Observatory underway

[zedds]

Hello all

Thought i would post to let everyone know the ROR observatory is underway:). It`s very early stages, so i`m afraid there isn`t much to see yet.

We had an old 8x6 shed at the top of our garden that i was thinking of trying to utilise but it was too far gone so it had to go. So i`m starting from scratch.

After the shed was gone there was a little bit of tidying up around the edges(which included being allowed by my great neighbour to cut down a big 30 foot double trunked tree) and i was left with a good place to start.

The first picture shows the old shed halfway gone.

The second shows the now cleared area. I have started today marking out the area of the observatory. I then marked out the centre of the area of the observatory to show where the pier was going to go but i`m thinking of moving it a little south to give more room towards the north wall for a bench and sorts.

I will keep you all posted.

[Rusty Strings]

Losing that tree has made a big difference.

[kris h]

looking good Andy cant wait to see more pics of your Observy build

clear skies

[Bizibilder]

You'll find all the hard work is well worth while!! - Nice to have a neighbour like that!!!

[zedds]

A bit more done last weekend.

First i rearranged and leveled 3 of the slabs to make a level base ready for the 10x7 base of the observatory.

Next i dug out 2x2x2ft ready for the pier. I hit clay after a foot and a half which should be good for the pier base. The pier will be made from 150mm ductile iron pipe. (advantage of working for a water company) The bit of grill you can see was in the ground buried(bit of free reinforcing!!)

A slight change of plan regarding the build. I`ve decided to buy a bespoke wooden workshop from a local supplier. I will then convert this to a roll off roof.

Just a quick thank you to members such as michaelmorris and buzibuilder and all others who have taken the time to document their builds and put them on online. Gives alot of inspiration as well as answers.

[zedds]

Hello all

I have managed to get a bit more done over the last couple of weeks(This is probably going to take a while).

1st picture shows the pad ready and the 15 bags of sand and gravel ballast and 4 bags of cement ready to be mixed. Actually ended up using 26 bags of ballast and 7 bags of cement.

2nd picture shows the 2x2x2ft hole with the rebar central to the hole in place with other pieces of reinforcing. The hole is central but the shuttering is off centre to make it a bit easier to shutter off.

3rd picture shows the 160mm diameter HPPE pipe in place and braced. 20mm conduit is also in place for the internal power for the mount.

4th picture shows the pier concreted in. The pier looks off centre but as i said earlier it is central to the 2x2x2ft block. Also in place are the threaded rods for the pier top.(Thanks Gary)

5th picture shows all the rest of the pad filled in with concrete ready for the floor. I kept the pier base 10mm lower than the rest of the floor and put 25mm polystyrene between the pier base and the rest of the floor to keep the pier separated from the floor.

Due to kids and work and other commitments i can`t get on this as much as i`d like. But i`ll get there in the end.

Next will be altering the 10x7ft apex shed i have under cover into a roll off roof.

[pritc]

Watching with interest Andy,

Keep the photos coming.

Have you sorted out a layout for the inside?

Wayne

[zedds]

Watching with interest Andy,

Keep the photos coming.

Have you sorted out a layout for the inside?

Wayne

Only basic ideas at the moment Wayne. It will have a work top on the north side where the power will enter the observatory, for the laptop. It will be kitchen worktop of some sort. I am also thinking at the moment whether to try to incorporate some sort of warm room at the north end. If i have the space that is

[zedds]

Finally got to work with modifying the shed.

1st picture shows the hole cut out of the floor and lowered over the pier. Then the walls fixed.

2nd picture shows the obs from the south wall. It looks smaller on the picture than it really is.

3rd picture shows the roof off(and it is one heavy roof:shocked:) and my brother securing the new 3 x 2 framework to the roof. We fitted 50mm fixed castors to the frame of the roof, 4 along each side. I may increase these to 6 each side.

4th picture shows the obs minus the roof. We fitted a new 3 x 2 framework to the top of the walls. Aluminum angle was added to the top of the new framework of the obs as a track and guide.

5th picture shows the view of the new 3 x 2 frame on top of the walls from inside.

[zedds]

Some more pictures.

1st picture shows the roof back on with the castors and track in place.

2nd picture is a view of the obs looking south. We have put 2 3x2 uprights in place ready for the framework to be added for the roof to roll onto, I might upsize these to 3x3 not too sure yet.

3rd picture is a view of the new framework for the walls and roof with the castors and track in place.

The little bit i can roll the roof at the moment rolls quite nice

[pritc]

Looks Fantastic Andy!!

How did you get the roof section back on??

I see some conduit running from the pier to the back of the obs.

Is that for power or usb cables?

Wayne

[zedds]

Thanks Wayne.

To get the roof back on we (my brother and myself) lifted the roof back on from the side. It would have been easier if we had more bods to help but we gave it a go and managed to lift it. It was very heavy though.

The conduit is for the power for the mount. I am going to line the floor with some sort of matting or board so i will leave a groove to lay some mini trunking for the usb cabling.

[Astrokev]

Andy,

Fantastic Obs. Look forward to seeing it completed.

Please could you let us know how you plan to seal the openings around the runners, etc, to keep the elements and bugs out?

I'm keen to design a ROR Obs for myself, but not sure how best to do this.

Thanks

Kevin

[zedds]

Thanks Kevin.

Not 100% sure on how to keep everything out yet. At the moment a tarpaulin is keeping everything dry. I will most likely attach another piece of tongue and groove around the edge and use some sort of brush strip for the sides. Most likely figure it out as i go along.

I`ll post pictures up when i do.

[bish]

Looks great. Wish I had some DIY skills (and a garden!).

[Astrokev]

Thanks Kevin.

and use some sort of brush strip for the sides. Most likely figure it out as i go along.

I`ll post pictures up when i do.

Thanks Andy. Yes, I'd considered a brush strip as an option. Look forward to seeing what you end up with as a design for this, so we can all pinch your solutions!

Kev

[gary1968]

Hey Andy, not sure how I missedc this thread but you are getting on like a house on fire now mate, the obsy looks the dogs b*ll**ks.

Looking forward to seeing how it ends up and the images you will no doubt be posting......

gary

[zedds]

Thanks Gary. The pictures will keep coming.

[zedds]

A bit more progress.

1st picture shows the roof all felted up.

2nd,3rd,4th and 5th show the framework, for the roof to roll onto, partly built. I will brace across with the (unpainted for now) piece of 3x2 that you see in pictures. I will also brace between the 3x3 uprights. I will also brace from the uprights to the 3x2 that makes up the frame for the roof.

Does that make sense.

Progress is slow but i`m getting there.

[Astrokev]

Hi Andy

This is coming along really nicely. Your design is similar to the ideas I'm currently developing for my own RORO, so am looking forward to seeing your finished build.

Please keep the pictures coming, the more the better.

[zedds]

After a little work yesterday, i have a Roll Off Roof.

1st picture shows the new framework complete, with the aluminium angle track in place.

2nd shows the roof halfway off.

3rd and its all off

4th and 5th show the views north and south respectively.

I am lucky. I have decent views north, east and south. West is rubbish due to trees but you can`t have everything.

[zedds]

A few more pictures.

There is still alot of work to do but i`m glad the roof works.

I may have to ask one of the admin to remove the (v. early stages) of the thread title.

[SteveL]

I may have to ask one of the admin to remove the (v. early stages) of the thread title.

All done...

[zedds]

Thanks very much Steve.

[SteveL]

Its looking really good, very professional. You have to be pleased with the results so far....