THEPLOUGH
Nailed Again
Reged: 01/11/08
Posts: 3594
Loc: Carlisle, Cumbria, ENGLAND
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Nothing wrong with wood, and what you have done so far is built to last.  
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Geoff...
Nexstar 8SE -- 9X50 RACI Finder scope... 6.3 F/R.-- 13 & 17mm Hyperion EPs.. 25mm Celestron E- Lux EP.. 2X Celestron X-Cel Barlow-- + A few bits and pieces..
Don't think expensive equipment will make up for lack of talent or practice..
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csa/montana
Astro Ambassador
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 26766
Loc: montana
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Quote:
This post like so many others is exactly why I won't use that treated garbage on anything I own! My rails are all steel with steel angle iron fit at 45° brackets underneath. No sag no twist no splitting!  Mike
Each to his own, Mike; BYO used treated wood on mine, & I'm extremely happy with it; I figure if Scott feels it's good enough for his name to be on it, it's good enough for me. 
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Carol
AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
AstroTech 66ED / Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Tak LE 5mm
7mm Pentax XL, 10mm Pentax XW
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
22mm Pan, 35mm Pan
DreamCatcher Dobservatory, #2
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Bowmoreman
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/11/06
Posts: 2957
Loc: Bolton, MA
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Michael: Good Job! Looks like you are "back on track".
Hope y'all were ok in those storms... the front FINALLY came through here late last night.
Yesterday we hit 103F (in Massachusetts - can you believe it!?)... Were having so many brownouts that I just shut down all the computers and AC's and we went to the state forest (lake/beach).
After 103, the T-storms were as fierce as I've ever seen here in Mass (not as bad as the ones we got in Colorado though!).
Anyways, looks like all you need now is the diagonal bracing.
Well done!
clear enough skies
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Dave
Ustream
YLive
XT10i, RTP, CGE, R200CF, TMB80SS
31T5, 22T4, 13Ethos, 8Ethos, TV 3-6 Zoom; Paracorr
MallincamColorHyperPlus,SBIG STV&237A;CanonRebel Xti
WilderSkiesObservatory(BYO #90)
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WidowMaker
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/29/07
Posts: 665
Loc: Frankfort, Ky
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Good Mornin, Yall.
Thanks very much for the encouragement, Yall.
I felt the same way, Carol. Surely, if its good enough for 1000+ observatories built by BYO, it can work for little ole me. Of course, I dont think Scott uses 6ft pieces that look like broken skateboarder arms from 'Worlds Wildest Videos' either.  
So, hopefully once the wife gets home today and we finish our third day of 1st grade we can put our 'Y' braces up, screw down our angle iron, and start on our roof!
Wow, Dave! 103°?! That sounds painful. It hit 94° the other day and I thought that was awful.
I just got the pool blueish looking again when Josh had his ear surgery. Now he cant swim or even take a normal bath for fear of water getting in there.
Poor thing is worried that everyone is going to swim but him, so I told him NO ONE uses the pool til he can.
So now we have a crystal clear pool sitting there neglected, just waiting on someone to enjoy it.
We go back to see his doctor in Cinn. tommorrow so maybe hell say he can bathe and swim soon.
*shh...the wife & I might sneek in there while theyre asleep soon. 
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Sleep is the Cousin of Death
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THEPLOUGH
Nailed Again
Reged: 01/11/08
Posts: 3594
Loc: Carlisle, Cumbria, ENGLAND
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Hope all goes well with Josh, and you are soon enjoying the pool together.... In the mean time I promise not to tell that you are sneaking in while they are asleep.... 
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Geoff...
Nexstar 8SE -- 9X50 RACI Finder scope... 6.3 F/R.-- 13 & 17mm Hyperion EPs.. 25mm Celestron E- Lux EP.. 2X Celestron X-Cel Barlow-- + A few bits and pieces..
Don't think expensive equipment will make up for lack of talent or practice..
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WidowMaker
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/29/07
Posts: 665
Loc: Frankfort, Ky
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Thank you very much, Geoff. Its just an after-surgery follow up. Its the drive that kills. 
We got our braces up and I think were ready to secure the angle iron and start on the roof!
Of course, my cuts arent exactly perfect, but its the best I could do. We didnt have enough boards to play with angles so we had to take what we had.
What do ya think?
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Sleep is the Cousin of Death
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WidowMaker
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/29/07
Posts: 665
Loc: Frankfort, Ky
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One without the sun (and dog lurking).
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Sleep is the Cousin of Death
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o1d_dude
o1der than dirt
Reged: 10/03/07
Posts: 1266
Loc: The Big Tomato, California
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Looks like all you need to do now is put a crossbrace between the two new vertical members to tie them together.
Being as devoted as I am to the concept of overbuilding, I'd put up two crossbraces between both sets of verticals (one on each side).
LOL!
