Thanks for the input(s). The thread referred to confirmed a couple of other aspects of my design. I'm designing at a 5/8 dome to improve water shedding and am keen to have a wide slit. I'm currently inclined to use a horizontally opening set-up as in the Hale observatory design so that I can vary slit width but want a full 1m opening if I can swing it. I reckon it will be essential with the set-up I have (C14 FLT 132 S.B.S.)
The insect problem is one I have yet to master. I have "jack-jumper" ants about and it's like a lightning strike when they bite. If that wasn't bad enough, I had an "inch and half man" ant face me down the other day when I was using the jackhammer. It was a close contest, but the little Bas?ard won.
The dome will be on a concrete base but the riser wall is about 65cm high made of 200mm X 45mm aged oak, (60 years), I bagged from a demolition site a few years back. I've built the octagonal frame walls and, even though they are only currently glued, can jump up and down on a single segment with impunity. Believe me, I ain't no tinker-bell either
Dome design is ongoing. Gut instinct says I should go for an "I" beam ring because of the symmetry; I have a quote for a 75mm x 150mm ring 3000 mm diameter and I am about settled on that. I am still open to suggestions though. I had also already decided on the 8 wheel concept, (thanks for the confidence boost), which is good.
Dome itself? Dunno yet. I like geodesic from way back but think trapezoid would be less complex and now find I can get big rings rolled pretty cheaply I may go "traditional".... Decisions, decisions!
the journey continues..