My non-observatory shed

[iceman (Mike)]

Hi all

Here's a few before and after pics of my storage shed!

Put it together on Saturday, was fairly painless - except for doing it in the heat and cutting my hand!

Glad to have the scope + mount close to my observing area now, makes setting up and tearing down quicker and easier.

Just need to sort out ventilation and insulation now.

[DobDobDob (Ron)]

Looks a treat so far Mike, even the angle you managed to squeeze it in

[snowyskiesau]

Looks good.
I'd suggest installing some duck boards so the items in the shed don't sit on the concrete. Although the slab/pavers seem to be above ground level, you will get some runoff down the walls when it rains.

[h0ughy (David)]

looks like the dog house Mike, your water bowl is even out there. LOL

[rmcpb (Rob)]

Looking good. How is the lock or do you trust your neighbours totally?

[Miaplacidus (Brian)]

Very good, Mike. I am now officially jealous. In order to get my dob into the back year I have to carry it up ten steps. Sometimes they seem as tortuous as the seven circles of hell.

Yes, I was going to ask. What is the story with the floor? Are they large concrete pavers or what?

Cheers,

Brian.

[iceman (Mike)]

Thanks guys.
Geoff - thanks for the tip. Will look into it. I have noticed condensation on the walls and ceiling already.

Rob - I don't have a padlock yet, but do trust my neighbours. I will still get a lock.

Brian - that's exactly why I built it. Carrying the 22kg tube up the side path around the back, past the dog and cat.. it was asking for trouble. The floor is made from 900mm x 450mm concrete pavers (8 of them).

[acropolite (Phil)]

As a real estate sales lady once said "Man's not a man without a shed". May I suggest one of those neat little Osram DOTit lights for illumination while your packing and unpacking.

[netwolf]

Wow, Mike I like it, where is the sleeping bag. My only concern with a shed, is that I will come home one day and all my stuff will be in there. Bits and pieces I am hording and slowly seem to miagrate to the garage everytime there is a clean out. I am afraid that in the end there will be little room left for my scope.

I assume this is a Aluminum shed? Do they make them in Fiberglas?

[taminga16 (Greg)]

Mike, how have you secured the shed to the slab?

P.S. styrene foam is a great no mess insulation material.

regards Greg.

[Shawn]

Get some of that foil lined insulation Mike, works a treat for condensation too.
miosture block I think its called , I used it on mine...Stopped the sweating and mold instantly....

S

[rmcpb (Rob)]

Originally Posted by iceman

Thanks guys.
I have noticed condensation on the walls and ceiling already.

Mike,

That condensation will be the bane of your life. Keep a CLOSE eye on it as mould will start growing on everything if it is not controlled.

Looks like you will need some sort of active ventillation system to keep it under control as it is coming up through the pavers on the warm days and condensing in the evenings.

Otherwise, you could raise it onto a wooden floor on stumps so the floor is totally dry.

Would hate to see you have problems with that bit of gear.

Cheers

[davidpretorius]

Originally Posted by iceman

was fairly painless - except for doing it in the heat and cutting my hand!

classic, my sort of handyman skills!!!

wheres the pool table and fridge full of beer?

[xelasnave]

Mike as Greg suggested secure the shed to the ground. Mine got blown over a couple of days after putting it up before I could secure it to the pier. Also consider pine panelling it is very easy to put in and looks great also has a fair degree of insulating quality. You can purchase a "wall" at a time. Have the timber cut to lenght so each plank fits into the corner recess but secure from the outside with small self tapping screws. I would recomend an elevated timber floor. The particle board used for bathroom floors would be ideal and that can rest on hard wood bearers (such as old real estate sign stakes) Do not underestimate moisture it loves to come up thru cement. Even a sheet of black plastic with masonite over lay would help but air flow under is the best to go for. Old computer fans should provide decent air flow and even a large one only draws .23 amps so you could have a small solar panel to run them...I expect you could lay your hands on some old computers to source the fans.. even a small car battery wont mind the current they draw.
Great to see you now have your wish.
alex