Well, the backyard monsoon season is approaching, and soon my observatory will be sitting on 1-2" of water.  I didn't put in a deck!  So,  I'm building a deck on 4"x4"s this weekend.  I hope it doesn't float!

  Also, my roll off weighs something like 150lbs and the tolerances are too small.  So, I'm shaving an 1" off the bottom of the 2x4 supports, and cutting away .5-.75" off the side tracks to give me some slop.  Hopefully, it will move more easily and I wont look like Mr. Bean every time I try and open my roof!  I fthis doesn't work, I have to go to a 1/4" ply instead of 3/8" osb.

  After this full year cycle, Kepler DSO should be good to go.

Dont forget the photos! We need to see what you did. Helps all of us.

Steve

Well--

  I put the deck in-- 4x4s with 2x8s over them.  Very nice.  Unforntunately, my roof is now too low!!!

  &(&+)(&)&*%%^$^#%$#$%&%^()*()+(+_(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

  So--  I'm raisng the roof 8" with 2x8s and adjusting the track the roof rides in to make it "roll" smoother.  Actually, when this is done, it will correct the lingering visible light and houses I could see at some angles that annoyed me, and in the end will be much more user friendly, dark, and functional.

  That will be done tomorrow.  Pictures forthcoming.

  It will look a little rigged, but I am the "make it work" phase.

  Well, I went with 2x10s to lift the ceiling higher, and reduced the friction surfaces the roof "rolls' in by about 60%--and it works great.

   I'm gonna caulk some seams and it'll be finished.

   Is there such a thing as Second Light?

   Pictures with the Cyclops .3 meter ILT coming shortly...