New ROR observatory

[chrisp9au]

My new DIY observatory, almost ready for first light!
Flat pack garden shed from eBay for $420 delivered, 2.5m x 2.0m x 1.78m, braced internally with 90x45 treated pine. ‘V’ pulley wheels on steel rails for the roll off roof. Timber pier, set in 250kg of quick set concrete, isolated from the shed. Sky horizon limited to the west so reduced roof movement. Best position on our suburban block considering street lights etc. and it will give me good views to the north, south and east. Carpet tiles on the plywood floor give it a bit of class and there is a bed for the dog who has supervised the whole project! Very happy with the way it has worked out.

[h0ughy]

Looks fantastic

[mura_gadi]

looks sweet, love the small footprint of the overhang post.

Best of all SHMBO had a look and said you could do that up in the corner... so, a little yippee on that one for me.


Thanks

[chrisp9au]

Ah yes, SWMBO! I planted the seed in her mind last year, and she is happy with the result.
Thanks Steve, good luck with your project!

[chrisp9au]

Thanks David, might have to call it the dog house?

[iborg]

Hi Chris



Looks like you've done a very nice job.


One query, if the wind is blowing and it is raining, can water be blown in at the apex?


Philip

[chrisp9au]

Hi Philip, We had some decent rain over the past few days, quite heavy at times, and I had no leaks at all. The ridge panel remains just as it would be if the roof didn't roll off. It is secured on the western side which is where most of our weather comes from, unsecured on the eastern side. It is fairly rigid, and I don't anticipate any issues.
Thank you for the compliment! :2thumbs:

[iborg]

Hi Chris


Good news. Enjoy your doghouse!


Philip

[croweater]

Hi Chris, that is an excellent, neat job. Love the simplicity (even though probably not simple for me) . Plus I haven't seen a wooden pier before. Great job. I think my wife would even be happy with something similar in her garden.
Cheers, Richard.
PS who needs West anyhow. I prefer things on the way up, not down :)

[chrisp9au]

Thanks Richard, My thinking exactly, all the best views are straight up!

[chrisp9au]

As for the wooden pier, I'm sure the purists will be shaking their heads, mathematical proofs of variable vibration resonances etc. etc. :einstein:
I don't care, I had the timber on hand, it's solid as anything I know, and I don't intend to kick it when I'm viewing! :P

[JA]

Well done Chris. Very neatly done :thumbsup:

Best
JA

[chrisp9au]

Thank you JA :thumbsup:

[Boozlefoot]

Lovely job Chris. I've been persisting with the "pier plantation" in my garden for some time now, using the excuse - "Nah,too complicated".
You've shown it isn't too complicated, and seeing as I was given a similar shed last month means my argument has fallen to the ground. Pegging out the slab in the morning!
Thanks for inspiring me
Rod

[chrisp9au]

Thanks Rod, good luck with the project.
I confess I started off with no real idea how I was going to do the roof.
I assembled the shed to completion as per the supplied instructions, including the roof.
Then I went into contemplation mode for a few days, waiting for the ah-ha moment to arrive.
Then I disconnected the roof and went for it!