· Get a Cloudy Nights T-Shirt · Submit a Review / Article Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums Privacy Policy | Please read our Terms of Service | Signup and Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu… uh, User You are not logged in. [Login] Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online FAQ · Calendar Equipment Discussions >> Observatories Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | (show all) ahopp sage Reged: 05/24/12 Re: Observatory from a Fiberglass Storage Tank [Re: berlinstar]       #5697415 - 02/23/13 09:44 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Go! Go! Go! Tony Post Extras:       Bob Myler scholastic sledgehammer Reged: 05/18/06 Loc: St Louis, MO Re: Observatory from a Fiberglass Storage Tank [Re: berlinstar]       #5700013 - 02/25/13 03:10 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Palomar II is taking shape nicely. Post Extras:       berlinstar super member Reged: 03/28/11 Loc: Berlin Center, OH Re: Observatory from a Fiberglass Storage Tank [Re: Bob Myler]       #5700603 - 02/25/13 09:25 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Solved the "gap" between the frame and upper shutter tonight. I moved the dolly wheel off the 2x stock and instead, drilled a hole in the bracket perpendicular to the original holes so that they would mount to the ply shutter sides rather than the 2x stock. This placement allowed me to put the dolly wheels up behind the 2x4 framing, against the 1/4 ply sheet. I gained exactly 1 1/2 inches on each shutter by moving the wheels, and, it also simplifies the shutters in that in their static position, i wont have to make ply ends to box in the shutters. I should be able to install felt seals to keep the weather out just fine. I"ll post pics tomorrow. Post Extras:       berlinstar super member Reged: 03/28/11 Loc: Berlin Center, OH Re: Observatory from a Fiberglass Storage Tank [Re: berlinstar]       #5703057 - 02/27/13 08:41 AM Attachment (56 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here's the photos that go with the previous post. I'm considering installing a bolt as an axle through the ply frame, and doing away with the steel castor cage all together. The current configuration relies on a wood screw, and over time I would think that it'll work its way loose. Post Extras:       berlinstar super member Reged: 03/28/11 Loc: Berlin Center, OH Re: Observatory from a Fiberglass Storage Tank [Re: berlinstar]       #5703063 - 02/27/13 08:44 AM Attachment (50 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Overall, the tighter fit looks a little better too. Post Extras:       berlinstar super member Reged: 03/28/11 Loc: Berlin Center, OH Re: Observatory from a Fiberglass Storage Tank [Re: berlinstar]       #5710358 - 03/03/13 10:52 AM Attachment (42 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I didn't get too much done on the OB this weekend. Caught a cold and can't really afford to drop the marathon training, so work on the OB suffers instead. Plus, a sub 30 degree garage doesn't help either. What I did manage yesterday was to cut the door down to fit the entry hole. As indicated a couple of days ago, the six panel door went to a four panel in a hurry. I don't know exactly how much I cut off the top, but overall the hole height wise is 67.5 inches. I sawed the top off right at the level of the top panels and wanted to make it look as symmetrical as possible, so I ended up taking a couple inches off the bottom as well. Of course, trimming both ends meant more work in fitting the frame, etc, but it was worth it. After making my cuts, I recovered the top and bottom end plates that were in the door, roughed out the polystyrene foam in the core of the door, then glued them back in with some polyurethane glue. As you can see from the picture, it came out just as good as a factory door. Hopefully I get over this cold this week and I'll be back in business. Post Extras:       csa/montana Den Mama Reged: 05/14/05 Loc: montana Re: Observatory from a Fiberglass Storage Tank [Re: berlinstar]       #5711108 - 03/03/13 05:54 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Nice job on making the door uniform, when cut down! Post Extras:       droid rocketman Reged: 08/29/04 Loc: Conneaut, Ohio Re: Observatory from a Fiberglass Storage Tank [Re: berlinstar]       #5711653 - 03/03/13 10:33 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   This just keeps getting better and better, cant wait to see the final product. Post Extras:       Starman27 Post Laureate Reged: 01/29/06 Loc: Illinois, Iowa Re: Observatory from a Fiberglass Storage Tank [Re: droid]       #5712115 - 03/04/13 08:59 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Keep up the good work. Post Extras:       berlinstar super member Reged: 03/28/11 Loc: Berlin Center, OH Re: Observatory from a Fiberglass Storage Tank [Re: Starman27]       #5722546 - 03/09/13 04:08 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Beautiful days bring beautiful things! Terrific weather here finally, so went and final fitted the door to the base. To mount it to the base, I built an outer frame out of 2x2 stock, then mounted the door to that, as in a traditional door hang in