In the process of Building my Observatory.
Started by
tim57064
, Sep 28 2013 09:37 AM
554 replies to this topic
#76
tim57064
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Posted 10 October 2013 - 08:46 PM
One last shot for the day.
#77
tim57064
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Posted 10 October 2013 - 10:33 PM
Mike / mikey cee as you can see now, I opted not to build the split roof design. My wife had a little to do with that.She said that it looked like wings and did not like it. I had drawn up quick sketch for her to get an idea of what it would look like.
If I had gone ahead with the split,I would not be as far along as I am now. I think it would have looked cool though with the 4"x6" timber framed outrigger roof supports,mortised and tenoned together, I had planned.
As always,thanks for your reply.
If I had gone ahead with the split,I would not be as far along as I am now. I think it would have looked cool though with the 4"x6" timber framed outrigger roof supports,mortised and tenoned together, I had planned.
As always,thanks for your reply.
#78
Megabusa
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Posted 11 October 2013 - 12:31 AM
Tim it looks like you got the heavy stuff done , Its coming along good , When I was at this point with mine , I went down to one Ibuprofen a day from three X-p
#79
Aquarist
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Posted 11 October 2013 - 07:20 AM
Ah, yes, Ibuprofen. A must for building an observatory. I am lucky that I am beyond that point!
#80
tim57064
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Posted 11 October 2013 - 08:52 AM
We had a little bit of rain this morning ,not enough to leak thru the seams of the roof sheathing.Winds are suppose to gust to 40 mph today so I am glad I got the full size sheets up yesterday.
My neighbor dropped off some 30 lb tar paper this morning! A few days ago he told me not to buy any as he had some that he has had for a while and had no use for it.
So as soon as I know the rain has passed,I will be out there to finish up the few pieces of roof sheathing that are left and put the paper on.
Do not think I will attempt installing the steel roofing though with the winds as high as they are,at least not by myself. That stuff will cut right thru ya.
I also have been on the Ibuprofen regimen. Times though it does not help much.
My neighbor dropped off some 30 lb tar paper this morning! A few days ago he told me not to buy any as he had some that he has had for a while and had no use for it.
So as soon as I know the rain has passed,I will be out there to finish up the few pieces of roof sheathing that are left and put the paper on.
Do not think I will attempt installing the steel roofing though with the winds as high as they are,at least not by myself. That stuff will cut right thru ya.
I also have been on the Ibuprofen regimen. Times though it does not help much.
#81
csa/montana
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Posted 11 October 2013 - 09:03 AM
Tim, it's coming along very nicely! That roof is beautiful!
#82
tim57064
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Posted 11 October 2013 - 09:04 AM
Steve,your AP 1600GTO mount would be a pipe dream for me. Something that would truly enhance my viewing and imaging endeavors.
#83
tim57064
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Posted 11 October 2013 - 09:10 AM
Thank you so much Carol. I hope that soon,very soon I will have it completed in time to view and image the Orion Nebula before winter sets in. My dream is to be able to view/image from the comfort of my heated woodworking shop some 60 feet away.
There will be no need to automate the roof just the scopes and my camera.
There will be no need to automate the roof just the scopes and my camera.
#84
Raginar
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Posted 11 October 2013 - 07:28 PM
I'd think about automating it. You have no idea how wonderful it is.
#85
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Posted 11 October 2013 - 07:42 PM
Thanks Tim. The AP160GTO and associated software is one very nice piece of equipment. Your observatory is looking really good! It is an exciting project for sure. All the little details at the end are lots of fun but will keep you thinking. Love this thread.
#86
tim57064
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Posted 11 October 2013 - 07:57 PM
Chris hello,Thank you for your response. My reasoning for not automating the Observatory roof is, it is not cost effective for me. I do not think I could get my wife to go along with the added cost. Besides,like I said,it is only about 60 feet away. I do want to run both the scope's mount and my camera remotely though. I do love the idea though.
Steve,Thank you for your kind words. It is exciting to be getting close to finishing the OBS. I still have electrical to run inside and 'til next spring I will b running an extension cord out to it.I can deal with that for a while.
I will be putting a female adapter style plug on the outside of the building to make it easier to plug into it.I believe they are kind of like an rv plug of some kind.
I'll be checking those out next week.
Carpeting will be going down inside soon also,as soon as I get the skirting installed around the gap between the top plate and the casters.
