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Old 09-01-2015, 06:39 PM
glend (Glen)
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Another Small ROR Observatory

With my pier completed and the posts and footings in the ground I am ready to start on the building proper. The Obs will be 1800 x 2400, sitting on six 100 x100 square posts. Just trying to work out the bearer and joist sizing and have found a range of views on this from basic timber garden shed to others with better specs than most homes built to standard spans.

What is adequate? I am leaning towards 145x75 for the bearers. Joist will be in hangers.

Last edited by glend; 09-01-2015 at 08:29 PM.
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Old 09-01-2015, 08:09 PM
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h0ughy (David)
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i used H4 treated pine - 200mm for everything - nothing like overkill
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Old 11-01-2015, 12:33 AM
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strongmanmike (Michael)
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Originally Posted by h0ughy View Post
+ one small boy

In case it is of help, here is mine Glen I recon it is about right, not too overkill and not flimsy either.

Mike
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Old 11-01-2015, 08:26 AM
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h0ughy (David)
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Originally Posted by strongmanmike View Post
+ one small boy

In case it is of help, here is mine Glen I recon it is about right, not too overkill and not flimsy either.

Mike
yes nothing like overkill eh
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Old 11-01-2015, 12:56 PM
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strongmanmike (Michael)
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yes nothing like overkill eh
...ah yes, remember that day now Cleo (Walsend special edition) centre spread shoot
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Old 11-01-2015, 01:30 PM
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According to the timber framing manual I have for pine (F5) single span bearers (supported at each end with no intermediate support) supporting floor joists only:
140x70 at a bearer spacing of 1200 is good for 2400 span**
140x70 at a bearer spacing of 1500 is good for 2200 span.

The sizes increase for bearers supporting load bearing walls however I doubt your shed is going to be heavy enough to worry about that.

For the floor joists (single spans):
120x35 joists at 600 spacing can do 1800 span
120x45 joists at 600 spacing can do 2000 span
120x35 joists at 450 spacing can do 1900 span
120x45 joists at 450 spacing can do 2100 span

for continuous spans:
120x35 joists at 600 spacing can do 2100 span
120x45 joists at 600 spacing can do 2300 span
120x35 joists at 450 spacing can do 2200 span
120x45 joists at 450 spacing can do 2400 span
90x45 joists at 600 spacing can do 1600 span**

** this should work for your shed dimensions and footing layout.
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Old 11-01-2015, 01:40 PM
glend (Glen)
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Thanks Peter for that info.
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Old 14-01-2015, 07:09 PM
glend (Glen)
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Finished the deck framing and have attached a couple of photos. Before framing the deck I shaved the lawn down to dirt and sprayed weed killer on anything left, then put the weed mat down. Still some minor stuff to do before putting the floor on, like cable conduit
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Old 27-01-2015, 10:33 AM
glend (Glen)
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I have the walls completed and mounted to the deck, the roof is completed in the big shed.
The observatory is being built as group of six pre-fab panels (four walls, deck/floor, and roof), and it can be broken down again to move to another site (if ever required). The only tools required to disassemble it will be my trusty impact driver, an angle grinder to cut the wall tie down straps, and a chain saw to cut through the footing posts; then the panels can be stacked on large box trailer and taken away - the pier is another matter of course..
I did a test mount of the ROR to check clearances and movement and then removed it to put the roof panels on. I decided to use Suntuff Polycarbonate roof panels because they are light and will no doubt last longer than I probably will. I can lift the roof section on one end and get it onto the end of the track and then push it on from there.

I will get some update photos on when the rain stops. Right now its covered up with a big tarp until this rain event goes away.

The exterior wall skin has been a hard decision but I refuse to pay the prices that are being asked for weatherboard and manufacturered panels ( and they are heavy). I will probably go with marine ply and seal it with epoxy resin (as I know this technique well from my boatbuilding days). This will keep the wall panels light enough to be handled if a move is required.

Photos to come.
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Old 30-01-2015, 08:12 AM
glend (Glen)
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At last the rain stopped and that allowed me to get the external skin on the frame. I went with marine ply as I am used to working with that and can get pretty good results. All nail heads have been punched down on the exterior and will be filled prior to finishing. As you can see by the photos it's pretty much just cube at this stage. I should get the roof on today, just need to prime and topcoast the sides and put on the flashing all around. The skirt I will do later. The flooring is external ply flooring panels (with the tongue and groove), sealed with two coats of Bondal timber sealer. The floor will get indoor/outdoor carpet when finished. All the external skin ply is sealed and then will be primed with Bin123 primer and topcoated with Dulux Weathershield. I am leaving the extended rail support posts till later, as the important thing right now is to get it to lockup stage, or at least far enough along so I don't have to fight with tarps if it rains again.
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Old 30-01-2015, 10:07 PM
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Dealy (Kev)
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Looking good Glen

What height walls did you settle on?
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Old 30-01-2015, 10:37 PM
glend (Glen)
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Kev the walls are 1500mm tall but I have standing head room inside with the roof on. I got the roof on today, what a hard job for one old guy. Will have the roof on photos tomorrow.
I used my big dob ramps ( that I use to roll it into the back of the 4wd) to get the roof up to the track and one set of castors engaged in the track, and then lifted the sucker and pushed it on.
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Old 31-01-2015, 02:20 PM
glend (Glen)
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Roof On Photos

As promised here are the photos of the roof now sitting on top of the observatory. The front flexible weather strip is plastic dampcourse material stapled to the front panel (staples to be covered with a small timber batten). The track roller stop blocks have been put in place at the front. The roof sides will get a weather board to block the wheel gap. Once I get the gaps closed up it should be weather proof (except the door opening of course).
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Old 08-02-2015, 11:25 AM
glend (Glen)
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Progress Update

Getting near the end now (well at least the external structure). The walls are now primed and ready for the final colour. The wall joint flashing is ready to go on and I have started making the door. I test mount of the NEQ6 and 10" Newt proved all my measurements were ok with good clearance all around. The scope does have to be rotated on the RA to clear the sliding roof, but I prefer that to having to deal with construction and sealing a hatch in the front of the roof. An unforseen advantage of the steeper slope of the skillion roof is that it blocks off a street light further up the hill. The walls are 1500mm high. Need to get started on digging the trench for the power cables.
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Old 21-02-2015, 11:47 AM
glend (Glen)
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Lockup Stage

I finally finished the door and got it hung and lockset installed. That pretty much completes the exterior (although I may add some solid side curtains at some point, but it has stayed dry inside so far). Working on the interior workstation fitout now.
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