Muggleswick project

[Odd Thomas]

Well I've finally run out of reasons why not too, and I've got round to starting the build of my little project. I've really enjoyed following other build threads on here so I'm going to post pics for anyone that may be interested in mine. Its not going to be a grand affair like some, but an exercise in using up some of the stuff that I've got laying around and clearing my garage so I can actually use it, and I'll be keeping the cost down as much as possible too. 

I had to obtain planning permission from our council as the build is visible from the road and we are in an AONB and an SSI. This is now through and they've given me guidance on where it needs to be. I would have preferred it nearer the centre of the field but it has to go next to the western wall. I've got  pretty good 360  degree views with the house to the north and the moors to the south.

I took advantage of the weather today and worked out the exact position of the pier and got the hole started. The standard 2 feet by 2 feet by 2 feet. I've also added rebar in the bottom of the hole and through where the pier will be.

Next job will be the concrete which I'm not particularly looking forward to as its a fair old carry over the field.

Apologies in advance if the pics and words don't tally, I'm not the best with computers..... 

 

 

[Ags]

That is very neat hole!

[maw lod qan]

Great start, but your friend has that "please tell me that's not for me" look.

I had a young man who had just recently bought a C14  tell me any observatory is a blessing, when I told him I had an 8" reflector in my observatory!

Good luck with your build!

[apaulo]

dog was happy when it saw the rebar going in

[Swoop1]

A very tidy hole!

Good luck with the build.

Are you using pre mix concrete or mixing yourself?

[Odd Thomas]

Swoop1, I'll be mixing it myself. I've got a dumpy bag of sharp sand and half a dozen bags of cement left over from another job. Cheers for the good luck, I think I'm going to need it!

[Odd Thomas]

This is the 10" water pipe I'm going to use as a pier. They were renewing the water main near us and I asked if there was any spare offcuts, nice one.

I fitted 3 bolts at 120 degrees in 2 positions to give a bit purchase in the concrete.

[Odd Thomas]

Next job was to get it over the field and into position on the rebar. this was easier said than done as its a fair old weight, but a sack barrow came in handy.

[Odd Thomas]

It was quite a struggle lifting it over the rebar as both me and my long suffering wife are somewhat vertically challenged! but after a few attempts and some choice words it was on and the rebar in the hole meshed nicely with the bolts on the pipe.

[Odd Thomas]

Next was the job I'd not been looking forward to most. Barrowing the concrete over the field, I figured this was preferable to taking the sand, cement, mixer and water over though. Took 8 barrow loads to fill the hole and another 2 1/2 to fill the pier pipe. I've not ached so much for years, but hopefully that will be the hardest job of the project.

[M40]

Wow, what a location. Another great thread to follow. What are your plans for power?

[Alan White]

That’s looking great, and wow what a location.

[maw lod qan]

Well done!

The choice words?

Were they from you both about the pipe? Or from the Mrs about you and this idea? 😆

I am always amazed at the rolling hills and all the stone fences along with the homes. Beautiful.

This area of Florida, we are flat and have nothing but sand!

[Stephenstargazer]

Excellent job! Hope the beagle likes his own lampost - but not too much!!!😁

Very jealous of your sky and skyline too. Someone mentioned power  - tractor battery and 12v wind generator? The AA/RAC roadside phone huts used to do that (with a fan belt and dynamo) and it fits the low cost approach ?  Vetical shaft impeller and an alternator ??

Edited September 20, 2022 by Stephenstargazer

[Odd Thomas]

Thanks for the votes of confidence, its nice to know other people are following, makes it all the more likely I'll actually get this project finished.

We do feel lucky to live in such a nice area, but its taken a number of years to get the house refurbished.

M40, I'm not planning to put any mains power in the observatory. Instead I'm going to use 12v battery power and attempt to modify a car alternator for wind power to charge it. (Stephenstargazer got it spot on)

3 hours ago, maw lod qan said:

 

I am always amazed at the rolling hills and all the stone fences along with the homes. Beautiful.

This area of Florida, we are flat and have nothing but sand!

My brother lived in Florida for a number of years, and I know it has other benefits!

Next job is to dig 6 smaller holes for the main support legs and get the concrete in, but that will be a few days away, I'm still aching!

[callisto]

Nice job... I've not long finished my "project",

Not as wide as yours but I fixed the bolts at the base, concreted in 4x 1.5mtr bars and sunk 0.5 mtr bolt screws into the top 🙂

Lovely views btw 

 

 

Edited September 20, 2022 by callisto
Change wording

[Odd Thomas]

Callisto, That looks like a fine set up. I was contemplating doing the same as you have with the bolts sunk into the concrete, but I decided on drilling into the set concrete at a later date.

[callisto]

13 minutes ago, Odd Thomas said:

Callisto, That looks like a fine set up. I was contemplating doing the same as you have with the bolts sunk into the concrete, but I decided on drilling into the set concrete at a later date.

Yeah, I was gonna do the same but ended up sinking them in... solid as a rock 👍

[Stephenstargazer]

49 minutes ago, Odd Thomas said:

drilling into the set concrete at a later date.

To do that with any accuracy you may need diamond core drills and then set the bolts with resin. Depends on the hardness of the aggregate in the concrete, which is what you will drill through. (Based on professional experience - it can be worth using a specialist contractor with the right gear. Or hiring it.)

You might though get a cheap vertical impeller from a rotating chimney cowl??

[Odd Thomas]

Stephenstargazer, I have a selection of diamond core drills and feel fairly confident I can get an accurate result..........famous last words!

 

Well after an horrendous week of weather, I finally managed to get a bit more done. With the help of Mr Pythagoras I got the outline of the obsy marked on the ground, the corner holes dug and the 4 mid support holes dug. More concrete next.