I'm kina begining in the middle of my build..almost close to the end..but I wanted to share some of my experiences.
I needed a large enough building for my newly fabricated 10"f/15 refractor on its 8ft pier...so I picked out a spot on my Observing Center property and began digging the massive 5' deep..3.5ftx3.5ft concrete pier footer.
Then I ordered the flooring material and began the wood floor build. Next came the walls and siding and the treated lumber sopport system for the roof.
I decided I was NOT going to follow what many do and use *V* caster rollers and steel angle iron as the rail.
I used..instead...steel casters that cost only $6 v. $21. I used 7 per side and I ran them on a 1" wide steel strip(1/8") the steel rail runs the length of the OB and rail(36ft). I build a wooden rail guide covered with galvanized angle flanging for the rollers to guide against.
The roof rolls very smoothly and can be rolled with one hand.
One note: I built this Observatory nearly entirely by myself. I did employ the help of several friends(One) who helped frame the West wall and 2 who helped build the external support structure. I built the floor, framed, sided it and built the trusses by myself... 8O
I hope to be done in several weeks.
Here is a pic of it currently..I'm placing the purlins currently
Rob
I needed a large enough building for my newly fabricated 10"f/15 refractor on its 8ft pier...so I picked out a spot on my Observing Center property and began digging the massive 5' deep..3.5ftx3.5ft concrete pier footer.
Then I ordered the flooring material and began the wood floor build. Next came the walls and siding and the treated lumber sopport system for the roof.
I decided I was NOT going to follow what many do and use *V* caster rollers and steel angle iron as the rail.
I used..instead...steel casters that cost only $6 v. $21. I used 7 per side and I ran them on a 1" wide steel strip(1/8") the steel rail runs the length of the OB and rail(36ft). I build a wooden rail guide covered with galvanized angle flanging for the rollers to guide against.
The roof rolls very smoothly and can be rolled with one hand.
One note: I built this Observatory nearly entirely by myself. I did employ the help of several friends(One) who helped frame the West wall and 2 who helped build the external support structure. I built the floor, framed, sided it and built the trusses by myself... 8O
I hope to be done in several weeks.
Here is a pic of it currently..I'm placing the purlins currently
Rob
Attached Image:
Eternity is a long time to be wrong.....so accept Jesus as your Savior.
