Started my Observatory

[paul11]

I’ve been clouded out and rained on for the last time after spending an hour to get setup. I’ve gone from tripod to pier and now I’m going for a permanent setup. I started this about 2 weeks ago but with all the rain we have had I haven’t got very far with it. So far I have cleared an area, built the floor area put in 7 small pad stones for the 4x4 posts/legs to sit on and poured a block of concrete to sit the pier on. Here Is a few images,,,,Paul.

[paul11]

A few more

[Astrokev]

Looking good so far Paul. Look forward to seeing more of the build. Good luck.

[pritc]

Looks great so far!!

I see you had to loose a corner to allow for the path

Thats why my warm room had to be smaller than my obs....

Keep the photos coming,I always like to look at other builds.

Wayne

[Earl]

I didn't see any bolts coming out of the concrete to mount the pier are you going to drill them into it?

[paul11]

Thanks guys, i just sat the pier on the concrete as it was setting just to bed it in. I will be fixing it with 18mm stud and chemical fixing,,,Paul.

[Bizibilder]

Exellent BUT before you go any further you will need to provide a gap (1cm will do) between the concrete pier base and your structure. If you do not have that gap then you will transmit vibrations from the obsy to the pier - not good! If worried about creepy-crawlies then fill the gap with soft foam (as used to make comfy seats etc)

You will wonder why you never built one sooner once it is up and running.

[Herakles]

Congrats, nice and solid looking there. I see you employed (I think ) the same technique for concrete mixing , good ol' trusy barrow !

Clear Skies

Pete

[paul11]

Exellent BUT before you go any further you will need to provide a gap (1cm will do) between the concrete pier base and your structure. If you do not have that gap then you will transmit vibrations from the obsy to the pier - not good! If worried about creepy-crawlies then fill the gap with soft foam (as used to make comfy seats etc)

You will wonder why you never built one sooner once it is up and running.

The joists against the slab are only acting as shuttering, they will be moved 50mm away from the concrete block,,,Paul.

[Bizibilder]

Glad you had planned it that way!!!! Good Luck!!

[zedds]

Looking great Paul. Keep the pictures coming.

[OzDave]

Watching with interest!

[paul11]

Thanks a lot guys, tomorrow I will put the rest of the joists in and trim around the pier slab and if I get time I will make the back wall.

[paul11]

Hi all this is how it went today, first of all we lifted the base back out so we could work on it. Put in the rest of the joists and trimmed around the pier base. Then we used the base as a work bench and made the back and covered it with shiplap I had previously painted. Then we made the front frame and put it all together. The roof will be flat with a 75mm fall from back to front can anyone suggest a good covering for the roof? Images if possible.

[paul11]

And 2 mpre

[jimmym123]

i've just found this (cause im a noob and i dont yet know how to fully work the site) and this is the best thing i've ever seen! i love it! if i had the time and know-how i'd love to do something like this

[paul11]

Thanks a lot Jim if you want to build an obsy you can get a lot of help on this site,,,,Paul

[paul11]

Made up the 2 end frames today and the small front frame. I extended the head out to allow the roof to roll and put the shiplap on the front.Ran out of timber so i need to get some 4x2 for the roof, ply and felt tomorrow.

[Glasspusher]

Looking good Paul, you are making excellent progress in short time. My obys has enabled me to make real progress without the hassle of dodging clouds and wasting time setting up.

John

[paul11]

Thanks John, I couldn’t get a delivery of timber today so I just covered the RH side and RH front with shiplap and gave it all a coat of preservative.

[paul11]

Not much progress in the last 2 days, yesterday the timber never arrived until 3.30 and I had to go to the Hospital today. I got back from the Hospital at 4.00 and as the MET were saying rain tomorrow I decided to coat up the inside walls with preservative to repel any water. If it’s dry on Friday I will build the roof and try and get it rolling smoothly,,,Paul.

[paul11]

Even though we had a few light rain showers today we still managed to get a few things done. We made the roof first and put it on and it runs absolutely sweet. Then I made the door frame, fitted it and finished the shiplap and gave it a coat of preservative. The weather looks really changeable over the next few days so I don’t know how long it will be until we get it water tight,,,,Paul.

[yesyes]

Looking good, Paul ! ;-)

I'm curious though why you made the roof quite a bit longer than the obs?

Also, do you think the timber rails the roof will run onto are strong enough? Or is this only for proof-of-concept for now? I imagine the roof will get quite heavy.

[pritc]

Looking good Paul....:hello2:

Same question as yesyes.

Are the ROR rails the same size as the studwork??

With the length of the run you might find they will sag over time under the weight ....

If you can, I would recommend you add two upright supports to the middle of the ROR run with a couple of 45 degree supports to add strength.

Wayne

[paul11]

From this angle you can’t see all of the obsy, it’s about 3ft longer where it is cut back with the angle of the path, the obsy is 12ft and the roof is 13ft. The roof rails will have some extra support added to them and they will be fine.