ICEINSPACE
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Waning Gibbous 66.3%
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27-08-2008, 01:19 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,949
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Cubbyhouse Observatory?
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/shopmas...cat2=Glenbrook
The also sell Sheds but they seem to be more expensive.
http://www.cubbyhouse.com.au/garden_sheds.shtml
Regards
Fahim
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27-08-2008, 01:34 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Warrnambool
Posts: 12,798
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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
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27-08-2008, 02:25 PM
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Colour is over-rated
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Newcastle, Australia
Posts: 2,414
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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....
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27-08-2008, 03:38 PM
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an overactive imagination
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Erlistoun WA
Posts: 592
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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
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27-08-2008, 05:58 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Junortoun Vic
Posts: 8,927
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I also looked at this type of cubby/ shed. They are more expensive than the tin sheds ( http://www.gardensheds.com.au/?gclid...FQIVEAod4HMgkg) 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.
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27-08-2008, 06:28 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Gateshead
Posts: 2,205
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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.
Last edited by Ian Robinson; 27-08-2008 at 06:38 PM.
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27-08-2008, 07:03 PM
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1¼" ñì®våñá
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Sydney
Posts: 1,845
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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
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27-08-2008, 11:48 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Gateshead
Posts: 2,205
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 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
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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 .
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28-08-2008, 12:45 AM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 1,696
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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
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28-08-2008, 10:54 AM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Junortoun Vic
Posts: 8,927
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Scottish Solution
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...ory/index.html
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30-08-2008, 09:11 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Geraldton, WA
Posts: 1,440
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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
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02-09-2008, 03:24 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 1,013
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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!
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