Summer observatory build. Probably autumn too if I'm honest!

[ShrewView]

So, confession time. Earlier this year I started ordering and gathering materials in order to build an obsy. For some time, I’d been pondering this and even posted a thread on here about whether to build from scratch or to convert an off the shelf shed. Then along came lockdowns and difficulties in getting materials and I had to put it on hold. The original plan was an 8’ x 8’ with a roll off roof, situated in the darkest spot I have in the garden. I soon concluded that this wasn’t going to allow much room for expansion and so this evolved to a roughly 12’ x 8’ build.

Having looked through many of the fabulous builds on this forum I’ve hopefully picked up lots of ideas and doubt I’ll be showing anything new to the community but thought I’d share how far I’ve got and, hopefully the future progress until it’s done.

Work got underway in late June, clearing the site, and laying out the footprint of the building which runs north to south, with a pier to be sited toward the southern end.

I made an early decision not to lay concrete foundations and instead have chosen groundscrews. I used 9 and these were pretty easy to put in as long as you can avoid existing rocks and concrete in the ground, and raise the woodwork about 4 inches off the ground. They are easy enough to level, as you just back them off or screw in a little further, and the base frame seems really firm.

I also decided to ensure the walls when built sit on the subframe and that the flooring fits within this outline so I can lift them later if needed without having to cut anything.

In mid July I put the pier foundation block in, which was warm work, and got to the point where i could loose lay the floor and try out a tripod at the height that the pier will be so i could work out the wall heights i want. While i had it there i also popped a scope on and tried it out under the stars. Was a really good feeling and made the effort to date worth it.

 

When i was happy with the base i screwed and nailed it all properly but will leave the floor loose until the end as I've got the pier to build yet, but it's walls first!

 

[adyj1]

Well done - that looks very sturdy! (Much better than an off-the-shelf shed)

Looking forward to seeing your progress.

Ady 

[ShrewView]

Last week I made some progress on the walls. It was pretty hot work and I had to find the shade where I could, hence the old garden parasols, although by evening I did get some shade from a neighbour’s tree.

I’d originally intended to just fix the wall sections to one another but after putting the first two up I decided it wasn’t going to be strong enough and added another piece to make a corner post. This seemed much firmer when screwed together.

The wall sections were pretty quick to assemble and having the floor down meant I had a nice clear flat space to work on (the garage being full of more wood and the usual tat)

Having got three sides up I added the wooden rails that will support the tracking. The roof should run off to the north and there should be a fold down flap to the south side to give a clear view.

Yesterday was the first day I could do anything this week and I added the fourth wall as well as some bracing to the corners of the frames and this has stiffened up the frame a lot. It’s been a lot cooler to work in, but I’ve had to add a tarpaulin, as the last few days there have been showers and although it’s all treated wood, I want to keep it as dry as possible while there’s no roof. Hopefully I’ll make a start on the frame for that this weekend.

One thing I’ve not yet decided is how wide to make the door. It may sound odd, but I keep thinking maybe make it wider than a standard door to accommodate storing a big dob in there at some future point. How wide do other people make theirs?

The other thing will be how much of an overhang to give the roof on each side? It's going to be a pent style roof sloping one way and that side will have guttering beneath to channel the water to a series of water barrels. Perhaps the other don't need much of one at all? Something else for me to ponder over a glass of wine tonight. 

 

Edited August 19, 2022 by ShrewView

[CedricTheBrave]

Hi how are you getting on with the build? I am thinking of using ground screws for mine did you have any issues?

 

cheers

[ShrewView]

Sorry. Not posted for a while. 

I've made decent progress and got a rubber roof on and cladding on the sides so getting close to finishing but started new job at the end of September and not had as much time or taken as many pics as i should have done.

The ground screws were good, and much easier than concrete foundations, though probably no cheaper. It may depend on your ground. mine is quite heavy soil with clay beneath but i didn't have much difficulty in screwing them in. Stony ground might be tough though?