Cubbyhouse Observatory?

[netwolf]

Hi All,

Kal found this and sent it to me and it looks like a ecconomical way to build a Observatory. Just wondering if anyone has used one of these or similar?
Given the safety requirements these would have to pass i wonder if they would be structurally better than using a Tin Shed.

http://www.cubbyhouse.com.au/shopmastery_pop2.php?cat1=Cubby+Hou ses&cat2=Glenbrook

The also sell Sheds but they seem to be more expensive.
http://www.cubbyhouse.com.au/garden_sheds.shtml


Regards
Fahim

[leon]

Hey Fahim, they look pretty neat, if funds were tight and one just wanted to convert one to a slide off Ob,

Nice find.

Leon

[Lee]

I'm not sure exactly what safety requirements they would need to pass - they are basically big toys don't forget?? I would have doubts on them being structurally more robust than the shed, especially given the bracing you tend to need to turn a shed into a ROR obs....

[madtuna]

Honestly, I'd skip the Glenbrook and be more inclined to buy the Large Fort or Small Activity.
Every observatory should have a slippy slide :)

[Merlin66]

I also looked at this type of cubby/ shed. They are more expensive than the tin sheds (http://www.gardensheds.com.au/?gclid=CPyN_5bFrZUCFQIVEAod4HMgkg) and I found they were very basic ie. stapled together with no real internal bracing. Remember the white ants love 'em.
You should really inspect one up close.

[Ian Robinson]

I had one of those when I was a teenager , just so happens dad built a cubbyhouse in the backyard and when us kids grew out of it, it became a place for the dog to sleep , it became a chook house too for while , and then the lawnmower and garden tools and a stack of redbacks took up residence.

Then I took it over , made the roof removeable and housed the telescope there on a pedestal and it served as a backyard observatory until I started work and found myself on shiftwork and unable to devote as much time to star gazing .

I think eventually the termites found it and dad demolished and burned it.

If you want a robust easy to mod observatory , I reckon an old secondhand shipping container would be the go if you can get hold of a small one ,or medium sized one depending on how many scopes will live inside it , and get it and a big forklift or a crane onto site and are handy with the oxy and welder.

[Kal]

Hi Fahim,

I intend on going out and having a first hand look at these to make judgement when I get back from holiday. Regarding their structural integrity, some more pictures can be seen on this FAQ page: http://www.cubbyhouse.com.au/childsplay.shtml

[turbo_pascale]

PM Stuart (rat156) on here - he build a cubby house obs about a year ago.

Edit: See this post: http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=19390

Turbo

[Ian Robinson]

You would hope they are well built , they are designed for kids to play in and need to be robust and not likely to fall apart .

[rat156]

Hi Fahim,

I have absolutely no regrets about the cubbyhouse observatory. It's not cheap, but it works extremely well. Make you so much more productive when you're permanently setup.

Cheers
Stuart

[Merlin66]

This is a very good write-up on the construction of a 3m x 3m ROR observatory. Well worth the read.
http://www.linnhe2.free-online.co.uk/observatory/index.html

[Glenhuon]

Thanks for the link Merlin66, given me a few ideas for building mine. Just wish the soil here was as easy digging though, gonna be tough going into the clay thats 12" down in the yard, just about a gelignite job.

Bill

[astro_nutt]

Hi everyone...
I've just about completed my roll-away cubby which houses the scope, mount and observing chair..It's made fron 25mm treated pine, heavily braced and coated with decking oil with a final coat of weathershield. The roof is corrigated iron painted white while the interior is insulated and fully lined. Four heavy-duty castors makes it easy to move around.
I will provide details and photo's soon..
Cheers!