An observatory is born.... - Page 3

Garyh · #41 22-09-2007, 08:14 AM

Lookin good Lee. Hows it coming along? you must be close to getting it totally finished!
are you planning on insulating the walls and the roof.
Mine is getting closer to completion as well..just about ready to put the insulation in the roof and put on the corrugated iron. Took my a while to work out the rollers and how to lock down the roof..
cheers Gary

Lee · #42 22-09-2007, 08:30 PM

Yep - almost done - I have more pics on my webpage..... Finished the roofing sides and corrugated iron today actually (1 hour ago!) - in the dark! The last roof screws went in under torch-light. No pics yet - too tired now.....
I'm not going to insulate the roof/walls at the moment - will wait and see how it goes once we are operational.

Alchemy (Clive) · #43 22-09-2007, 11:47 PM

Might suggest you at least put the silver insulation stuff on the roof to stop the drips from condensation in the early morning.

Making good progress.... everyone will want one now.

Lee · #44 23-09-2007, 06:53 AM

There is a layer of 9mm ply under the iron - should achieve the same....

acropolite (Phil) · #45 23-09-2007, 02:32 PM

Looks good Lee, now all you need is the Dr Who exterior theme and you're ready to blast off.

norm · #46 23-09-2007, 09:18 PM

Looks fantastic Lee. Solid construction and very tidy job, certainly no sloppy work there !!!

Lee · #47 23-09-2007, 09:47 PM

Thanks for all the kind words guys....

Well - all done!

Exterior/structure anyway - still need to route wiring, do some interior wall cladding and painting and carpet etc.... Then put the scope in!
Looking forward to set-up times of minutes over hours....

Some learning points -
* exterior ply - still make sure it is fully painted before any wet weather exposure
* don't paint late in the afternoon, especially if rain could be likely (der!)
* be careful how heavy you make a prefabricated part - especially if it needs to be carefully lifted 6 feet in the air!

Ric · #48 24-09-2007, 10:02 AM

Looks great Lee, I see the guard pooch is already on patrol.

Cheers

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #49 25-09-2007, 04:48 AM

Looks great Lee. I've GOT to make one in our own back yard now. The only question I have is did you feel that you needed to get permission from either your council, or neighbours, to build it considering that it's so close to a fence and that it is higher than that fence? Sorry if you've mentioned it somewhere earlier in the thread or elsewhere...

I get the feeling that my own council might have a problem with one of these, but then again we've neighbours that have build some pretty large sheds in their back yards without any consultation..

Cheers
Chris

Lee · #50 25-09-2007, 07:31 AM

There is no mention of observatories in the Newcastle environmental plan - there is an entry for Sheds/Cubbies/Lawn Lockers etc and Hey, this is a telescope storage shed....

There are criteria set out for developments which are exempt from requiring a permit: for sheds etc
* one per site
* not between dwelling and street, and wholly within the block of course
* 600mm from any boundary
* 1m from any sewer line
* doesn't encroach on watercourse/easements etc
* consent given for tree removal required - what tree!

???
* less than 2.4m high and less than 7 sq m area
* etc etc - heritage listing/bushfire stuff

The way I see it - it complies, and doesn't need a permit..... My neighbours have been supportive and interested also - always helps. Would be best to check out your local town planning regs though.

Hope this helps.....

addit - I've often thought that perhaps a council would have a problem with the rolling roof - in terms of whether it could become airborne..... For my roof to come off, 5-7 high tensile 10mm bolts need defeating - my house and half the neighbourhood's would be in serious strife prior to this (certainly all the Bunnings sheds!)... and the size/weight ratio of this roof would need cyclone Tracey to lift it I'm sure!

h0ughy (David) · #51 25-09-2007, 08:18 AM

looks great Lee and I must say I need to come over for a visit!! You are right in our LEP there is no listing for an observatory.

Garyh · #52 25-09-2007, 08:53 AM

Looks great Lee!! Your house would blow away before your obs would.
I think I would stay in it for shelter in a big storm!!
No probs here with council as well as its under 10 sq mtrs and 2.4m high.
I`m very happy as now have the tin on, no more tarps!
Might add another 2 locking bolts for a total of 6-1/2" bolts as they are just plain old mild steel. I think the wall frames would be torn apart before the bolts sheer!!
cheers Gary

Lee · #53 25-09-2007, 08:58 AM

Yep - being such a small structure it is very rigid - and built for Darwin really! The only reason I really used high tensile bolts - that's all the fastener place had at the time in M10x200mm, and they were still only $2 each anyway.... I did get a quote for stainless in the same size - $25 per bolt

In a really big storm, we'll be in the obs, strapped to the pier!

Lee · #54 25-09-2007, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h0ughy

looks great Lee and I must say I need to come over for a visit!!

Any time mate....

Topher · #55 26-09-2007, 08:09 AM

Great Job Lee. I am so jealous, it makes me want to go out and buy a block of land just so I can build myself an ob. But "She who must be obeyed"

has said that we are getting a house first.

Hang on! If we build a house I may be able to talk her into designing the house with an ob in it!

Enjoy your new "storm shelter" Lee and I hope you have many enjoyable clear skies in it.

Chris

Lee · #56 14-10-2007, 08:04 PM

Well we are operational.....
Fully painted and fitted out for sea. I'm not a Meade fanboi - the blue colour I picked for the walls should be called "Meade Blue" by Dulux, as it turned out quite a match!

leon · #57 14-10-2007, 08:21 PM

Very Nice lee and it looks very functional, great job

leon

xelasnave · #58 14-10-2007, 09:15 PM

Lee congratulations on a fine effort.
One thingyou have done (apart from all the other neat things) is to "focus" on decoration. I love the color scheme..no doubt practical ..but you dont see many observatories that pay any attention to a decent color job.
Inspirational.
alex

Topher · #59 15-10-2007, 08:16 AM

Just Magic Lee. While I thought that you would be pushed for room to move, I see you actually have room for other things too. Well done again and I hope mine (when I get a chance to build it) turns out half as good. Thanks for all the photos and the inspiration.

All the best and clear skies,

Ric · #60 15-10-2007, 02:14 PM

Excellent work Lee, it's come up a treat.

A job to be proud of.

Cheers