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Andy Dodson | profile | all galleries >> Galleries >> H.S.T. (Huirangi Search Telescope) tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

H.S.T. (Huirangi Search Telescope)

A pictorial album of the construction of the HST
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A 9 5/8 casing pup joint from a pipeyard for a pier
A 9 5/8" casing pup joint from a pipeyard for a pier		 Brent cutting the casing
Brent cutting the casing		 AD & Brent grinding and grinding....
AD & Brent grinding and grinding....		 Brent welding
Brent welding
Above ground pier ready for painting. Below ground pier in background
Above ground pier ready for painting. Below ground pier in background		 Drilling & tapping the flanges to an M8 bolt pattern
Drilling & tapping the flanges to an M8 bolt pattern		 pier ready to go to the site
pier ready to go to the site		 The dome arrives
The dome arrives
unpacking the dome
unpacking the dome		 site topsoil removed
site topsoil removed		 Drilling a hole for the pier with a 500mm auger.
Drilling a hole for the pier with a 500mm auger.		 24 Nov 2007, Checking the depth of the hole for the pier
24 Nov 2007, Checking the depth of the hole for the pier
24 Nov 2007, Ramming the fill in the hole
24 Nov 2007, Ramming the fill in the hole		 24 Nov 2007, Re-checking the hole depth
24 Nov 2007, Re-checking the hole depth		 24 Nov 2007, Checking the base height - a little more clay needs to be taken out
24 Nov 2007, Checking the base height - a little more clay needs to be taken out		 24 Nov 2007, Taking more clay off a high spot
24 Nov 2007, Taking more clay off a high spot
25 Nov 2007, Rod takes a break and checks out solar minimum
25 Nov 2007, Rod takes a break and checks out solar minimum		 25 Nov 2007, Fast spadework from Sharon
25 Nov 2007, Fast spadework from Sharon		 25 Nov 2007, Base levelling. Sharon, Rod & Brent
25 Nov 2007, Base levelling. Sharon, Rod & Brent		 25 Nov 2007, Rod in action
25 Nov 2007, Rod in action
1 Dec 2007, Two pavers were lowered into the hole to form a firm footing for the pier
1 Dec 2007, Two pavers were lowered into the hole to form a firm footing for the pier		 1 Dec 2007, The lower ½ of the pier weighing several hundred kg is lowered into the hole
1 Dec 2007, The lower ½ of the pier weighing several hundred kg is lowered into the hole		 1 Dec 2007, The pier boxed vertical with pegs, and with 2 bolt holes pointing North
1 Dec 2007, The pier boxed vertical with pegs, and with 2 bolt holes pointing North		 1 Dec 2007, Mixing concrete for the pier inner and annulus
