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  #81  
Old 20-05-2019, 02:28 PM
The_Guru (Ian)
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Hi Bojan
Any update on the rollers?
For my observatory I had the dome rollers machined from solid ACETAL plastic rod. It has all the properties that I hope will make them long lasting. So far after many months all seems good.
Cheers
Ian
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  #82  
Old 20-05-2019, 02:36 PM
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Hi Ian,

Not many news at the moment - the rollers are here, waiting for everything else.

I also prepared square hollows (86 x 86 x 6mm, 200mm long) that will be slipped onto ø96mm tube, as adapter for the rollers with shafts (high tensile bolts). Will post the drawing later today.
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  #83  
Old 20-05-2019, 04:06 PM
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This is what the support pillar (one of 8) for dome ring will look like.
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  #84  
Old 21-05-2019, 09:14 AM
The_Guru (Ian)
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I have high tensile bolts for the rollers to run on (and a bit of grease) and have had no problems.
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  #85  
Old 21-05-2019, 09:38 AM
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Yep.. I plan to use ø18mm bolts

My dome will be no more than 2500N total.. plus wind load.
So let's say 300N max per roller average, and ~1000N when windy. Those bolts should sustain this without problem.
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  #86  
Old 28-05-2019, 08:04 AM
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Now I am facing a dilemma (again) - It occured to me that it may be better to use the existing room (study on top of the garage) for observatory...

The only drawback is, I need a relatively high concrete pier (~3m?) which will be built in the back of the garage/workshop (it won't take much space there so workshop would remain functional), going through the floor of the upper room (study),where there will be an elevated deck ~0.5m around the scope (which needs to protrude though the roof of the study)

The study roof is leaking (so far I couldn't figure where the rain gets in), so it needs repair anyway... with ROR, or with upper segment of the geodome I already prepared for standalone dome in the middle of the backyard.

One advantage would be all the work would be done inside the existing object.. so no need to notify the council.


Anyway.. what will be will be.
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Last edited by bojan; 28-05-2019 at 09:40 AM.
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  #87  
Old 28-05-2019, 09:51 AM
AstroApprentice (Jason)
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OrbitJet Observatory

The OrbitJet Observatory might provide you with some inspiration:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/276841...7644177074161/
A besser block pier through the house would be relatively easy to construct...
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  #88  
Old 28-05-2019, 10:07 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AstroApprentice View Post
The OrbitJet Observatory might provide you with some inspiration:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/276841...7644177074161/
A besser block pier through the house would be relatively easy to construct...
Yes, I saw this...
However, I would still like to use the geo-dome (part of it that is..)... It is stored now in this very study.
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  #89  
Old 10-06-2019, 06:39 PM
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I made up my mind - I am going with ROR.


All I have to do is to make the cover (welded steel frame, polycarbonate or colorbond roofing), remove the existing colorbond from 2x2m area in the corner and place two rails (similar to what is used for sliding gates, "L" profile 25x25mm).


The second stage will be to cut the floor of the studio, so concrete pier (16~18 standard concrete blocks from Bunnings, 190x190x390) can be built on existing footing up into studio above.
And that will be it.
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  #90  
Old 11-06-2019, 08:50 AM
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If you are going to go roll off roof I see no point in the dome other than not wasting the resourses invested to date...however its completion will require more effort than what I expect would be a more sensible option that of a flat roof. It is hard to abandon something but unless you can find a clear benefit of the dome as a slide off over a much simpler flat roof dont fall for the enticement to try and salvage the effort to date on the dome...if you like the dome use it in the manner it was first envisaged.
I do think you need to approach this project more professionally by setting dead lines and a specific completion date.. as at the moment you have no completion date...you must know what that translates to...so can I encourage you to commit to a date when it will be finished...if there was one thing I learned from my race days is that once you have a dead line you will meet it...we completly rebuilt a motor and gear box in three days so it could be raced on day four...these days such a project would sit unattended for years and actually never get done. Why what is the difference..knowlegde and tools are the same but no completion date means only one thing..no completion unless by chance.
Commit and complete and get on with the real aspects of the hobby you enjoy...think of the implications of the term "dead line"☺
Sorry to be preaching I am just trying to help.
Alex
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  #91  
Old 11-06-2019, 08:55 AM
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I have designed another "cube" style arrangement 8x4x4 with a roll off roof to house both my mounts...I am going up right now to cut the timber☺ although I have not set a completion date which I will do later☺

