Cool idea, simple, cheap, effective. Ticks all the boxes.
I have a site but was struggling to justify a full observatory/mancave whereas a boxed pier looks like a good option. Could be moved in future as well.
Robin - I agree that she'd be a short pier. But as mentioned, it would fit the general height of an EQ6 Tripiod when the legs are collapsed. I usually shoot from this height. It's stable.
H - sure, feel free to mount your G11 and Tak FSQ combo in this hut. Better leave the 5DMkII as well!
Daniel - I have not seen one of these sheds close up. I think that the roof pivots to the vertical position, not all the way to the shed wall. But this rear 'visor' works for me, it would block street light glare that hit my house from that direction.
David - re height, any heigher and the roof would pop above my fence line, and be seen by the neighbors. It would be conceled in the corner of my yard in the current configuration.
Troy - yeah time flies, can't belive that I've been on here for a year already. Time to work smarter, not harder (= pier!)
Rob - the batts sound like a good idea. She'd get stinking hot in summer!
Brent - I agree, a pier is the first port of call. Time to get some info on this. The 'Man Land' can wait, as Bunnings is open all day every day!
Before we start chatting 'pier', I also had the idea to add 'curtains' to this setup. They would drape inside the Hut when the lid is closed, and provide additional 'light blocking super power' when pulled taught by the open roof! You could also slide them back and forth to open up viewing on either side if required.
I changed direction and went with a 'slide-off roof design'.
QIQ FIX brand from Bunnings
Model: YSC231419
Item No.: 3313093
2.3W v 1.4D v 2.3H
I looked at many sheds, many catalogues and ended up going with this guy. Pics to follow.
I will not be using a pier, so I need a way to mount the G11 tripod within the shed, feet touching the brick pavers underneath, while still keeping water and bugs out and not touching the floor of the shed itself to keep vibrations down (which I am yet to buy / make)... will need help with this part...
I was not in favour of the roll-off roof design. I don't like the side posts and extra length of the structure required to support the roof when off. And I was not keen on fold-open styles, all that weight swining open would require support structures / ropes etc.
I'll take some pics at home... but basically I have found a way to use ALL of the included parts, which keeps the structure strong, but with a few steps I can slide either of the 2 x roof panels up or down, creating a thin gap through which to image. It's the next best thing to a dome design, IMHO
Hi Logan, how are you going to arrange sliding roof panels on this? The couple I have assembled in the past seem to rely on the roof to square and stabilise the sides.
I also intend to use the Tripod for at least the near future. If you are not moving it then you can align it accurately and it is quite solid enough for my immediate plans anyway. My real issue is to protect the setup from water intrusion as humidity or the like so the better the seal at both roofline and floor level the happier I will be.
Brent, it's hard to describe, pics will tell a better story. The roof setup is sweet! Stay tuned I've already arranged the sliding roof panels, with no destructive cutting / griding of the stock shed.
As for water, same issues here. I've used pop rivets instead of the supplied screws, and I have added lines of silicone in the roof / panel areas to be super sure.
My other idea is to add a curtain of that thick black builders splastic. The stuff you use for concreting, ponds etc. The curtain opening will be at the door. The stuff is 2m high, so it will do a great job of blocking rain and will make the inside even darker!
I also brought a $5.00 outdoor chair cover (green plastic stuff) from Go-Lo. Perfect fit for the G11 with scope on. For added peace of mind...
Hey guys, it has been some time since I reported back. I ended up going with a QiQ Fix garden shed from bunnnings. Might do a YouTube vid to show how the sliding roof works, easier to explain that way.
Re the pier, well that's come a long way too. I dedided to go nuts and make a pier for life, here is the specs: square hollow section (SHS) 250 x 250 x 1000 long and 9mm thick! Bottom base plate 450 x 450 x 20 thick! Top plate will be 340 x 340 x 20 thick! Gussets 350 x 100 x 12 thick! She's getting welded in the next week or so and then hot dipped galvanised in Albury. Darn heavy, but a pier for life. Should carry a PMX or AP mount nicely. More pics to come. Logie.
Hey guys, here are the pier pics that I promised. This sucker is incredibly heavy! My aim was simple, build a pier for life and for that reason it's over-engineered for my current setup. Regardless of what mounts the years may bring this sucker will hold them with easy.
Note the floating top plate in the pics. This will sit on top of the pier and mirrors the top plate welded onto the pier. Depending on what mount I end up with (AP Mach1, 900, 1600 or MX) I'll get the holes of that mount tapped into the top floating plate. If I change mounts I can easily get a replacement floating top plate made and tap it to suit the new mount as needed. The pics will explain.
