What type of garden shed to use

[bluescope]

Originally Posted by JimmyH155

Well, I just used a 7ft x 5ft garden shed. Plonked it on the lawn and put 3 dobs of concrete for the tripod legs to sit on once polar aligned. Never had to align it again. The "sliding" part of the roof was simplicity itself - I just balanced the roof on top of the walls, and weighed it down with 8 bricks When I wanted to observe, just removed the 8 bricks and pulled the roof off towards me
The inevitable happened one day though....... A huge storm came through one afternoon, and the roof just flew off down the garden. BUT guess what??? The previous day, I had removed the scope into my garage for some reason I still can't fugure outAll the damage was bent roof, and soaked star charts I reassembled it with heavier bricks and included a rope over the roof tied down to large tent pegs

Hi Jimmy

I think maybe you should try and fit some padlocks to your roof

[I.C.D (Ian)]

Timelord (AL)

Started to do drawings using Viso have a mate who can change them to C.A.D drawings adding the measurement .Can you tell me what the of the slope of the roof is ,how the wheels are connected to the roof ,the gap between the roof and the “C” section .
Also can you add any more info which I can use in size depth of holes and foundation also adding the floor
Ian

[timelord (Al)]

Gooday Ian, Lets start with footings--the 4 main corners were set into 30cm X 750 holes filled with concrete I also added bearer supports midway ie 1.2 meters from the corner posts footing size here was 30 X 500. I used 50mm x200 treated pine--200mm was overkill but due to the fall of my land it covered the distance to the ground, the 50mm will fit nicely into the colorbond uprights and can be secured with screws
Now to the roof, I did not start the roof till all 4 walls and purlins were in place--I then made a framework of 35mm medium strength square tube to fit the perimiter of the 4 walls to the outside edges which measured approx 2.4 m sq. I then added 2 cross braces at 90 degrees to each other for strength and somewhere to screw the roofing sheets to , this give you 16 internal corners of which you will use 6 to attach 6 lengths of 35mm tube to carry the 6 wheels. The lengths of the 4 outermost wheel mount tubes determine the pitch of the roof--your choice, mine were 120mm difference in length front to rear. Fit the wheels to your droppers and feed the wheels into the purlins g clamp them into position check the roofs mobility and if happy weld into place. I also added small round teflon furniture glide pads in line with the folded lip of the purlins ro the wheel droppers to assist with tracking of the roof.(just visible in the photo). I then removed the assembled rolling chassis of the roof and lined the interior(ceiling side) with brace board ,you can use ply ,masonite whatever, applied a coat of sealer flipped it over installed batts insulation and covered it with foil insulation. It is much easier to build most of the roof on the ground. I contemplated adding the roofing iron at this stage but as it was getting pretty heavy decided against it. It still took 4 people to lift it into place as it was!
The floor is self explanatory from the photos, just had to add timber ledges on the perimiter bearers for somewhere to secure the floor boards
Hope this helps a bit more, remember do a bit have a beer , think a bit have another beer and do a bit--works for me.
Al.

[I.C.D (Ian)]

G”Day All,
Got the go ahead to build a home for my telescope from the treasury (wife) .Will be using colour bond fencing like Timelord (AL) has used .Had a couple of the boys out for BBQ and astronomy night last Saturday found the best site (on 5 acres) in the dark hope to start after I go on long service leave in September (40 weeks) .We talk about the size, so I am going for 3.1 x 3.1 x 2 m with a timber floor roll off roof , and concrete pier as they said you can’t have enough room .
Will keep you all inform of the progress with pictures
IAN

[timelord (Al)]

Look forward to the progress pics--have fun!