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Canada_LX10
member

Reged: 09/18/12

Loc: Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, ...

My Dome Observatory - Construction Log
#5706209 - 02/28/13 09:21 PM Attachment (55 downloads)

EDITED: I put up single pics on each post. Not sure why they don't allow multiple photos in one posting.

This picture is using my radius drawing jig to make the template in the 1/8" Masonite board.

Edited by Canada_LX10 (03/02/13 04:24 PM)

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astrodog73
member

Reged: 02/22/13

Loc: Australia

Re: My Dome Observatory - Construction Log new

[Re: Canada_LX10]
#5706372 - 02/28/13 11:07 PM

You can upload pics, most threads in this forum especially, are brimming with pics....
People will need to actually sign up to that other forum to see the pics anyway....

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Midnight Dan
Postmaster

Reged: 01/23/08

Loc: Hilton, NY, Yellow Zone (Bortl...

Re: My Dome Observatory - Construction Log new

[Re: astrodog73]
#5706697 - 03/01/13 07:13 AM

There are two ways to include pics. One is to simply add the picture to the post using the button that's available when posting. However, that limits you to one picture per post.

To include multiple pictures per post, you can use any of the standard image hosting services like Photobucket, Shutterfly, etc. and include properly formatted links to those images.

-Dan

Post Extras:

Bob Griffiths
Getting Grouchy

Reged: 10/10/05

Loc: Frederick Maryland

Re: My Dome Observatory - Construction Log new

[Re: Midnight Dan]
#5706743 - 03/01/13 08:27 AM

Canada.... I red both of your posts on the other forum.. and replied to both lol

But it is honestly not much work to post the pictures on this forum and BELIEVE me this Forum is 100 times as active and much more knowledgeable then
the other forum...

Again good luck with your build..

Bob G.

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csa/montana
Den Mama

Reged: 05/14/05

Loc: montana

Re: My Dome Observatory - Construction Log new

[Re: Canada_LX10]
#5706908 - 03/01/13 10:07 AM

Hello; we have a Member's Gallery right here on CN, scroll to the bottom of the forums to find it. Simply open your account there, and upload your pictures there. Also, you no doubt have your photos on your computer, so when posting; after hitting "Continue", you will see a "Browse" window on the second page. Click on browse to your photos on your computer & simply upload them (staying within the image size).

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dobsoscope
sage

Reged: 05/24/06

Re: My Dome Observatory - Construction Log new

[Re: csa/montana]
#5706956 - 03/01/13 10:39 AM

i wont be signing up to yet *another* forum to view the post sorry mate!.. try using tinypic.com - no need to sign up to post the images.

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Canada_LX10
member

Reged: 09/18/12

Loc: Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, ...

Re: My Dome Observatory - Construction Log new

[Re: dobsoscope]
#5707655 - 03/01/13 07:16 PM Attachment (36 downloads)

All the pieces drawn out on the 1/2" plywood.

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mikey cee
Postmaster

Reged: 01/18/07

Loc: bellevue ne.

Re: My Dome Observatory - Construction Log new

[Re: Canada_LX10]
#5707672 - 03/01/13 07:29 PM

Suits me adios amigo!

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tim53
Postmaster

Reged: 12/17/04

Loc: Highland Park, CA

Re: My Dome Observatory - Construction Log new

[Re: mikey cee]
#5708801 - 03/02/13 01:03 PM

If you already have photos somewhere online, the easiest way to post multiples within a post is to use the "image" link in the preview reply window and add them there.

But it's not hard to post one at a time from your hard drive, either.

-Tim.

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Canada_LX10
member

Reged: 09/18/12

Loc: Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, ...

Re: My Dome Observatory - Construction Log new

[Re: Canada_LX10]
#5708921 - 03/02/13 02:28 PM Attachment (30 downloads)

Cutting out the rough ribs. Used the jig saw to rough cut, then a router will trim them up to the final shape.

Edited by Canada_LX10 (03/02/13 02:43 PM)

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Canada_LX10
member

Reged: 09/18/12

Loc: Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, ...

Re: My Dome Observatory - Construction Log new

[Re: Canada_LX10]
#5708922 - 03/02/13 02:29 PM Attachment (26 downloads)

The rough cut base ring pieces.

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Canada_LX10
member

Reged: 09/18/12

Loc: Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, ...

