock solid. 

I'll be using a 120mm Equinox and a 100mm PST mod on the pier and will have 16" and 12" dobs on the other sides. 

Hope to get the other two frames done this weekend along with painting the frames and then sorting out the mechanisms. Plus the final trimming of the floor and fixing down (after bringing conduit and wiring through of course.Then I can clad etc. Should be finished by the end of October with any luck although I should be able to have a few trials before then.

[Alan White]

Sorry Shane, missed the pour bit.
It went from not poured to a bucket over the top,
assumed it was keeping the weather out of an empty tube.
Note to self, read threads not look at the pictures!

[Moonshane]

LOL

I am guilty of that too. I did the whole thing in a day which didn't help. The bucket is an attempt to prevent water going down the side of the concrete (i.e. inside the tube walls) as it might sit there and then split something when the colder weather comes.

I'll take some pics over the weekend no doubt.

[Alan White]

I just spoke to a colleague about metal for a pier,
guess what I have a 7ft fence post for Palisade fence coming my way.
Looks just like the reinforcing I section you used.


 

[Moonshane]

It was indeed exactly that 👍

[Moonshane]

Here's the mount in position (just plonked for effect).

 

[Stu]

Looks great Shane.

Seeing you with an EQ mount cast me back all those years to one of the Peak Star Party talks when you demonstrated how to point a scope on an EQ mount......by picking it up and turning the whole lot around 🤣🤣

How things change 👍👍, obsy should be fab when it is done.

[Moonshane]

haha yeah I remember that. I still cannot star hop as well with an eq as I can with an AZ!

[Stu]

34 minutes ago, Moonshane said:

haha yeah I remember that. I still cannot star hop as well with an eq as I can with an AZ!

Ditto!!!

Actually that's a lie, I can't star hop at all with an EQ!!!!

[Alan White]

8 hours ago, Stu said:

Ditto!!!

Actually that's a lie, I can't star hop at all with an EQ!!!!

I am in good company then gents, neither can I 

[Moonshane]

More a star hope