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Kit
"There's only two things that excite a man, expensive toys and real expensive toys." - Red Green
* A bunch of old ATM stuff that cost me next to nothing
* A bunch of new commercial stuff that cost me an arm and a leg
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John Fitzgerald
In Focus
Reged: 01/04/04
Posts: 1083
Loc: AR
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You also need a pair of braces from the 6x6 posts to the crossmember that spans side to side between your 6x6 posts. These will prevent side sway.
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?
Observing since 1966
Messier Cert #898
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THEPLOUGH
Nailed Again
Reged: 01/11/08
Posts: 3594
Loc: Carlisle, Cumbria, ENGLAND
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Quote:
Looks like all you need to do now is put a crossbrace between the two new vertical members to tie them together.
Being as devoted as I am to the concept of overbuilding, I'd put up two crossbraces between both sets of verticals (one on each side).
LOL!
It would not hurt any thing, and they would make the whole structure a lot more stable......
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Geoff...
Nexstar 8SE -- 9X50 RACI Finder scope... 6.3 F/R.-- 13 & 17mm Hyperion EPs.. 25mm Celestron E- Lux EP.. 2X Celestron X-Cel Barlow-- + A few bits and pieces..
Don't think expensive equipment will make up for lack of talent or practice..
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Bowmoreman
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/11/06
Posts: 2957
Loc: Bolton, MA
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Braces, schmaces!  That is so, boring!
I think it is just crying out for "his and hers" hammocks!!!
You both are going to need/want them when THIS project is completed!
Amazing progress again, Michael!
that bad-boy is going NOWHERE!
clear enough skies
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Dave
Ustream
YLive
XT10i, RTP, CGE, R200CF, TMB80SS
31T5, 22T4, 13Ethos, 8Ethos, TV 3-6 Zoom; Paracorr
MallincamColorHyperPlus,SBIG STV&237A;CanonRebel Xti
WilderSkiesObservatory(BYO #90)
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mikey cee
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/18/07
Posts: 2181
Loc: bellevue ne.
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Mike...after this much work plus what's to come I hope you install something more than an alt-az 60mm refractor!! Mike
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Mike 10x50 sears tower binocs, 3" f/10 edmunds reflector, 2.4" f/11.7 manon refractor, 6" f/8 jaegers refractor, "The 8 Ball" 8" f/13.3 brandt refractor, 3" f/15.8 sans&streiffe refractor, 3.1" f/15 selsi refractor(towa 339), 2.4" f/15 sears refractor, selsi 30x30mm spyglass, criterion 5-draw 25x45x75x spyglass(1957).
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mikey cee
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/18/07
Posts: 2181
Loc: bellevue ne.
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Carol...Don't get me wrong here. I'm not trashing anyone's use of this stuff. BYO strives to use select stuff and they are concerned with long term durability. It's good for battling the elements against termites and weather decay. But for cosmetics(sorry but as a professional I can't seperate looks and function)this stuff is for the berries! I've made miter joints on decks etc. so tight you couldn't see daylight thru them. Couple of months later I'm embarrassed to give a customer's job as a reference to someone else. Caulking and paint don't stick for long and some stains after a year or so you wouldn't even know they were there. People just need to now in advance of the limitations of this stuff. Structural and durability I give it a 10 but for cosmetics....zippity do-da!! Mike
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Mike 10x50 sears tower binocs, 3" f/10 edmunds reflector, 2.4" f/11.7 manon refractor, 6" f/8 jaegers refractor, "The 8 Ball" 8" f/13.3 brandt refractor, 3" f/15.8 sans&streiffe refractor, 3.1" f/15 selsi refractor(towa 339), 2.4" f/15 sears refractor, selsi 30x30mm spyglass, criterion 5-draw 25x45x75x spyglass(1957).
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John Fitzgerald
In Focus
Reged: 01/04/04
Posts: 1083
Loc: AR
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Mike,
I see where you are coming from on the treated wood. I have seen it twist badly so as to be unusable. A friend of mine builds a lot of stuff with it. He buys it six months in advance, trying to anticipate his needs, and stacks it under a shed in cross-hatch fashion. After a few months it becomes pretty stable, and he uses it. He says this is especially important with treated plywood. I have a couple extra treated 2x6's curing myself in case I need to replace the top boards on my external rack. I did go with steel on mine except for the top board that the inverted V is fastened to, mostly due to the large size and the weight of the roof. If not for the steel and strong rollers I obtained, I would not have started this project. Green treated wood needs to be VERY VERY well braced, and it may still warp some.
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?
Observing since 1966
Messier Cert #898
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Rusty
Postmaster
Reged: 08/06/03
Posts: 16087
Loc: Brooker, FL
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I agree - I had to install about 150' of 2x8 PT headers for a CB stem wall - I stored 'em covered (with plenty of air space) for 6 months, and there was no warping. As for painting, I have some 4x4s installed as supports for a second-story bay window and a balcony. I pressure washed, painted with primer, then two coats of latex. No issues after ten years in the Florida sun...