Steve,Thank you for your kind words. It is exciting to be getting close to finishing the OBS. I still have electrical to run inside and 'til next spring I will b running an extension cord out to it.I can deal with that for a while.
I will be putting a female adapter style plug on the outside of the building to make it easier to plug into it.I believe they are kind of like an rv plug of some kind.
I'll be checking those out next week.
Carpeting will be going down inside soon also,as soon as I get the skirting installed around the gap between the top plate and the casters.
#87
tim57064
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Posted 11 October 2013 - 08:36 PM
Hi all,Yes it's me again. Today was a little fruitful. It started out a little slow. I got started around 9 this morning as it was just slightly cooler than yesterday and the clouds acted like they were going to open up the flood gates.Thankfully that did not happen.
It was quite windy again today though with gusts up to around 40 again.
I was able to finish up the remaining 3 small corner pieces I had left over from yesterday.
Before that, my neighbor showed up with a partial roll of felt paper for the roof as he had told me not to buy any since he had some. I thanked him and got to work again.
Before too long though,I realized I was not going to have enough and ran out with about 20 feet left to cover.
Well another trip to Menards was in store,no pun intended.
I needed the wood for the Fascia and gutter apron anyway so away I went.
When I returned, an hour and a half later,I finished installing the 20 feet that were left. Now I have merely 130 more feet of felt roofing paper and no where for it.
Storage yes,another project, maybe,hopefully a while from now though.
Okay,next on the agenda was to get the Fascia installed.
My original thoughts on this were to use 1"x6" boards,Douglas Fir,and just paint. Well I stuck with the Fir ,yet went with 1"x8"'s at 8 feet long instead. Joints you say.
Quite alright for me,this isn't a mansion.
It may be my home once in a while the way I get myself into trouble with My wife though. She has already labeled it my new home,smirkenly
as she said it.
So any way,I was able to finish the Fascia and started in on the gutter apron before quitting for the night at 6pm.
So cleaned up work area ,got myself cleaned up and had supper by 7 pm. Kind of late for me ,normally. Now on here and watching Nascar Nationwide from Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Here is the first of a few shots I took before the sun went down.
It was quite windy again today though with gusts up to around 40 again.
I was able to finish up the remaining 3 small corner pieces I had left over from yesterday.
Before that, my neighbor showed up with a partial roll of felt paper for the roof as he had told me not to buy any since he had some. I thanked him and got to work again.
Before too long though,I realized I was not going to have enough and ran out with about 20 feet left to cover.
Well another trip to Menards was in store,no pun intended.
I needed the wood for the Fascia and gutter apron anyway so away I went.
When I returned, an hour and a half later,I finished installing the 20 feet that were left. Now I have merely 130 more feet of felt roofing paper and no where for it.
Storage yes,another project, maybe,hopefully a while from now though.
Okay,next on the agenda was to get the Fascia installed.
My original thoughts on this were to use 1"x6" boards,Douglas Fir,and just paint. Well I stuck with the Fir ,yet went with 1"x8"'s at 8 feet long instead. Joints you say.
Quite alright for me,this isn't a mansion.
It may be my home once in a while the way I get myself into trouble with My wife though. She has already labeled it my new home,smirkenly
as she said it.
So any way,I was able to finish the Fascia and started in on the gutter apron before quitting for the night at 6pm.
So cleaned up work area ,got myself cleaned up and had supper by 7 pm. Kind of late for me ,normally. Now on here and watching Nascar Nationwide from Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Here is the first of a few shots I took before the sun went down.
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#88
tim57064
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Posted 11 October 2013 - 08:38 PM
Here is another at a different angle of today's progress.
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#89
tim57064
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Posted 11 October 2013 - 08:39 PM
And another
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#90
tim57064
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Posted 11 October 2013 - 08:45 PM
I know,just a box with a cap on it. 
Whats the big deal Right? Well here is a shot from inside ,up at the rafters. Way tooo many angles. 
All Hand built,cheaper yet a real pain.
Oh by the way,the winching strap you see in the pic was used to square up the roof, since I was by myself,to keep it square while I got all the Rafters in place and corner braces on.
Just haven't taken the time to remove them yet.
Whats the big deal Right? Well here is a shot from inside ,up at the rafters. Way tooo many angles.
All Hand built,cheaper yet a real pain.
Oh by the way,the winching strap you see in the pic was used to square up the roof, since I was by myself,to keep it square while I got all the Rafters in place and corner braces on.