a stud wall. Came out really nice and is solid. Then came the really exciting part. I grabbed a couple of 2x8's out of the basement and set them on the top edge of the base. Then I dragged the dome out of the garage and proceeded to ramp it up atop the base - yes I used my little Kubota with a front-end loader to push it up there, ever so slowly so as to not topple it or knock the dome off the boards! Successfully got it safely in-place! The dome turns very freely! One thing that I did not consider, is that by mounting the wheels tight against the base like I did, and with a tapered skate wheel, that there is NO need for wheels to keep the dome centered on the base. The wheels are just as tight against the dome edge, so the taper of the wheel is doing this job. I'll put up pics of the mock-up on Monday! Lots of finish work to do, and, I still have to finish the shutters, and glass them. So far, so good! Post Extras:       droid rocketman Reged: 08/29/04 Loc: Conneaut, Ohio Re: Observatory from a Fiberglass Storage Tank [Re: berlinstar]       #5722559 - 03/09/13 04:15 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   How doyou keep a really astronmer in suspence, youll show us monday Sorry Couldnt resist. I await your photos Do you have a peir in the ground yet??? Post Extras:       berlinstar super member Reged: 03/28/11 Loc: Berlin Center, OH Re: Observatory from a Fiberglass Storage Tank [Re: droid]       #5722583 - 03/09/13 04:20 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   No pier yet. I have a couple of locations that I'm trying to decide on - the first would be just off the deck, where I could incorporate very nicely, the OB, and the second is just out in the yard. Trouble by the house is limited view. Post Extras:       droid rocketman Reged: 08/29/04 Loc: Conneaut, Ohio Re: Observatory from a Fiberglass Storage Tank [Re: berlinstar]       #5722631 - 03/09/13 04:45 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   well then it seems you already know where its gonna wind up/ do either have a good southern view? Post Extras:       berlinstar super member Reged: 03/28/11 Loc: Berlin Center, OH Re: Observatory from a Fiberglass Storage Tank [Re: berlinstar]       #5722642 - 03/09/13 04:53 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Sorry about the pics... Meant to bring the laptop home, but didnt realize I'd get this far today! Post Extras:       droid rocketman Reged: 08/29/04 Loc: Conneaut, Ohio Re: Observatory from a Fiberglass Storage Tank [Re: berlinstar]       #5722652 - 03/09/13 04:57 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   lol, its all good, no apolegy needed, Im just one bored astronomer. Post Extras:       berlinstar super member Reged: 03/28/11 Loc: Berlin Center, OH Re: Observatory from a Fiberglass Storage Tank [Re: droid]       #5725311 - 03/11/13 07:24 AM Attachment (33 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here's some PICS!!! Post Extras:       berlinstar super member Reged: 03/28/11 Loc: Berlin Center, OH Re: Observatory from a Fiberglass Storage Tank [Re: berlinstar]       #5725314 - 03/11/13 07:25 AM Attachment (28 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Going up... Post Extras:       berlinstar super member Reged: 03/28/11 Loc: Berlin Center, OH Re: Observatory from a Fiberglass Storage Tank [Re: berlinstar]       #5725316 - 03/11/13 07:28 AM Attachment (33 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Mounted Dome atop the Base! Post Extras:       berlinstar super member Reged: 03/28/11 Loc: Berlin Center, OH Re: Observatory from a Fiberglass Storage Tank [Re: berlinstar]       #5725321 - 03/11/13 07:35 AM Attachment (24 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Actually the pictures that I posted of the rigging to put the dome atop the base are in the opposite... I left the dome in-place for an evening with the wood shutter and frame covered with a tarp. It DID rain that night, but yesterday I pulled the dome back off (these are the pics that are shown). None the less, the dome rotates very nice I've got lots of finish work to do now, and hopefully this coming weekend I'll have some time to start glassing the frame and shutters. I've figured out that I can use a simple setup for locking the shutters from blowing off by use of a metal pin (probably 3/8" stainless bolt) and ply keeper, so when in not in use, the wind can't blow the shutters off. Here's a shot of the door... Post Extras:       berlinstar super member Reged: 03/28/11 Loc: Berlin Center, OH Re: Observatory from a Fiberglass Storage Tank [Re: berlinstar]       #5725323 - 03/11/13 07:40 AM Attachment (32 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I SO badly wanted to put the scope in there on Saturday or Sunday night and try her out... Friday night skies were amazing - but as Ohio likes to dish out, both Sat & Sun proved overcast the wrest of the weekend (bummer). The project is coming along pretty good! Post Extras:       Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | (show all) Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Extra information 1 registered and 10 anonymous users are browsing this forum. 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