1 Dec 2007, Mixing concrete for the pier inner and annulus
15 Dec, Rod working on the reinforcing mesh
15 Dec, Rod working on the reinforcing mesh		 15 Dec, The reinforcing completed
15 Dec, The reinforcing completed		 15 Dec, Boxing around the pier
15 Dec, Boxing around the pier		 15 Dec, Ready to pour concrete
15 Dec, Ready to pour concrete
20 Dec, Ian with the mixer he borrowed, checking the weather ?
20 Dec, Ian with the mixer he borrowed, checking the weather ?		 20 Dec, The concrete mixed and the pad poured
20 Dec, The concrete mixed and the pad poured		 20 Dec, Ian celebrates
20 Dec, Ian celebrates		 20 Dec,Final touches
20 Dec,Final touches
20 Dec, scrubbing down the screeding timber to re-use for the framing,- well it's $7/m !
20 Dec, scrubbing down the screeding timber to re-use for the framing,- well it's $7/m !		 9 Feb, Cutting the framing
9 Feb, Cutting the framing		 9 Feb, 2 walls up, 2 to go. The photo isn't sharp, but the light was fading
9 Feb, 2 walls up, 2 to go. The photo isn't sharp, but the light was fading		 10 Feb. Rod measures the cladding ready for cutting. I had to change the contrast on this pic, it was washed out with the rain
10 Feb. Rod measures the cladding ready for cutting. I had to change the contrast on this pic, it was washed out with the rain
10 Feb. The assembled walls & DPC laid, - all ready for Dynabolting
10 Feb. The assembled walls & DPC laid, - all ready for Dynabolting		 11 Feb. 3 of the wall frames have been bolted to the pad. The 4th will be done after the pad has been used to assemble the dome
11 Feb. 3 of the wall frames have been bolted to the pad. The 4th will be done after the pad has been used to assemble the dome		 12 Feb The assembled dome (less shutters) ready for mounting. Brent lend a hand to bring the assembled dome back in from the pad
12 Feb The assembled dome (less shutters) ready for mounting. Brent lend a hand to bring the assembled dome back in from the pad		 12 Feb. All the wall frames up and ready for cladding
12 Feb. All the wall frames up and ready for cladding
13 Feb. The offending Dynabolt in the East (last) wall, - in place at last
13 Feb. The offending Dynabolt in the East (last) wall, - in place at last		 13 Feb. The dome now on the assembled ring, with the dome wheels on
13 Feb. The dome now on the assembled ring, with the dome wheels on		 13 Feb. A close up of the dome wheels seen from above. (before the top gaurds are installed)
13 Feb. A close up of the dome wheels seen from above. (before the top gaurds are installed)		 The framing with some extra nogs to support the corner flashing. The framing is braced to ensure the diagonals are equal,
The framing with some extra nogs to support the corner flashing. The framing is braced to ensure the diagonals are equal,
15 Feb. The framing braced to ensure the building is 'square' as the cladding goes on.
15 Feb. The framing braced to ensure the building is 'square' as the cladding goes on.		 15 Feb. The cladding more than half way complete. Yep, not as hot up there today with the wind blowing
15 Feb. The cladding more than half way complete. Yep, not as hot up there today with the wind blowing		 16 Feb. The cladding is completed, (the corners will be flashed) and the dome support framing is started.
16 Feb. The cladding is completed, (the corners will be flashed) and the dome support framing is started.		 17 Feb. The support frame for the dome has been started
17 Feb. The support frame for the dome has been started
19 Feb. Cutting the ply for the door
19 Feb. Cutting the ply for the door		 20 Feb. Infill nogs to support the dome ring
20 Feb. Infill nogs to support the dome ring		 22 Feb. Jigsawing out the curve in the roof panels to take the dome ring. Cut panels in the background.
22 Feb. Jigsawing out the curve in the roof panels to take the dome ring. Cut panels in the background.		 22 Feb. Routering out a 5 mm channel in the 12mm ply to accept a tongue for the butt joints. Channel detail inset
22 Feb. Routering out a 5 mm channel in the 12mm ply to accept a tongue for the butt joints. Channel detail inset
28 Feb. Work on the 26-28 Feb has completed the ply roof and dome ring. The ply will be flashed & glassed
28 Feb. Work on the 26-28 Feb has completed the ply roof and dome ring. The ply will be flashed & glassed		 28 Feb, Exterior detail of the tongue in the ply butt joints
28 Feb, Exterior detail of the tongue in the ply butt joints		 28 Feb. Interior detail of the dome ring. There's a 3mm foam seal between the base of the glass ring and the ply
28 Feb. Interior detail of the dome ring. There's a 3mm foam seal between the base of the glass ring and the ply		 29 Feb. Door detail
29 Feb. Door detail
29 Feb. With help from Murray & pup Herman, the dome is now on. The dome rotates with just finger pressure.
29 Feb. With help from Murray & pup Herman, the dome is now on. The dome rotates with just finger pressure.		 3 Mar. Going over the door edges with the plane.
