Post by Ron Walker on Oct 8, 2022 16:28:38 GMT -7
Posted by: evbones1@yahoo.com Sep 24 2006, 12:03 AM
I'm ready to start on a planetarium in my backyard. After talking to Ronald Walker and looking at Strgzr's observatory I am thrilled to find two people here in AZ to give me the support I need. I have had less than gratifying results talking to dealers of used equipment and am ready to drop down some serious cash for a 20ft dome. Strgzr's pictures gave me great ideas about how to enclose the dome. I was thinking geodesic structure but I love the simplicity of his block and foam construction. I am still trying to nail down a seller of either a fiberglass dome or a aluminum perforated dome so I can start thinking about placement in the backyard and construction. Thanks again Strgzr! Your pictures were just the support I needed.
A little history. I have a Macintosh repair business and an electric vehicle refirbushment business on the weekends. www.evbones.com I got all sorts of electronics down well but totally suck at nailing two boards together straight. I actually fixed big Meade LX200 drive assys a few years back, bought and sold them..man did they design those drive bases poorly. Figured out a better design myself and figured out quickly why they failed. that stuff no prob.
This task I have to admit is totally above my ability to do on my own. I just know I dont want inflatable and 15ft is too small. I have no great knowledge about astronomy but will learn as I go. My telescope sessions a few years ago testing Meades after repairing them was mostly the set up and operation with a friend out in the desert with me and a laptop telling me where to point the thing.
Back to the build. To paraphrase Ronald Walker on the few suppliers of domes and such "They don't understand the little guy" pretty much sums it up. They just dont respond like they want my money. It's like playing chicken. I dont want to tell them how much I have to spend and they wont come back with any prices. Been trying for a month now. Dont want to name names they all have been very nice and helpful but I dont think they are taking me serious.
I need to secure and see pictures of a inner projection dome so I can visualize what kind of a structure it will be built into. Strgzr's building for his observatory may scale out fine to house a dome. As soon as I get a dome purchased we can all discuss how best to house it.
I'm ready to start on a planetarium in my backyard. After talking to Ronald Walker and looking at Strgzr's observatory I am thrilled to find two people here in AZ to give me the support I need. I have had less than gratifying results talking to dealers of used equipment and am ready to drop down some serious cash for a 20ft dome. Strgzr's pictures gave me great ideas about how to enclose the dome. I was thinking geodesic structure but I love the simplicity of his block and foam construction. I am still trying to nail down a seller of either a fiberglass dome or a aluminum perforated dome so I can start thinking about placement in the backyard and construction. Thanks again Strgzr! Your pictures were just the support I needed.
A little history. I have a Macintosh repair business and an electric vehicle refirbushment business on the weekends. www.evbones.com I got all sorts of electronics down well but totally suck at nailing two boards together straight. I actually fixed big Meade LX200 drive assys a few years back, bought and sold them..man did they design those drive bases poorly. Figured out a better design myself and figured out quickly why they failed. that stuff no prob.
This task I have to admit is totally above my ability to do on my own. I just know I dont want inflatable and 15ft is too small. I have no great knowledge about astronomy but will learn as I go. My telescope sessions a few years ago testing Meades after repairing them was mostly the set up and operation with a friend out in the desert with me and a laptop telling me where to point the thing.
Back to the build. To paraphrase Ronald Walker on the few suppliers of domes and such "They don't understand the little guy" pretty much sums it up. They just dont respond like they want my money. It's like playing chicken. I dont want to tell them how much I have to spend and they wont come back with any prices. Been trying for a month now. Dont want to name names they all have been very nice and helpful but I dont think they are taking me serious.
I need to secure and see pictures of a inner projection dome so I can visualize what kind of a structure it will be built into. Strgzr's building for his observatory may scale out fine to house a dome. As soon as I get a dome purchased we can all discuss how best to house it.
