how much are roll of obs?

[Brunty12345]

what does the price range between on roll of roof obs?? if its too much i might just get my dad to build 1... its just getting the roof to work :/

[Ford Prefect]

Hi

There are a number of books available with full instructions on how to build a roll of roof Obsy if you do want to have a go yourself . Building a Roll-off Roof Observatory: A Complete Guide for Design and Construction Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy Series: Amazon.co.uk: John Hicks: Books

You could also check out the prices here Welcome to Alexanders Observatories although depending on where in country you are located it might be worth giving FLO a call as I know they are also in discussions with manufacturer

Jon

[Bizibilder]

I'm just building a roll-off so these prices are current: (in round numbers)

Metal shed: £200

Professional laid base inc materials: £150

Concrete pier base/shuttering for shed etc: £50

Timber frame for shed & roof: £100

Nuts bolts & screws & locks & wheels etc: £150

Sealant & paint: £50

Total: roughly £700 - notice that is all the bits and pieces that soon add up!!! It is still considerably cheaper than any "professional observatory". Whats more you can make a "bespoke" design to suit your own situation.

Could I have made it cheaper? - maybe - I used stainless screws for everything - and bought more than I needed!, Bought a cut-off saw (included in the above prices!) and did not skimp at any stage. I have about £20 of wood unused. So I suppose I could have saved £50-£100.

Getting the roof to work was easy!! The difficult bit was the doors (due to the shed design - not my handiwork!!)

Have a look at m'Blog (In the signature) to see how it all went together.

Also: http://linnhe.co.uk/index.html

And at: http://cmhas.wikispaces.com/PutlandsObservatory

Hope this helps.

[Brunty12345]

thanks for all the info and links maybe ill leave the observatory for a while haha im not on that type of budget yet haha im only 17 lol BUT my brother has 2 sheds so maybe i could sort out a deal with him and get 1 off him and then maybe work on it from there

[Bizibilder]

Sorry if I've put you off, it wasn't my intention to do so!! I must admit I have given the prices that I have for a "brand new everything" build. On reflection I reckon that you could build a basic roll off shed, most likely from wood, for considerably less outlay. Without a solid base - just use paving slabs - I reckon that you could build something basic for around a couple of hundred - especially if you can get a good shed for "free" to start with? if you are prepared to do quite a bit of the work yourself.

[Brunty12345]

nahh you avent put me off you've just told the truth and made a straight point on how much i would have to pay for a descent 1 but hopefully i could get my brothers shed (i doubt it though) hes very tight haha ill find a way to persuade him

[ollypenrice]

Can you get anyone to weld for you? Or can you do it yourself? If so you can make one very cheaply. I've made three. If you go for a roll off roof the building has to be big enough for you to occupy. The cheaper method is to make a thing like a roll off sentry box, MUCH smaller. It only just fits round the scope. I welded up a frame, stuck it on wheels, clad it in plywood, set some rails on the ground and there you go.

There is a book by David Arditti (Setting up a Small Observatory) which has my roll-offs in it and many more cheap designs, too.

I've only just realized that my website doesn't really show them clearly but you can get a glimpse of them on the Astronomy page.

:: Sun * Star * France ::

Olly