Alex
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  #92  
Old 11-06-2019, 09:00 AM
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Alex, I know everything about deadlines... So I understand what you are talking about.
However, there are many external factors involved in this project (SWMBO is one of them). Another is my retirement... and (non) requirement of building permit (this approach will not need permit as it can be regarded as roof repair - which it is in essence).

I abandoned the idea of dome already - most likely I will try to sell/donate what I already have done, or re-use some items (rollers are already re-allocated to this version).
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  #93  
Old 11-06-2019, 09:11 AM
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Just retire. Again a date.
There is never a good time to start a business, have a baby or retire...you just have to bite the bullet and do it. Work is a bad habit which you have to break its not easy but it must be done...life is finite and good health is not a given..get in for your share immediately ...time to be slightly selfish...I put off retiring but fortunately I had complete break down and was carried out..I lost most everything lived in a shed but finally it all came good...I wish you all the best of course and just want to see you get to where you want to be.
Alex
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  #94  
Old 30-06-2019, 02:30 PM
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My new Mt Pleasant observatory

Well, I started work on my obs..
hole in garage ceiling /studio floor is where it should be and I started removing the studio ceiling....
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  #95  
Old 01-07-2019, 07:22 AM
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Good on you Bojan. Please keep the photos coming and try to do a little something each day towards your goal. Good luck I wish you all the best.
Alex
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  #96  
Old 01-07-2019, 08:22 AM
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Yep, bit by bit.. I will do as much as I can, to leave as little as possible to tradie (He will do concrete job and maybe a bit on the roof, and I am trying to minimise this part).
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  #97  
Old 01-07-2019, 08:47 AM
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For the lid, I was thinking about something like this...
Rail is simple galvanized 50x5 bar (Bunnings), 5m long (it will have to be made from 2~3 pieces).
The frame will be made of 70x35mm treated pine timber, covered with corrugated roofing (polycarbonate? or colorbond.. not sure yet).
It will have to be insulated from below, to avoid/minimise condensation.
I plan to use (Bunnings) garage brushes at edges to minimise wind coming inside.
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  #98  
Old 01-07-2019, 04:20 PM
Wilso
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There’s light weight insulated roof sheeting that’s available that comes with foam insulation that is self supporting over fairly long spans.
They use it on alfresco areas, I thought would be perfect for a roll off roof!
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  #99  
Old 02-07-2019, 06:31 AM
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Hi Bogan ,
This is the sort of thing Darren was talking about.
https://arcpanel.com.au/roof-systems...m-roof-system/

There's plenty of companies around but its not that cheap. The best thing is its span capabilities.
I built my beach observatory with something similar but never quite finished it (typical builders house!!!).
I used a quick steel frame, screwed the panels on, and then rendered it with acrylic render.
The roof panels just slide apart on rails with no wheels (not finished)
The roof could do with some colourbond but its still waterproof.
These panels cost me about $80 each for 2500x1200x75 with acrylic both sides.
My wife thought it looked a little bare so she got a bit artistic.
My new obs will be similar but bigger and finished
Just a few ideas maybe.
Cheers
Andy
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  #100  
Old 02-07-2019, 06:54 AM
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Guys,

Thank you for ideas, i will have a careful look :-)

The thing is, I am a bit limited by existing structure (some possible surprises are still hidden... they will be uncovered soon), but the details are still "plastic"...
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