Stewart
Vendor
Reged: 09/02/06
Posts: 80
Loc: Colchester, Essex, U.K.
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Hi Richard,
Alan Otterson created a group for "Flip Top" and "Clamshell" observatory owners:
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/Flip_Top_and_Clamshell_Observatories/
I never realised there were so many of them out there!
Out of all the "Flip Tops" i have seen so far, i have not seen one opened using that method before and it is truly a fantastic design.
I like the supports idea on the far side so the roof can rest and the fact that you use no counterweights either.
Great job!!!
Regards
Stewart
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1965healey
The Snarkster
Reged: 06/23/07
Posts: 4717
Loc: San Antonio, TX
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Just found your thread. Had an adea to help with roof if flexure still an issue. Add another brace to the front corner near the door extending from top of wall to deck just like the one in the rear. Add another lever arm to the front gable to match the one in the rear. Run a piece of pipe between the two lever arms and by standing in the middle of the pipe you can exert equal forces to the roof as you pull the pipe down until the roof rests on the cleats. Weight will be more evenly distributed. If you used round steel stock rather than pipe the additional weight of the pipe would decrease the amount of force you would have to use to pivot the roof. Sort of like a longitudinal counterweight. I like your OBS enough to consider using it as a basis for my own. Great Job.  
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1965Healey (Karen)
Woodlawn Lake Observatory
Celestron CPC 800/FT MIcro/APT Wedge
SV NHNG 80mm #0261/CG5-GT
Celestron Omni 150 XLT
Losmandy rails/rings
Starizona CWeight system
Sony a100 DSLR/Mod Canon 40D
Meade DS60's w/Autostar (2)
750cc Honda Shadow Spirit (Thanks Dad!)
1965 Austin Healey 3000 MKIII
1975 ODay Daysailer II
1965 Glastron Thunderjet
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Richard Scott
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 07/25/06
Posts: 935
Loc: Tampa FL
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Thanks Karen, I have in my (some point in the future) plans to install another pivot point in the front to match the one in the back. There is a small amount of sagging against the front hinge when the roof is fully open. Another pivot in that corner allowing the weight of the front of the roof to rest on that pivot and to be directed all the way to the floor would fix that.
But what I didn’t think of was the idea of a piece of pipe, (2” with welded flanges?) tied tightly between the two pivot points to transfer half the torque of opening the roof from the lever attached to the back gable to the front gable.
That is a great idea! And that would solve the twisting the roof experiences now. I open the roof 3 or 4 times a week, and it has held up surprisingly well, but what you purpose will make it better still. Thanks!
Because the roof opens 180º I would need to fit the torque tube pipe in place of the 3 strap hinges I have in place now. And I would still need the keep the long lever just beyond the back wall, But I can see it working.
Richard
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C-11 SCT
Orion ED80
NEQ-6 Pro GEM w/Losmandy Saddle
JMI NGF-CM, Orion AccuFocus Focusers
SBIG ST-3800M with FW8-8300
Meade DSI Pro
Orion SSDSI
all tucked inside the Blue Moon Observatory
Basically more stuff than my abilities warrant
"I know I can never look upon the stars without wondering why the whole world does not become astronomers."
Thomas Wright
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Moggi1964
Vendor - Astro Laugh
Reged: 11/07/05
Posts: 3636
Loc: Madison. NJ. USA
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Richard,
time to resurrect an old thread and ask your advice.
Would the roof and supporting structure on the Big Max be suitable as a roll-off?
I am off to trawl the forums to see if anyone has done a roll-off Max and I will value your opinion on the idea.
Thanks.
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Morris
www.astrolaugh.com
Astrosystems Telekit 10" with F/6 JC Wilkinson mirror
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sax2ter
newbie
Reged: 02/14/09
Posts: 2
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Regarding the built in bubble level on the CG-5 moount: mine is a mile off, too. I suspect that it's not the fault of the level, but rather the way it's mounted. It's just not squarely mounted in hole it sits in. Like you, it didn't take me long to figure that out. I also use a cheap torpedo level and that works great! Joseph
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Richard Scott
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 07/25/06
Posts: 935
Loc: Tampa FL
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Nothing much has changed with the Blue moon, the structure seems to be holding up well in the Florida heat and humidly.
I did change out my mount though.
I am now the proud owner of an NEQ 6 Pro. It is a fine upgrade from my trusty CG-5.
My poor overmounted CG-5 has served me well for years, and now will be my portable mount to take to the dark site.
Clear Skies to all
Richard
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C-11 SCT
Orion ED80
NEQ-6 Pro GEM w/Losmandy Saddle
JMI NGF-CM, Orion AccuFocus Focusers
SBIG ST-3800M with FW8-8300
Meade DSI Pro
Orion SSDSI
all tucked inside the Blue Moon Observatory
Basically more stuff than my abilities warrant
"I know I can never look upon the stars without wondering why the whole world does not become astronomers."
Thomas Wright
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Richard Scott
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 07/25/06
Posts: 935
Loc: Tampa FL
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A close up of the NEQ 6 Pro
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C-11 SCT
Orion ED80
NEQ-6 Pro GEM w/Losmandy Saddle
JMI NGF-CM, Orion AccuFocus Focusers
SBIG ST-3800M with FW8-8300
Meade DSI Pro
Orion SSDSI
all tucked inside the Blue Moon Observatory
Basically more stuff than my abilities warrant
"I know I can never look upon the stars without wondering why the whole world does not become astronomers."
Thomas Wright
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csa/montana
Den Mama
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 76331
Loc: montana
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Richard, very nice mount in your Observatory, indeed!
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Carol
AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
Vixen 80MF
Masayumas 7.5,15,25W,35
Pentax XW5,10; XL7
TV22Pan
ES30
Paradigm 8,12,18
DreamCatcher Dobservatory
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RobVG
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 01/09/06
Posts: 836
Loc: Seattle Washington
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Nice looking mount.
I like the corner shelves! Need to do something like that myself.
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C11 SGT(XLT)CG-5
Hinged Roof Observatory (archived)
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RobertED
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/11/03
Posts: 2766
Loc: Johnston, RI
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The NEQ 6 is a fine addition to your already Awesome setup Richard!!! Good Luck and Clear Skies!!!   
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41 deg 51'08.20" N , 71 deg 32'08.32" W
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