ASIGN Observatory II is back on track!

[geoffsta]

One could say that you were on POT Thanks for showing us though this great adventure. From the boxing of the concrete, through to the end product.

[AsignObservatory]

I think a "well-done" is due rather than click on the button.

Too kind!

Baz.

- - - Updated - - -

One could say that you were on POT Thanks for showing us though this great adventure. From the boxing of the concrete, through to the end product.

Thank mate!

Far from finished yet! Much still to do!

Baz.

[mongo]

Mongo missed this thread originally. However , he has now seen it all in one go. Mongo is über impressed. Great photo story, great work and no doubt - great images to come judging from your past efforts and the set up you have now established for that purpose.

Big congrats from Mongo and lets see the goods in due course.

[Kym]

Looking excellent!

[AsignObservatory]

ASIGN Observatory II from around 11 metres off the ground.

[AsignObservatory]

The flashing arrived today!! Fabricated perfectly to my measurements and diagrams.


Installing the weather-proof skirt around the dome.

[fess67]

Sweet

[geoffsta]

Gives it a different perspective. Your other images made it look a lot smaller.

[AsignObservatory]

1. Flashing (weather skirt) installed. Peeling the protective plastic off all the sheets now.


2. First coat of light-absorbing matt-black paint on the inside.

[AsignObservatory]

After last Saturday afternoon's severe sideways storm and rain flooding the observatory and everything in it, this week I got the silicone into all the joints and sealed it all up over the last couple of days. Today we had another big thunderstorm which was a great test.

I went inside during the downpour to look for leaks. I found one dripping through on the skirt, which I marked and will plug later when it dries. Also half a dozen other tiny drops which I also marked for sealing later. That should just about do it! The inside of the dome was 99.8% dry after the thunderstorm, so it's looking MUCH better!

[ameerat42]

Glad to hear it, Baz.
Am.

[AsignObservatory]

This week our friend and family electrician spent some good hours in the observatory with me, planning the lighting, powerpoints and distribution board. The cabling has now all been run, ready to connect all the hardware.

As well, this week I got a lovely $50 donation from a Canberra local, which I was able to spend at Fletcher Insulation in Hume on a few bags to insulate from heat and sound. It is instantly cool in there now and OOOHHHHH SOOOO QUIET!!

Full construction page here.

[AsignObservatory]

Picked up the wood today for building the staircase from the bottom to the top floor of the observatory. Beautifully seasoned and STRAIGHT cypress.

Can't wait to start working it!

[ameerat42]

OK, somebody's gotter say something about these being some of the last steps...
Alternatively, a stairway to the heavens???

[tcdev]

Nothing to say but following with plenty of interest!

[AsignObservatory]

Sorry it's been a while since my last update. Lots of building materials have arrived so it looks like I'm going to be a very busy boy for a few weeks now! Here's what's happening:

Inside fitout begins.

It's been a big week for the observatory this week. I was able to purchase the thin plywood interior wall panelling and even cut some to size and fitted two sheets.

I tested a corner of the cypress slabs I picked up last week by belt-sanding them with some 40 grit to get the saw-marks out of it, then rubbed some raw linseed oil into the test-patch to see the colour. The yellow-gold natural colour takes on a rich red-gold.

I applied by letter to my local government for a large log that one of their services had a stockpile of. To my delight, they approved and happily donated a log.

I found a magnificent pine log, well seasoned with the bark just falling off it. It is my intention to cut it four ways down the length, to cut a post out of the middle of it. The post will be kept aside while the rounded slices will sandwich around the centre pier downstairs, making the pier look like a big tree-trunk. This will then be sanded and rubbed with raw linseed oil, as will the stairs and handrails.

Link to construction page here.









- - - Updated - - -

Sorry it's been a while since my last update. Lots of building materials have arrived so it looks like I'm going to be a very busy boy for a few weeks now! Here's what's happening:

Inside fitout begins.

It's been a big week for the observatory this week. I was able to purchase the thin plywood interior wall panelling and even cut some to size and fitted two sheets.

I tested a corner of the cypress slabs I picked up last week by belt-sanding them with some 40 grit to get the saw-marks out of it, then rubbed some raw linseed oil into the test-patch to see the colour. The yellow-gold natural colour takes on a rich red-gold.

I applied by letter to my local government for a large log that one of their services had a stockpile of. To my delight, they approved and happily donated a log.

I found a magnificent pine log, well seasoned with the bark just falling off it. It is my intention to cut it four ways down the length, to cut a post out of the middle of it. The post will be kept aside while the rounded slices will sandwich around the centre pier downstairs, making the pier look like a big tree-trunk. This will then be sanded and rubbed with raw linseed oil, as will the stairs and handrails.

Link to construction page here.

[peterking]

For all the work you have so far put in and will add to in the near future you should be a very proud man. It is looking more and more stunning all the time.

[AsignObservatory]

Aww shucks... thanks Peter!

1. Big sanding job! Got one slab of cypress de-barked and sanded down at lunch time. Look at the comparison with the sanded and unsanded slabs!


Debarked and sanded on top and both sides. Ready to make stairs!
2.

[AsignObservatory]

1. Sanding down the cypress slabs


2. All six sanded ready to build stairs.


3. Eucalypt deadwood handrail.


4. Handrail on tread


5. Wall panels in. Trims, skirts and architraves to go.

[EB Alex]

Those cypress stairs will look beautiful when done!