Re: My Dome Observatory - Construction Log new

[Re: Canada_LX10]
#5708925 - 03/02/13 02:33 PM Attachment (28 downloads)

My $1.49 router table. Used a wooden box cover that was covering an old Briggs & Stratton engine outside. Turn on its side it became my router table. $1.49 was for longer base screws.

Edited by Canada_LX10 (03/02/13 04:23 PM)

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Canada_LX10
member

Reged: 09/18/12

Loc: Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, ...

Re: My Dome Observatory - Construction Log new

[Re: Canada_LX10]
#5708928 - 03/02/13 02:36 PM Attachment (26 downloads)

My router template screwed to the rough stock. Ready for a trim.

Post Extras:

Canada_LX10
member

Reged: 09/18/12

Loc: Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, ...

Re: My Dome Observatory - Construction Log new

[Re: Canada_LX10]
#5708931 - 03/02/13 02:38 PM Attachment (26 downloads)

The template removed after the trim job.

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Canada_LX10
member

Reged: 09/18/12

Loc: Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, ...

Re: My Dome Observatory - Construction Log new

[Re: Canada_LX10]
#5709080 - 03/02/13 04:17 PM Attachment (22 downloads)

Ribs for the base ring are finished being trimmed. Next, I have make spacers and layout the base ring and trim the pie pieces to make a circle.

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Canada_LX10
member

Reged: 09/18/12

Loc: Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, ...

Re: My Dome Observatory - Construction Log new

[Re: Canada_LX10]
#5709526 - 03/02/13 08:37 PM Attachment (33 downloads)

The test fitment of the base ring. I need to now cut the joints and then laminate the layers.

Post Extras:

averen
Vendor Main Sequence Software

Reged: 01/20/09

Loc: Austin TX

Re: My Dome Observatory - Construction Log new

[Re: Canada_LX10]
#5709776 - 03/03/13 12:03 AM

Very nice! Any information about the dome you're building? Diameter? Type (framed/frameless)? Etc...?

Jared

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Canada_LX10
member

Reged: 09/18/12

Loc: Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, ...

Re: My Dome Observatory - Construction Log new

[Re: Canada_LX10]
#5710496 - 03/03/13 11:49 AM

It is a 7.5' diameter wood dome made with curved plywood ribs. Will be making an 8x8 base for it.

Here is the website of the original builder:

http://www.baetsenobservatory.com/Astronomy/Projects/ObsDome.html

The plans in PDF format are in that website.

Post Extras:

Bob Griffiths
Getting Grouchy

Reged: 10/10/05

Loc: Frederick Maryland

Re: My Dome Observatory - Construction Log new

[Re: Canada_LX10]
#5710526 - 03/03/13 12:09 PM

The base ring LOOK darn good...

Bob G.

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Canada_LX10
member

Reged: 09/18/12

Loc: Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, ...

Re: My Dome Observatory - Construction Log new

[Re: Bob Griffiths]
#5710638 - 03/03/13 01:12 PM

Just fitting the base ring pieces to be the 91" diameter. Mine is a little larger but I need to trim the ends anyway. Just figuring the amount to trim.

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csa/montana
Den Mama

Reged: 05/14/05

Loc: montana

Re: My Dome Observatory - Construction Log new

[Re: Canada_LX10]
#5711102 - 03/03/13 05:51 PM

A lot of cutting; but you certainly managed to get it done, and the ring looks great!

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Canada_LX10
member

Reged: 09/18/12

Loc: Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, ...

Re: My Dome Observatory - Construction Log new

[Re: Canada_LX10]
#5719009 - 03/07/13 06:28 PM

Hi everyone. I have not been working on the observatory build as of late but I am starting again.

We had a huge dump of snow and I spent hours on the tractor snow blowing it. The wife got stuck on the rural roads the next day so she ended up staying home that day after I towed her out with the truck. The snow was drifted up so high and thick. They took 3 days to plow our roads because of the amount and slow progress. So that was a bit of distraction to building.

No photos today but I did sand the inside of the base ring so that the roller wheels will roll nice. Tonight I am going to cut and glue the second base ring. After that I should have more photos to share.

Keep checking back as this project is not stalled.

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nytecam
Postmaster

Reged: 08/20/05

Loc: London UK

Re: My Dome Observatory - Construction Log new

[Re: Canada_LX10]
#5719871 - 03/08/13 05:40 AM

Quote:

Cutting out the rough ribs. Used the jig saw to rough cut, then a router will trim them up to the final shape.

