The Birch Tree Observatory - almost done!

[Chris Graham]

Ok a bit more progress.

Shed has been ordered....8x7 metal.

Wood arrived and getting cement tomorrow along with the flooring.

Here are a few more pics.

I have used breezblocks to level the area as it was on a slope. So far so good.

Also cemented the rebar into a bucket which in turn will have the plastic tube over it.

[Stardust]

It's getting started, this part feels slow but worth getting things as level as you can. I spent ages on the ground work which is all covered up now. I'm really enjoying the build and hope you are too. Are they concrete blocks you are using?

good luck

Dave

[Chris Graham]

Ok finally a proper start!

Created a temporary frame and flooring to test the height that the pier should sit. I work it out to be around 120cm from ground level.

Looks like this will provide quite a good height and the mount plate could still be adjusted.

Well that only took me about an hour and a half so I'm knackered!

[Stardust]

looking good Chris, that will move along at a pace now.

How's the roof going to work, roll off or some kind of massive hydraulics?

Got the wheels on mine today.

Dave

[Chris Graham]

Gonna be a roll off roof on wheels.

Now its raining so not sure if i'll get much done at the weekend

[geppetto]

Looking really good mate.

Hope you get the weather to get more done

[dazza1639]

Looking good Chris, I bet you can't wait for it to be finished.

Darren

[Chris Graham]

--- Very big update ---

A weekend worth of work and help from my father-in-law and i have managed to get the pier finished and cemented in.

Battelling with the wind and rain at times and mixing 23 bags of concrete mix it was all worth every sore muscle in my body.

The pier is around 135 cm from ground level fully concreted into the hole with rebar.

You probably all know that i have been a bit worried about aligning the mount to Polaris and i had an idea while building the pier.

I created a wooden mount plate and went out at around 11pm to carry out a polar alignment. This worked a treat and i marked the position in the top of the pier.

Heres a picture of the wooded pier plate.

Now its Sunday and the cement has set nicely.

Time to finish the job off. The rebar is not exactly centre but who cares, this pier doesn't budge at all.

Father-in-law giving me a hand

So now for the base and flooring, it'll have to wait till tomorrow.

[Stardust]

Nice work Chris, I can totally appreciate the time and effort you're putting into this project.

Looks very wet though, I've had a very dry weekend on mine. It'll be good when the floor is down, at least you'll be out of the mud.

keep going

DAve

[tom.yates]

Looks good mate you cant beat a observatory

[robindurant]

I look forward to watching your progress

[Chris Graham]

Some more work done.

:sunny:

[Chris Graham]

Flooring has now been treated with wood preserve and secured.

[geppetto]

You should be justly proud of that mate 8)

Wonderful job.

You'll soon be sat in there gazing at the stars mug of tea in hand

Continued good luck with it

[Stardust]

All the hard work is done but the sad thing is that no one can see it!

I'm sure it will shoot up now.

Dave

[Chris Graham]

Another big update -

Shed up, roof up and wheels on!

Looking amazing and I'm really happy.

Roof frame

Took four of us to lift this roof up over the decking.

So a big thanks to Derek, Karen (my wife) and Maureen

Only got two tunbuckles on just now as a temporary measure, but the roof wont budge at all even with that.

Supports to be cemented in tomorrow.

And i just could not resits placing the scope on the pier. :lol: :D

WHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHOooooooooooooo!!!!

I now have a roll off roof shed!!

Still a few things to finish.

[Chris Graham]

Oh btw i want to say a big thanks to Mike of http://almiraobservatory.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/ and Mark of http://www.linnhe2.free-online.co.uk/index.html for all their help and great information on their site.

Cheers guys!!!

[Stardust]

Brilliant Chris, that did go up quick and really looks the part . You must be very happy.

Rain has hampered my progress and the forcast for the next week isn't too bright. Sods law as I have a weeks holiday. Oh well I'll catch you up soon.

DAve

[Chris Graham]

Lots more work done.

Here are some pictures.

I must say a big thanks to my wife for making it look nice

Well thats it almost complete. Just the kitting out to do and painting the pier.

Chris

[barkis]

Allow me to salute you Chris. You have created a great little ob for yourself that is bound to enhance your astronomy no end.

Well done indeed, and I look forward to the superb results that will come out of that great little observatory.

Also, a word of praise for your good lady, who I am sure was a big help to you in her own way during this project.

Lots of good astronomy to you.

Ron.

[geppetto]

Outstanding!

Bet you grin every time you spot it through the window.

Very well done mate and thanks for taking the time to post such excellent pictures

which will be a great resource for others 8)

[Chris Graham]

Thanks everyone for the replies.

I have enjoyed this project so much and cannot believe I know have an obs in my garden.

It really is a dream come true!!!

I'll post more pics when i get the inside sorted.

[centroid]

I know exactly how you feel Chris, its a great feeling of achievement and satisfaction,when it all finally comes together.

Without any doubt, the obs will be the biggest boost to your enjoyment of the hobby ever. No longer will you have to think 'is it worth setting up, as it might cloud over later'. Now you can be up and running within minutes, and packed away in the same sort of time, if it does cloud over.

Thanks for the allowing us to see the project grow, from a muddy hole in the ground, to a 'fully fledged' observatory. I have enjoyed following your progress.

Dave

[jaspa]

That is very nice

Hope to have something like that one day.

[SteelRat]

That looks a treat that does 8) Nice work.