Just haven't taken the time to remove them yet.
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#91
tim57064
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Posted 11 October 2013 - 08:48 PM
Opposite side of underside of roof.
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#92
tim57064
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Posted 11 October 2013 - 09:00 PM
Here is a closeup of the casters I chose to use. Thanks to the link provided by Bob of the Mad Observatory,I was able to purchase the greasable Casters that have a 700 lb capacity,for $11.00 each from Amazon http://www.amazon.co...00426CB5U/re... This was an excellent deal. Thanks again Bob for the link on your OBS build thread.
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#93
tim57064
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Posted 11 October 2013 - 09:06 PM
Last but not least tonight.One more shot of the casters used and one of the 4 turnbuckles I had used on the other OBS I had built at a friends house,Of Course with his help at the time. This one,so far only help I have gotten was my stepson providing the Bobcat and his time to dig the footings. Paid for by a case of cold Malt and Barley.
Badabadabadaba,Thats all folks, 'til the morrow.
Badabadabadaba,Thats all folks, 'til the morrow.
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#94
BYoesle
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Posted 11 October 2013 - 09:08 PM
You are very welcome Tim, and your excellent work and the observatory are coming along great!!
#95
tim57064
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Posted 11 October 2013 - 10:21 PM
I have made a list of possible names for my Observatory and would like to know what others think of them.
"The Hawk OBS",Because we continually have hawks that come around and chase after the rabbits and Sparrows.
"The Outer House",That was my wife's suggestion as in my new home for when I get in trouble with her I guess,not sure.
"The North Wind OBS" My thought as the winds are furious here quite often.
"The PRST OBS" Those are the initials of our kids.Pronounced the Pursed. Too many grandkids to list,12 of them, and their first initials do not spell anything.Name Not favored by my wife.
"Red Roof OBS" As that is the color of the steel roofing we have chosen to use.
"The TSD OBS" as in Tea,South Dakota
"Cloudy Sky OBS" You Know why I think.
"Clouds Break OBS" or "The Clouds Park OBS" You should also know why.
"Dakota Skies OBS" As in I live under them.
"The TEA POT OBS" As I live in Tea and my wife collects TEA POTS. I get her a new set every Christmas and she has over 50 sets. Also we have a city wide celebration once a year that is called TEA POT Days and there is a huge painting of a TEA POT on the main Water Tower. Also of course,because of Sagittarius,The Great. Kind of a triple or quadruple relationship here.
That is a list of names I have and would like any and all comments on the list.
"The Hawk OBS",Because we continually have hawks that come around and chase after the rabbits and Sparrows.
"The Outer House",That was my wife's suggestion as in my new home for when I get in trouble with her I guess,not sure.
"The North Wind OBS" My thought as the winds are furious here quite often.
"The PRST OBS" Those are the initials of our kids.Pronounced the Pursed. Too many grandkids to list,12 of them, and their first initials do not spell anything.Name Not favored by my wife.
"Red Roof OBS" As that is the color of the steel roofing we have chosen to use.
"The TSD OBS" as in Tea,South Dakota
"Cloudy Sky OBS" You Know why I think.
"Clouds Break OBS" or "The Clouds Park OBS" You should also know why.
"Dakota Skies OBS" As in I live under them.
"The TEA POT OBS" As I live in Tea and my wife collects TEA POTS. I get her a new set every Christmas and she has over 50 sets. Also we have a city wide celebration once a year that is called TEA POT Days and there is a huge painting of a TEA POT on the main Water Tower. Also of course,because of Sagittarius,The Great. Kind of a triple or quadruple relationship here.
That is a list of names I have and would like any and all comments on the list.
#96
mikey cee
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Posted 12 October 2013 - 09:46 AM
Yes Tim the 1x8"s are preferred by me also. It gives your roof the look of heft over "spindly" looking 1x6's. 
Mike
Mike
#97
Aquarist
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Apollo
Posted 12 October 2013 - 12:27 PM
Well if I lived in South Dakota, North Winds would seem about right.
#98
Footbag
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Posted 12 October 2013 - 12:50 PM
Great job on the roof!
AS far as names, given the story, I kind of like the TEA POT OBS. Then again, there are a lot of good names to chose from.
AS far as names, given the story, I kind of like the TEA POT OBS. Then again, there are a lot of good names to chose from.