Interesting - your base ring and ribs from the same cut. Just for others considering such a project I find structurally the ribs [in vertical position] can be about half your size relative to the base ring, and whilst neat, it isn't essential to make the second cut to the inside edge within the dome. This saves by halving the total number of cuts. Hope you didn't mind the suggestion here

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averen
Vendor Main Sequence Software

Reged: 01/20/09

Loc: Austin TX

Re: My Dome Observatory - Construction Log new

[Re: nytecam]
#5720387 - 03/08/13 12:03 PM

Quote:

I find structurally the ribs [in vertical position] can be about half your size relative to the base ring, and whilst neat, it isn't essential to make the second cut to the inside edge within the dome. This saves by halving the total number of cuts. Hope you didn't mind the suggestion here

I agree with the above. Doing the extra cut does make them look nicer, but it's faster to just trim the top to size. That's what I ended up doing on my dome. Here you can see the rib on the left with the 2 cuts, and the ribs on the right each with a single cut. The inside cut of one rib forms the outside cut of the next.

Jared

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Mary B
Vendor - Echo Astronomy and Electronics

Reged: 05/21/10

Loc: Minnesota

Re: My Dome Observatory - Construction Log new

[Re: averen]
#5720838 - 03/08/13 04:56 PM

I need a laser cutter with a 12 foot bed.... could cut ribs that way

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Canada_LX10
member

Reged: 09/18/12

Loc: Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, ...

Re: My Dome Observatory - Construction Log new

[Re: Mary B]
#5721009 - 03/08/13 06:42 PM

If you wanted to pay the setup fee...most water jet places would probably cut it. They don't care what material they cut... wood or metal...doesn't matter.

Post Extras:

roscoe
curmudgeon

Reged: 02/04/09

Loc: NW Mass, inches from VT

Re: My Dome Observatory - Construction Log new

[Re: Canada_LX10]
#5721755 - 03/09/13 08:17 AM

A trick worth trying is to cut the rings with a radius arm on either a jigsaw or a router with a panel cutting bit in it - the set-up would be the same as the 'compass' you used to draw the pattern piece. If you want the edges smoother, you can sandwich the completed cuts of ply and belt-sand them.
And, as suggested above, most urban areas offer both water-jet and laser cutting services, you can usually have the stock delivered directly to the shop, so no need to haul a dozen sheets of ply on the roof of the car.......
Russ

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Canada_LX10
member

Reged: 09/18/12

Loc: Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, ...

Re: My Dome Observatory - Construction Log new

[Re: Canada_LX10]
#5726196 - 03/11/13 03:58 PM Attachment (12 downloads)

Base ring completed. It does come apart into 2 halves so I can get it out of the basement.

Post Extras:

Bob Griffiths
Getting Grouchy

Reged: 10/10/05

Loc: Frederick Maryland

Re: My Dome Observatory - Construction Log new

[Re: Canada_LX10]
#5726615 - 03/11/13 07:01 PM

I still would spend another 10 bucks or less and put an additional spacer between the ones you already have... Overkill .. well maybe...maybe not ... especially over time

Bob G.

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Canada_LX10
member

Reged: 09/18/12

Loc: Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, ...

Re: My Dome Observatory - Construction Log new

[Re: Canada_LX10]
#5739122 - 03/17/13 05:01 PM Attachment (10 downloads)

Today's work...

The base ring with the extra spacer blocks (doubled the number). I just have to fasten them on this side as the battery in the cordless pooped out.

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Canada_LX10
member

Reged: 09/18/12

Loc: Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, ...

Re: My Dome Observatory - Construction Log new

[Re: Canada_LX10]
#5739127 - 03/17/13 05:03 PM Attachment (12 downloads)

More...

The main inner slit arcs are rough cut and ready for the router table. Once these are done there are two inner and much thinner slit arcs to make. Then the focus will turn the the arcs for the sides.

So far the plywood sheet tally is at two sheets. The left over piece is that curved piece (upper right) in the second photo which should make a couple of the thinner arcs. I am pleased with the wood use and scraps. The waste is very little. Spacers were made from little scrap bits I had floating around but if you had to buy a 2x4...one piece would do them all. I am keeping a cost tally and spreadsheet of materials bought/used. I will post a final tally of cost and materials when completed.

Now the construction is going to take a more vertical approach. Should start looking like dome soon!

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