3 Mar. Going over the door edges with the plane.		 3 Mar. Chiseling out the door lock mortice
3 Mar. Chiseling out the door lock mortice		 3 Mar. Marking out and checking out the door for the hinges.
3 Mar. Marking out and checking out the door for the hinges.
3 Mar. Checking out for the door hinges
3 Mar. Checking out for the door hinges		 3 Mar. Attaching the upper shutter motor
3 Mar. Attaching the upper shutter motor		 3 Mar. Uppr shutter motor detail
3 Mar. Uppr shutter motor detail		 3 Mar. Screwing the dome rotation toothed bars on
3 Mar. Screwing the dome rotation toothed bars on
11 Mar. Obs. interior. Dome rotation control box on LHS with remote switch.
11 Mar. Obs. interior. Dome rotation control box on LHS with remote switch.		 22 Mar. The obs. with flashings. Looking SE
22 Mar. The obs. with flashings. Looking SE		 22 Mar. The obs from the West showing the door
22 Mar. The obs from the West showing the door		 22 Mar. The bench for the PC's etc
22 Mar. The bench for the PC's etc
22 Mar. Bench detail
22 Mar. Bench detail		 12 Apr 2008, Photo by Melanie Cooper, Carrying the 14 LX200R out to the observatory. (115 lbs)
12 Apr 2008, Photo by Melanie Cooper, Carrying the 14" LX200R out to the observatory. (115 lbs)		 12 Apr 2008, Photo by Melanie Cooper, ABout to take the 14 LX200R into the observatory
12 Apr 2008, Photo by Melanie Cooper, ABout to take the 14" LX200R into the observatory		 12 Apr 2008, Photo by Melanie Cooper, Myself & Murray holding it up to the wedge, & Rodney putting the cap screws in
12 Apr 2008, Photo by Melanie Cooper, Myself & Murray holding it up to the wedge, & Rodney putting the cap screws in
12 Apr 2008, Photo by Melanie Cooper, The scope on the pier
12 Apr 2008, Photo by Melanie Cooper, The scope on the pier		 12 Apr 2008. Photo by Rod Austin. Melanie's shooting position
12 Apr 2008. Photo by Rod Austin. Melanie's shooting position		 12 Apr 2008, The 14 LX200R mounted
12 Apr 2008, The 14" LX200R mounted		 12 Apr 2008, The 14 LX200R mounted
12 Apr 2008, The 14" LX200R mounted
31 May 2008, Mounting the 10w solar panel to keep the shutter battery charged Deb assisting 39 weeks pregnant
31 May 2008, Mounting the 10w solar panel to keep the shutter battery charged Deb assisting 39 weeks pregnant
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comment | share
Mat Jury 23-Jul-2008 03:14
Wow, thats a serious Pier
ursula 17-Mar-2008 09:23
Evenin' Andy,
Great progress - you're doing excellently well ! Some of the pics are fmailiar. My favourite (artistically) is the lowering of the two pavers. Could be disappearing into a wormhole or black hole.
Great stuff.
Ursula.
Ravi and Lakshmi Iyer 12-Mar-2008 00:47
Amazing job Andy. Excellent. Well done.
Guest 01-Mar-2008 04:21
looks great Andy, you guys have done an amazing job.
michael raynes
Michael Kruse 16-Feb-2008 04:48
Looking good Andy
John Cooper12-Feb-2008 08:49
Very interesting, well documented.
Andy Dodson03-Jul-2007 15:20
Hi Kim,

48" Sonotube " That's some Sonotube ! This new pier is nowhere near as massive as my existing pier, but I'm learning I think, and will be more than is really required
andy
Kim Colter 29-Jun-2007 00:11
Andy
When I was building the observatory that the 40 inch Dob is in, I dug a hole with a shovel that held the lower half of a nine foot piece of 48 inch sonotube. When the sonotube was in place, filled with re-bar, and ready for the five cubic yards of concrete it took to fill it, I wondered if some spy satellite was going to spot it and send the Blackstone types out to see if I was constructing a ground launched cruise missile site. I remember muttering, "I didn't know astronomy involved this much digging." Your pics are reminiscent of those days. Your pier looks solid.
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