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New deck and observatory install
Got the deck taken out, and my buddy and his small crew put in an 18 inch round pier with a T base 5 feet deep. The dirt in my hill is super strong and solid, and I'm guessing that pier base isn't moving at all if much at all. Just levelled the J bolts (except he used screws with flat square 3 inch plates on the end. It'll be solid. So, that part is done. Monday they install the actual deck, should be done my tuesday. Wed. my observatory shows up. Can't wait.
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Comment by Conor on April 5, 2012 at 7:22am
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Oh man, this just keeps getting better and better. I'm excited _for_ you! I can't wait to see all of that together!
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Comment by Charles Dunlop on April 4, 2012 at 6:42pm
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thanks Bob. It looks actually pretty difficult to assemble, the instructions are so so. I'll be on it though, one step at a time no shortcuts.
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The deck is not ready yet, had to exchange the wood. But the dome has arrived. It was looking like a nightmare as the freight said it was like 1200 lbs even though the observatory is supposed to weigh only like 450 lbs, so there was some drama, I decided to rip it open anyway and it was easy to lift each part, super easy. So my brother, Leddy and I, and the driver who started to dig on astronomy pitched in as well, and we moved it to the back yard, and it is rad. Quality looks good, I'm impressed and happy. Of course the real test will be this weekend when I fire it up.
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My goal was to just clear the observatory opening in horizontal position. So, the opening in my new observatory will be I think it was 40 inches high. The paramount at my latitude is like 12.5 inches in hieght to the angle where the telescope at horizontal position. So I just calculated 40 inches minus 12.5 and that is the hieght of my pier.
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Comment by Marc Basti on April 4, 2012 at 3:38am
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Charles, I am setting my final pier height (the concrete is my pier w/plate(s) on top). I was curious what the height of your (just the) steel pier is, I was looking at this pic
http://astrogab.ning.com/photo/new-paramount?context=user
Did you keep it the same (adjust the new height w/your concrete elevation) Thanks, Marc
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thanks Conor. Can't wait.
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That's going to be so awesome!
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Looks good. They got the wrong color deck planks, so I'm delayed until tomorrow for the final buildout. Can't wait though, tomorrow it'll be done and my observatory shows up tomorrow evening. AMPED!!!
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They said a few days, but it'll be longer anyway. Today wood was delivered for the deck, today the deck goes in, then wed my ovservatory shows up and I'll put that together and then put the pier on and assemble the telescope. So that'll be thursday at the very earliest but most likely friday or satruday because I've got such a busy life. STOKED.... Can't wait. New obervatory and super solid pier and pier base. If I can't nail super good shots after all this then I'm a moron!! :)
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Good to hear. Looks like you're on schedule. How long did the concrete guys say to let the pier base cure before you bolt on the pier? Marc
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