25/03/2007
Started work on the hole. Its still going to be a while yet till I get the shed but I thought I would make a start.
I got down about a foot and a half and ended up finding loads of rocks at the bottom.
03.04.07
The hole is now 1.5 x 1.5 foot wide and 3 foot deep. I think this is probably large enough.
Added some rebar to the hole as well.
29.04.07
Bought some of the wood for the run off section and joists for the flooring.
Also dug the hole a bit wider.
07.05.07
Ok a bit more progress.
Shed has been ordered....8x7 metal.
Wood arrived and getting cement tomorrow along with the flooring.
I have used breezblocks to level the area as it was on a slope. So far so good.
Also cemented the rebar into a bucket which in turn will have the plastic tube over it.
The mount plate also has the end rods bent so to stop the movement while set in cement.
08.05.07
Concrete and flooring arrived.
16.05.07
Shed has arrived in 3 large heavy boxes.
17.05.07
Ok finally a proper start!
Created a temporary frame and flooring to test the height that the pier should sit. I work it out to be around 120cm from ground level.
Looks like this will provide quite a good height and the mount plate could still be adjusted.
Well that only took me about an hour and a half so I'm knackered!
19 & 20th May 2007
A weekend worth of work and help from my father-in-law and i have managed to get the pier finished and cemented in.
Battling with the wind and rain at times and mixing 23 bags of concrete mix it was all worth every sore muscle in my body.
The pier is around 135 cm from ground level fully concreted into the hole with rebar.
You probably all know that i have been a bit worried about aligning the mount to Polaris and i had an idea while building the pier.
I created a wooden mount plate and went out at around 11pm to carry out a polar alignment. This worked a treat and i marked the position in the top of the pier.
Here's a picture of the wooded pier plate.
Now its Sunday and the cement has set nicely.
Time to finish the job off. The rebar is not exactly center but who cares, this pier doesn't budge at all.
Father-in-law giving me a hand ;)
So now for the base and flooring, it'll have to wait till tomorrow. ;)
21.05.07
I got burnt today as the weather was so nice.
Got the joists made and painted.
This section is going to be the path to the observatory.
I cut back some of the bush but shall need quite a lot of stones to cover the weed membrane.
23.05.07
25.05.07
Treated the flooring with wood preserve and secured it.
26.05.07
During the long weekend we managed to get loads done.
Setting up the basic frame is time consuming but I did manage on my own.
This is the frame for the roof.
The wheels shall be attached to it on either side.
It took four of us to lift this onto the rails.
We used the higher section of decking to slide it over.
I must say a big thanks to Karen (my wife), Derek (father-in-law) and Maureen (mother-in-law) for helping. Without them there is no way I would have been able to get the roof on.
Only installed two turnbuckles so the roof was secure for the night.
Even with just the two installed the roof would not move at all.
I'm so pleased we managed to get this far in just one day, cheers Derek!
I just couldn't resist placing the scope on the mount.
Looks great!!!
28.05.07
Weather still quite nice today and at least the wind has calmed down.
Derek made a great job of the end supports and I installed the weatherboards.
Karen positioned the hanging baskets and I finished the painting.
Tried the shed for size with the 8" Newt.
The roof rolls with ease!
Some inside shots
Next job shall be to paint the pier black.
Well I really feel like the observatory can now be used. Sealed some of the gaps but I know there is still a bit to do.
Shall kit out the inside with a desk and PC.