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Originally Posted by gregbradley
Wow, that sure isn't going anywhere!
Those stone walls - are they retaining walls? You're not building the observatory walls using them are you? They look like they'd retain a lot of the daily heat and radiate it up for hours in the night.
Lightweight walls would be the go. Timber or metal frame and colorbond with aircell insulbreak is what I used and it works great. During a hot day the observatory is reasonably cooler inside. I have it under the roof and walls and spray painted it matt black as it is silver otherwise.
What about roll off roof and wheels etc? That can be tricky and really affect the outcome.
My advice here is:
1. Ask on the forum for various systems as there are many ways of doing it.
2. Make sure the roof clears the scope so if the scope swings it can't hit the roof. Also that a truss horizontal member clears the scope.
3. Keep your walls parallel and work out the track system so the roof rolls off and closes fairly easily. If you go to Bunnings your wheel choices are very limited. Richmond Castors and wheels have lots and I think they have an online store. They are in Wetherill Park Sydney.
4. You could use 100mm C purlin for the track, it comes in 6.1 metre lengths. I'd ask around as there have been some nice systems here and mine has been a source of trouble.
Greg.
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Hi Greg
The stone walls are for retaining. They will not be going any higher than 1m. The site will be backfilled and levelled.
The next part of the plane was to build a platform over the top of the retaining walls and over the top of the pier footing. The platform will not touch the footing. It will protrude over the edge of the retaining walls by 1.5m this will offer shade to the stone so it will not heat up to much.
The platform will be made of Galvanised i beam as the main bearer, then timber joists with a timber floor. The timber I will use will be Cypress, very termite resistant. There will be a railing around the edge of the platform. Walking around in the dark with a sharp drop is not recommended.
As far as the walls and roof are concerned I have not given it a lot of thought yet. This has been a bit of a rush job so I can get a pier in and use the MX.
Your suggestion of light weight walls make sense. I will most likely use a treated pine timber frame and as you said some colour bond cladding with insulation in between.
The roof, I will be asking a lot of questions.
I wil post more photos as I go. I could not do any work today as it has been raining all day. ( must be all that new gear)
Cheers
Phil