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Construction Begins

Started by MHamburg , Apr 23 2013 04:04 PM

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171 replies to this topic

#1 MHamburg

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Posted 23 April 2013 - 04:04 PM

So the snow has finally melted and the ground has thawed! I have begun my modest but long-desired warm room extension. Here is a shot of the dimensions and when laid out, I realized it will be the size of a bathroom (but will not function as such.)
Michael

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#2 roscoe

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Posted 24 April 2013 - 08:14 AM

Looks like a good start! Now, just photoshop a couple of pieces of concrete into that photo, and you're good to go!
(if only it were that easy......)
R

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#3 dmdouglass

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Posted 24 April 2013 - 02:22 PM

Well... based on the photo showing the obs off the ground... i doubt he will be pouring concrete...

And what a photo !! How about a wider view, from back a ways... It appears as if that is a beautiful location !!

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#4 MHamburg

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Posted 24 April 2013 - 08:31 PM

Thanks for the comments! I am running two beams from a ledger attached to one of the sides of my octagonal observatory that will be supported on the outlier end by two concrete piers. The plan is to connect the warm room to the obs with an internal (insulated with window)door. (BTW, I suffer from Arizona envy.) The attached photo was for selling this scope, (I did. I have a C11 Edge HD that I love) but you get an idea of the observatory.
Michael

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#5 MHamburg

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Posted 07 May 2013 - 05:40 PM

Small update: This is definitely going to take longer than I had hoped. These old muscles can no longer be tortured as I used to do. Anyway I forgot how hard it is to back fill a hole by hand. I am hoping that once I get out of the dirt, I will have an easier time.
Michael :crutch:

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#6 Aquarist

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Posted 09 May 2013 - 04:05 PM

My muscles ache responsively when thinking about this project.

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#7 MHamburg

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Posted 10 May 2013 - 10:17 AM

Thanks a lot, Steve.
Michael

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#8 MHamburg

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Posted 16 May 2013 - 04:34 PM

Small step 2: The two piers are in and I have survived!! As soon as they have fully cured, I will start the floor framing. It feels good to be out of the ground.
Michael

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#9 MHamburg

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Posted 10 June 2013 - 03:07 PM

Just a few new photos for the update.

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#10 MHamburg

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Posted 10 June 2013 - 03:09 PM

Joists in place. (BTW: all framing is pressure treated for the floor framing.)

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#11 MHamburg

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Posted 10 June 2013 - 03:11 PM

Pressure treated ply for the bottom layer of the insulation "sandwich" that will be the floor.

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#12 MHamburg

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Posted 10 June 2013 - 03:14 PM

2" of foamboard insulation which will be covered with 5/8" exterior ply for the floor (later to be carpeted.)I will post a couple of pics of the electrical extension tomorrow. Now I have to figure a way to stop the rain. Thanks for looking.
Michael

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#13 jazle

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Posted 10 June 2013 - 06:06 PM

Take a vacation. Skies always clear up at home when you're away. Looks good. That insulation is wonderful stuff. I used the 1" stuff on the inside of a Rubbermaid Shed and it made a remarkable impact on keeping it cool during the day and holding in the warmth at night. 2" will be even better!

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#14 MHamburg

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Posted 11 June 2013 - 08:52 AM

Thanks, Jason. I forgot what vacation means.

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#15 MHamburg

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Posted 11 June 2013 - 08:53 AM

Another angle:

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#16 roscoe

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Posted 11 June 2013 - 07:56 PM

Good idea to put ply under your foam, Michael. It'll help a lot to keep critters from making cushy pink nests.....
Russ

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#17 MHamburg

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Posted 12 June 2013 - 04:23 PM

And you know how many critters would love to do just that! The electrician got a deal on this service panel. I guess I could run a big cooler off this service. Michael :smirk:

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#18 MHamburg

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Posted 12 June 2013 - 04:27 PM

Look at the poor ground after all this rain (with more on its way!)
Michael :foreheadslap:

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#19 roscoe

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Posted 12 June 2013 - 07:42 PM

I'm guessing a 100-amp/20 circuit service will do, but only for a modest observatory.......Mt Palomar or something.......

Looks like a few days of dry weather coming over the weekend..... hopefully you'll be able to see the bottom of your trench again.
R

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#20 MHamburg

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Posted 13 June 2013 - 09:59 AM

I actually got the trench back-filled late yesterday in anticipation of today's rain.
Michael

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#21 MHamburg

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Posted 01 July 2013 - 08:07 PM

A brief update: I was able to put on the other layer of the floor before it rained (yet again!) I also finished the back filling of the electrical trench along with reseeding. I'm afraid I won't need to water this week.
Michael

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#22 HunterofPhotons

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Posted 02 July 2013 - 09:59 AM

Hi Michael,
For future reference on your next construction project, plywood is strongest when its outside grain is laid perpendicular to floor joists, rafters, etc.

dan k.

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#23 tim57064

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Posted 02 July 2013 - 10:51 AM

More than likely you already thought of this, yet since you have insulation sandwiched between 2 layers of plywood,I hope you covered the top layer with some plastic before it rained again. Moisture will be trapped between the layers and promote mold and rot.

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#24 MHamburg

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Posted 03 July 2013 - 08:00 AM

I have invested in more plastic tarps in this one season than in all the years prior. Dan, yeah but this gave me the most surface and fewest cuts for the bucks, and the width is only about 66".
Michael