Not quite an observatory

[900SL]

I need a deck, so I can walk around my rig without risking breaking my neck on the ice covered granite outcrop that is my imaging spot in the garden

I will likely add sidewalls at some point, to give some protection from wind and streetlights. 

May even add a 3 part opening roof farther down the line, although given how few clear nights we get here, I'm not sure that's worth it

I set up each time for imaging and can then operate remotely from the warmth.

Knocked up the perimeter framing this evening

 

[maw lod qan]

Looks interesting, I'll be following along.

But on a side note, you really need more stuff in your shop! It's not nearly cluttered up enough!

[Saganite]

Looking good, can't wait to see it done and in use.

How I wish I had an indoor working space like that !

When I made my 8' Octagonal marine ply base for my dome, I had to scrabble around on the patio slabs in the back garden.

[900SL]

1 hour ago, Saganite said:

Looking good, can't wait to see it done and in use.

How I wish I had an indoor working space like that !

When I made my 8' Octagonal marine ply base for my dome, I had to scrabble around on the patio slabs in the back garden.

I insisted on a decent garage and workshop when looking for a house with the wifey.. on the grounds that I need space for doing the decking, woodwork etc 😉

Even has a heated floor!

[Saganite]

Looks 100% better now with the powered two wheeled 'eye candy'......yum yum.....🙂

Edited November 9, 2023 by Saganite

[Swoop1]

5 hours ago, 900SL said:

I insisted on a decent garage and workshop when looking for a house with the wifey.. on the grounds that I need space for doing the decking, woodwork etc 😉

Even has a heated floor!

No one likes a show off!

[maw lod qan]

Now we're talking! I really like the two Moto Guzzi!

[900SL]

2 hours ago, maw lod qan said:

Now we're talking! I really like the two Moto Guzzi!

Claudia and Sophia, on account of the V twin cleavage 😍

[Alan White]

Love it, garages are most definitely not for cars in my book.

The Guzzi pair look super, how old are they?

Good luck with the Not an Observatory project.

[900SL]

On 14/11/2023 at 09:52, Alan White said:

Love it, garages are most definitely not for cars in my book.

The Guzzi pair look super, how old are they?

Good luck with the Not an Observatory project.

Thanks Alan. One is a 1973 850 GT, the nearer one is a 1980 850 Le Mans. 

Did a bit more today, miter cut the inner rails and screwed/plated the joints. The inner 3 rails are self supporting internally, only carried at the outside joint. They did something similar on old oast house floors with  central openings 

My wife thinks I've joined a cult, and  am building a landing pad for astral demons

Edited November 19, 2023 by 900SL

[Ouroboros]

Beautiful symmetry. I like that. 

[JeremyS]

1 hour ago, 900SL said:

Thanks Alan. One is a 1973 850 GT, the nearer one is a 1980 850 Le Mans. 

Did a bit more today, miter cut the inner rails and screwed/plated the joints. The inner 3 rails are self supporting internally, only carried at the outside joint. They did something similar on old oast house floors with  central openings 

My wife thinks I've joined a cult, and  am building a landing pad for astral demons

Are you sponsored by a high street bank? 🤔

[900SL]

No, but I'm open to offers Jeremy!  

I found some interesting wood in the junk left by the previous owner. He had a high end bespoke kitchen business, so I have enough screws and brackets and boards to see me out. In amongst it all was this sample:

 

Google says it is from the Congo, similar to ebony, resistant to rot and insects, and  dimensionally stable. I think I just found my pier top. 

[John_D]

1 hour ago, 900SL said:

Google says it is from the Congo, similar to ebony, resistant to rot and insects, and  dimensionally stable. I think I just found my pier top. 

Nice. But be careful of the sawdust if you need to cut or sand it because it can cause severe irritation. I've given up using African hardwoods on my wood turning lathe because I was never quit sure what allergic reaction I was going to get next 😁

[900SL]

11 hours ago, John_D said:

Nice. But be careful of the sawdust if you need to cut or sand it because it can cause severe irritation. I've given up using African hardwoods on my wood turning lathe because I was never quit sure what allergic reaction I was going to get next 😁

Thanks for the warning. It's quite nasty stuff checking online! Reminds me of Ipe in the Caribbean, which needed carbide tools to drill and had toxic dust.

I cut a central core 45mm diameter and 4 corner holes for M16 bolts, used a face mask and goggles and vacuumed up all cutting waste afterwards, so far no issues apart from my hole saw overheating  😀

Edited November 20, 2023 by 900SL

[RT65CB-SWL]

On 19/11/2023 at 19:30, JeremyS said:

Are you sponsored by a high street bank? 🤔

He’s into recycling timber! 😉

[Alan White]

Have you made any progress since you last posting? 
The base has piqued my interest, last time I looked the Guzzis got my attention.

 

[900SL]

13 hours ago, Alan White said:

Have you made any progress since you last posting? 
The base has piqued my interest, last time I looked the Guzzis got my attention.

 

Hi Alan, base framing complete but I have a foot of snow and it's been < -10c for a while, so won't be setting up until spring. Currently working on the Le Mans rewire!

[900SL]

Think I've got a handle on this now 😆 

[Alan White]

11 hours ago, 900SL said:

Think I've got a handle on this now 😆 

I should wear my reading glasses. My initial thought was wow that’s a lot of wiring for a simple observing set up!

 

[900SL]

On 09/01/2024 at 23:58, Alan White said:

I should wear my reading glasses. My initial thought was wow that’s a lot of wiring for a simple observing set up!

 

The level of moronia I am uncovering is beyond belief as I delve deeper into the wiring. The front end (headlights, controls, gauges etc) should connect to the main loom via 3 molex connectors according to the wiring diagram. Instead I have an old inner tube stuffed with a birds nest 🪹 of terrible connectors, all the wiring is any old colour, and there's no relays, everything is wired hot through the switches! 

 

[josefk]

8 hours ago, 900SL said:

The level of moronia I am uncovering is beyond belief as I delve deeper into the wiring. The front end (headlights, controls, gauges etc) should connect to the main loom via 3 molex connectors according to the wiring diagram. Instead I have an old inner tube stuffed with a birds nest 🪹 of terrible connectors, all the wiring is any old colour, and there's no relays, everything is wired hot through the switches! 

 

Nice projects - both observing deck and great bikes.
My son has done a rolling restoration on his old mini and once he started on the electrics he found a similar mess - it was easier to pull the whole lot out and start again with a newly made up loom.  Satisfying too.