#99
tim57064
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Posted 12 October 2013 - 09:29 PM
Mike,yeah the 1"x 8"'s do look a lot better than the 6"ers. Thanks for your comment.
Steve,I kind of like "The North Winds OBS" myself yet still undecided. Thanks.
Adam,Thanks for your kind words. "The Tea Pot OBS" seems appropriate yet the wife still does not seem to be warming up to it yet. Even though she could care less about astronomy,she still comes out on occasions when I ask,to take a look thru the eyepiece.
Steve,I kind of like "The North Winds OBS" myself yet still undecided. Thanks.
Adam,Thanks for your kind words. "The Tea Pot OBS" seems appropriate yet the wife still does not seem to be warming up to it yet. Even though she could care less about astronomy,she still comes out on occasions when I ask,to take a look thru the eyepiece.
#100
tim57064
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Posted 12 October 2013 - 10:05 PM
Well today started out a little slow again.
My plan was to get the steel roofing installed.
I started by getting all of the gutter apron installed and thought I had enough. I need exactly 48 feet of gutter apron and had purchased 50 feet.
You would think that would have been enough,yet after having about a 3 inch over hang for each seam,at the end,it was 1 single inch short,exactly one inch.
No way,I was going to have to go back and get another 10 feet to get that one inch. After looking in the garage, I just happened to find a 3 foot long section I had left over from my woodworking shop build.
With no time to celebrate,cut a 4 inch piece off and took care of it.
Well then I needed to call Menards for some reason,I do not remember why and after talking to a friend there,that just happened to answer the phone, he had asked what I was using to cut the roofing material.
I had explained that I had worked with some used steel roofing on my friends OBS and had used my circular saw and a concrete blade with good results.
He immediately told me,with no reservations, Not to use the saw on the new steel as it would void the paint warranty.
So I chose not to cut it the way I had planned.
What the heck then? Well my friend said that he had an offset metal sheer that attaches to a drill and I could use it if I wanted. No brainer right? I would just have to wait til he got off work at 2:30 pm in order to get it from him.
That was 10:30 this morning. That would be 4 hours away before I could start putting the roofing on.
Before I got the call from my friend,I tried my hand operated metal snips that took me a half hour to find. It took me 30 minutes to cut 2 pieces for the roof.
Then,
2:30 arrived and no call,3:15 and I was able to get the tool to get started, Thank Goodness.
It only took me 2 hours to get half of the roof installed by having that drill operated metal sheer.
I quit for the night at 5:30 pm satisfied as I will have one more day,Sunday, before the rain comes on Monday to finish the roof.
Here is a pic of the half that is done,except for the Hip ridge cap.
My plan was to get the steel roofing installed.
I started by getting all of the gutter apron installed and thought I had enough. I need exactly 48 feet of gutter apron and had purchased 50 feet.
You would think that would have been enough,yet after having about a 3 inch over hang for each seam,at the end,it was 1 single inch short,exactly one inch.
No way,I was going to have to go back and get another 10 feet to get that one inch. After looking in the garage, I just happened to find a 3 foot long section I had left over from my woodworking shop build.
With no time to celebrate,cut a 4 inch piece off and took care of it.
Well then I needed to call Menards for some reason,I do not remember why and after talking to a friend there,that just happened to answer the phone, he had asked what I was using to cut the roofing material.
I had explained that I had worked with some used steel roofing on my friends OBS and had used my circular saw and a concrete blade with good results.
He immediately told me,with no reservations, Not to use the saw on the new steel as it would void the paint warranty.
So I chose not to cut it the way I had planned.
What the heck then? Well my friend said that he had an offset metal sheer that attaches to a drill and I could use it if I wanted. No brainer right? I would just have to wait til he got off work at 2:30 pm in order to get it from him.
That was 10:30 this morning. That would be 4 hours away before I could start putting the roofing on.
Before I got the call from my friend,I tried my hand operated metal snips that took me a half hour to find. It took me 30 minutes to cut 2 pieces for the roof.
Then,
2:30 arrived and no call,3:15 and I was able to get the tool to get started, Thank Goodness.
It only took me 2 hours to get half of the roof installed by having that drill operated metal sheer.
I quit for the night at 5:30 pm satisfied as I will have one more day,Sunday, before the rain comes on Monday to finish the roof.
Here is a pic of the half that is done,except for the Hip ridge cap.
Attached Thumbnails
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