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Old 21-07-2019, 03:30 PM
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My new Mt Pleasant ROR observatory

This is the continuation from previous thread.. since I abandoned the idea about geo-dome, I thought I should start a new thread to avoid confusion.
Anyway, weekend was pretty successful, all preparations are now done for "real" work.
Basically, I am going for Richmond system for hanging doors (Bunnings). Only the ROR will be obviously horizontal, riding between two 60mm channel rails.
As to pier, it will be built from concrete blocks (390x190x190 mm). Last 1.2 m will be concrete poured into cardboard tube ø200mm diameter (on picture below, concrete pier is presented by black cable reel, as its height is the same (55cm).

As a safety measure, I placed temporarily a floor door on the opening for pier, so I can't fall through in the garage below (again... - while concentrating on what's up, I forgot about down... So I tested the effects Earth gravity. The test went well, except for a small bruise on my bottom).
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Old 21-07-2019, 05:06 PM
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I am so happy to see you concentrating on your project. You will find it will be complete in no time at all.

Good luck and keep posting as to progress, ideas difficulties and list all falls and broken bones.
Be careful maybe a rope around the waist as a sort of safty harness...if nothing else it will remind you not to fall.
Well done keep up the good work.
Alex
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Old 21-07-2019, 06:14 PM
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Tanks for good wishes Alex :-)
The biggest problem so far was removal of thermal insulation (mulched paper?) Very dusty job, two trash cans full of stuff.
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Old 21-07-2019, 06:36 PM
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Tanks for good wishes Alex :-)
The biggest problem so far was removal of thermal insulation (mulched paper?) Very dusty job, two trash cans full of stuff.
Well dont throw it out☺.
A paper bust of someone..Newton would be good...you should have hosed it down.
And add reinforcement in your cement. .star pickets chicken wire at least..even i side the bricks.
Alex
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Old 22-07-2019, 08:13 AM
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Alex,

already disposed off.. I simply cant keep it - my storage space is limited.
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Old 22-07-2019, 05:02 PM
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This is the roof in question...
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Old 23-07-2019, 06:40 PM
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So what will you make your bust of Newton from now?☺
Keep at it..do a little something every day...I wish I was closer so I could give you a hand.
Alex
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Old 24-07-2019, 09:36 AM
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Alex, thank you for your offer, I really appreciate the intent..
As to material for bust, I have lot more of stuff in the rest of the roof.. And I still have that pain in the b*** to remind me of existence of gravity
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Old 24-07-2019, 10:41 AM
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Alex, thank you for your offer, I really appreciate the intent..
As to material for bust, I have lot more of stuff in the rest of the roof.. And I still have that pain in the b*** to remind me of existence of gravity
At an advanced age normal falls are life threatning so please be careful.

Just keep at it and I know so much presents to keep one away from the really important things..getting your observatory is however the most important thing to focus upon.

If you look at all we do it becomes apparent that little of our efforts are just for us...there is so little time left unfortunately, a fact we carelessly overlook, so we must remain focused upon getting something out of the deal before everything passes us by.

And although GR does not treat gravity as a force I feel that approach is inconsistent with the injuries one can get ... now if one views gravity as a mountain of particles pushing one to the floor that for me makes more sense☺

Good luck and I look forward to regular postings of updates on your progress...very regular☺
Alex
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Old 24-07-2019, 01:14 PM
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Looks like someone has discovered the joys of using "foam in a can"!
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Old 02-08-2019, 12:45 PM
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I like the way you have filled all the flutes in the sheeting below the capping to keep the bugs and wind out of the roof. Profiled corrugated foam filler sections are expensive and hard to put in , especially single handed, so a lot of people just don’t bother. But it is required. Particularly in a bushfire zone.

The foam filler is genius.

Maybe you will trim it off one day without scratching the roof but no one will see it.
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Old 25-08-2019, 05:00 PM
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Tracks arrived yesterday from Bunnings.
Due to some confusion with part numbers and descriptions, I am still waiting for wheel hangers, hopefully not for much longer.
They are 3m long, so I will cut one in half and extend the other two, this will be 4.5m, enough for 2.2m lid to slide-open fully.
This system is meant for hanging door, but I will use it side-ways...

Now I am waiting for warmer weather for concrete work (pier)
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Old 26-08-2019, 07:34 AM
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That's great.
But it's better for concrete to pour it in cooler weather
Alex
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Old 26-08-2019, 08:24 AM
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That's great.
But it's better for concrete to pour it in cooler weather
Alex
It is also harder to find concreter to do this small job
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Old 02-09-2019, 07:29 PM
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Very inventive use of standard product. I do like a good detail drawing.

What are the stats for the concrete pier? 3m high plus the height above floor around 200 diameter I suppose and with reinforcing and big concrete base at the bottom ?
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Old 03-09-2019, 06:58 AM
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Ray,
I have two options (most likely is the first one):

- Bunnings concrete blocks 400x200x200mm, 2m above existing concrete slab and ~1m deep (see drawing).
- 3m, ø350mm Sonotube or equivalent, filled with concrete.


I intend to use existing steel pier (it is now in our Melbourne backyard).


I plan to finish this by end of month, depending on concreter's availability.
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Old 03-09-2019, 09:43 PM
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Good luck on your build Bojan. I am keen to read of your progress. A good use of an existing building. I cant wait for the next progress report.

cheers
John
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Old 03-09-2019, 10:22 PM
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Another good drawing of the arrangement. Will you concrete fill and reinforce the blockwork pier with some deformed bars? I suppose the heavier the reinforcing the better. My office used to be in a three level brick building and it would shimmy in every little tremor.
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Old 04-09-2019, 06:40 AM
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It will be something like this:
https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/430284-pier-diameter/?p=5555324

Many more ideas are here.
In highschool times, I spent many, many evenings in the dome of the Zagreb's Observatory... it's telescope is mounted on brick arch ~0.75m square, 4~5m high on the upper floor of the building..
Yes, the whole building (11th century tower) was shaking when occasional truck passed through the street below, but due to isolated wooden floor of the dome, our own movements inside did not affect the scope (for visual).
And, it will be only me in the studio (or the setup will be operated remotely from living room) so... I do not expect problems.
I only hope the pier will eventually stabilise quickly and not move significantly over lnger period of time..
One funny thing is also the same (or similar).. to my young days.. the smell of the pigeon poo was overwhelming during summer evenings when climbing on the wooden stairway (the space between stone walls and woodwork was infested by them).. and here in Mt Pleasant my neighbour keeps pigeons.. so I am also sor of travelling back in time with this project :-).
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Old 04-09-2019, 07:34 AM
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It sounds like you're making great progress Bojan. Enjoy yourself

Best
JA
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