Pipe dream..... maybe, maybe not...

[Tony Leece]

I was inspired with a mates observatory,so much i got to thinking (again) of turning my shed into a permanent home for my meagre kit.
This is probably a bit premature (as the home reno has priority, so the missus says :rulez: ).
I was considering a roll off roof, as space around the shed is limited anything else.
Has anyone any ideas? anything considered.
Only restraint is cost, i would like to do this as cheaply as possible. I have (lucklily) access to welding and fabrication, but funds are a concern.
does anyone know how much a conversion like this would cost?
Time limit doesn't matter too much.
Here are some images of the side and roller door end of the shed.
There is a pre-fab car port attached to the front of the shed, it would be the obvious thing to use this as the support for the roll off roof, but the car port is pitched to the side, so would have to be rebuilt (see pics).
Also i'm doubtfull of the strength of the suport struts for the car port.

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If the dimensions are needed they are as follows;
all internal.....
length 6M
width 3.8M
apex of roof 1.75M

Any help or hints/tips are very welcome.....

Thanks........
Tony........

[timthelder]

Hi Tony,

Check utube for roll off roofs, observatory's etc. Also looks like you would have to fabricate a pier due to the height of the walls.

I have seen a couple of roll off's made by utilizing nothing more than garage door openers.

Definitely a project.

[hpcoolahan]

Hey there Tony ,
Hope this is of interest for you.

http://astroshed.com/observatory/observ.html
this is the best option for you i think!:thumbsupmate:

Heres some other food for thought

http://obs.nineplanets.org/obs/const2.html

http://www.aao.gov.au/local/www/sl/sl-obs.html

http://www.allaboutastro.com/Articlepages/observatoryonearticle.html

http://www.richweb.f9.co.uk/astro/construction.htm

Cheers
Patrick:pipethinker:

[Tony Leece]

Thanks for the positive response guys.
I thought i'd have to build quite a tall pier Tim, not sure yet how tall. I'll have to see what the roof entails first. :thumbsupmate:
Thanks for the links Patrick. something to have a good look at, cheers:smile:

All the best.......
Tony.........

[Radar]

Wow Tony, that could be an aweosme obs. I'm not very good at working with metal though. It's good that you have access to welding equipment though.

I know this sounds wierd, but junks yards are gold mines for this type of project. The rollers, rails and anything else you need you might be able to pickup for a song. I would check out a local scrap metal yard and see what you can find. Take a tape measure when you go.

Ray

[Tony Leece]

Sound advice Ray, thanks mate........
Tony......


p.s. i like scrap yards:woot:

[timthelder]

That's some excellent links you posted HP, I really like the pier blueprint on the last one.

[malcant]

I would say you shouldn't have to modify the entire shed, just the end from the A FRAME to the wall where your saws are hanging. That will bring the cost, materials, time and other head aches I can't think of down to a minimum. just doing that part alone would be more than enough space for your observatory needs.

[Tony Leece]

Thanks Malcant,
Unfortunately (as the red arrow shows) there is a bloomin great tree near that end. and it will severly obstruct my view east.:ahh!:
The area of roof i would like to alter, lies between the two yellow arrows.
With the warm/ or in my case cool room (and anti mozzie room) to the left of the image.
I would seal up or maybe remove the roller-door mech to give a bit more room on that inside end.
Hope you followed that.
Thanks for your help mate:thumbsupmate:
Cheers.......
Tony.......

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[malcant]

Thanks Malcant,
Unfortunately (as the red arrow shows) there is a bloomin great tree near that end.
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Damn nature... Why couldn't it invent see thru tree just for our viewing pleasure? :biggrin:

[Tenacious Del]

hmm, bloody tree. :crazy:

[Tony Leece]

Can't even cut it back/ down, as it is on a neighbours land:crazy:

[Radar]

Can't even cut it back/ down, as it is on a neighbours land:crazy:

Ask your neighbours if they want the tree removed, tell them you'll do it for them and that you are building and observatory. You might be surprised at their response. I've done this before, neighbours always said yes.

Or

Play the "leaves and branches falling into and blocking my gutters" card. Offer to trim the tree back for nothing, they'll say yes because under law they are liable for blocking up your gutters, and then chop off three metres from the top of the tree. Do it on a day where they go to work. As long as you had permission, you're good to go. :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:

Ray

[Tony Leece]

Play the "leaves and branches falling into and blocking my gutters" card. Offer to trim the tree back for nothing, they'll say yes because under law they are liable for blocking up your gutters, and then chop off three metres from the top of the tree. Do it on a day where they go to work. As long as you had permission, you're good to go. :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:


I like it :welldone:
Nice one Ray mate..........
Tony.....