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N11GPS Fastar
TOA-130S
MK66 Std
Vintage C5
Megrez II 80mm ED Triplet APO
SolarMax 40
NJP Temma II
Sirius EQ-G
ST8XE/CFW-8 (LRGBHa)/AO-7/DF-2/STV/ST237a/350D (Unmodded)/Mallincam Color Hyper Plus/DSI III Color
Two not-spoiled Golden Retrievers - Maggie and Casey
Sometimes I think we're alone in the universe, and sometimes I think we're not. In either case the idea is quite staggering. - Arthur C. Clarke
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WidowMaker
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/29/07
Posts: 665
Loc: Frankfort, Ky
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Hey yall.
Sorry Ive been away, we had a long day at Cinn. yesterday and when I got back I was so tired I crashed on the couch and became worthless.
Today my thousand dollar alarm on my car had to be taken back and fixed (again) but once the wife got home we started on trying to line up our angle iron better.
I think were getting it.
We also just finished the West side v-groove roller assembly thingie. We had to rush everything back in 'cos it started pouring right out of the clear blue sky on us.
We took some 2x4x10's and some 2x4x8's and cut them to the length of our West and East walls (17'10"-dont ask me how that happened), then we staggered them so no two seams were the same and nailed and bolted them together, then put 5 of our v-groove castors on there lined up.
I would have taken a pic but its still pouring.
Hopefully tommorrow we can do the East side then use the 2x6x12's we have for our South and North wall to make a roof frame.
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Sleep is the Cousin of Death
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Bowmoreman
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/11/06
Posts: 2957
Loc: Bolton, MA
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Michael, Dude...
I am so impressed by how much you and your wife are getting accomplished, what with all on your plate as parents!
I pray that when this is DONE, you, your wife and your boys will truly enjoy the pleasures that a backyard observatory offer - they will pickup the passion and excitement from you, and you will "feed" on their interest and wonder...
It IS truly magical, and I continue to pray for your family's health, happiness and success in this endeavoer.
Keep up the good work, the good fight, and the job that is, "being a Dad"...
Your boys have a great Father, and your wife, a Husband... and you - family!
Remember this: once you ARE done... share it with others, like acquaintances (classmates?) of your boys, etc... Outreach is the coolest and most rewarding activity I can envision.
And, in the meantime, keep plugging away at it!
I read/follow your story and keep thinking: "this would have been MY story, had I not gone the 'easy' route and hired Scott/BYO"...
Of course, the reality is that my wife wouldn't (couldn't!) have assisted...
This is a GREAT and memorable thread!
clear enough skies
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Dave
Ustream
YLive
XT10i, RTP, CGE, R200CF, TMB80SS
31T5, 22T4, 13Ethos, 8Ethos, TV 3-6 Zoom; Paracorr
MallincamColorHyperPlus,SBIG STV&237A;CanonRebel Xti
WilderSkiesObservatory(BYO #90)
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John Fitzgerald
In Focus
Reged: 01/04/04
Posts: 1083
Loc: AR
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We used a string tied to a screw that was centered on one end of the inverted "V" angle. Stretched the string very tight down the top of the V and aligned to that. Then with the other side, we took measurements between the angles with a tightly stretched tape about every foot, and made them parallel. It's very important that the center to center wheel spacings match the point to point spacing of the inverted angles. You would do best to hold off on putting the wheels on the other side until you test fit the "roller box" north and south sides. I assembled the entire roller box upside down in my driveway and got the wheel spacing correct while having it all temporarily fastened together, including the corner braces. Then I numbered the pieces in the correct orientation, took it all apart, and hauled it to the site when ready for final assembly. We laid the laminated beam sides up on the walls at an angle, put the rollers on, stood them up, installed temporary outside bracing, then put the north and south pieces and corner braces on. Make sure the grease fittings on the wheels are facing toward the inside of the building.
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?
Observing since 1966
Messier Cert #898
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WidowMaker
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/29/07
Posts: 665
Loc: Frankfort, Ky
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Thank you very much, Dave. Thats very kind of you!
Thanks to all of you, this is actually becoming possible!
Ok, we got the v-groove wheel 'box' up and the North and South 2x6 attached to it so its a box now.
We checked it with the right-angle and the level and it seems to be just right!
It rolls too! Can you believe it?! 
We need to get the rest of the angle iron down towards the end but my bit broke.
Were working on the pyramid part of the roof (the gable?) and decided to call it a night and feed the kids and start fresh tommorrow.
I also primed my pier this morning and just put my first coat of flat black on it.
Heres some shots!
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Sleep is the Cousin of Death
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WidowMaker
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/29/07
Posts: 665
Loc: Frankfort, Ky
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And one a little closer.
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Sleep is the Cousin of Death
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