The shed
I had seen some metal sheds in the Argos and Index catalogues here in the UK. They looked
promising and in some cases better value than wooden ones. But I was unsure how they were constructed, who
made them and none were on show anywhere to have a look. Then I came across a message on the
uk.sci.astronomy newsgroup with a link to John Rowlands' "The ultimate roll-off roof
observatory" web site (now down). He was using one of these sheds and what's more it didn't look that
impossible for me to follow in his footsteps. Several emails later I had a better understanding of how
some things were done and I started making copious design notes figuring out my own way to build this
observatory. What appears on this site is the culmination of these notes, but ultimately the original idea
belongs to John for which I am grateful. Thanks John.
The shed is a Yardmaster International Model
1010GEY. I'm not sure if this is on the web site which was out-of-date the last time I looked. It is a
pre-painted galvanized steel sheet shed where the walls and roof panels attach to aluminium frames with
hundreds of stainless steel screws and fibre washers. This model type has its doors opening on the inside
of the shed as opposed to earlier Y series models, such as John Rowlands', where the doors are exposed and
vulnerable on the outside. I didn't like the security implications of this and that is the main reason why
I went for this model. There are several sizes to choose from, I went for the 2833mm x 2833mm size as it
nicely fits the pad already constructed. I ordered it from Littlewoods Extra (the web site for the now
defunct Index catalogues) and paid £349.99 - less than a tenth of the cost of a dome in the UK! Argos do them now. It was delivered straight from
Yardmaster International. Another shed that you may like to consider is their "Ship-lap" version
where the panels are horizontal. The roof section looks the same and the doors open on the inside. I
didn't go for this one as they didn't do one the right size for me otherwise I would have.
If you order such a shed make sure you thoroughly inspect it on arrival. They aren't packed
well and tend to slide about in their boxes and we all know what superb standards couriers uphold - yeah,
right! They can get scratched easily which makes a mockery of the 10-year anti-rust guarantee. My first
one had to be replaced as some panels were scratched and others bent. Also, make sure that you do get
stainless steel screws as advertised and not zinc plated which will tarnish almost immediately and
eventually stain the panels. Except for the wood screws, I used stainless steel nuts, bolts and screws
everywhere. I'll tell you what I used in the relevant places later. They look so good and won't rust or
tarnish. They also cost a little extra but if you buy from the highly recommended Screwfix Direct as I did all my hardware the costs are greatly reduced.
You are going to need a lot of extra screws etc. so don't pay the extortionate prices you'll find in the
high street DIY stores - Screwfix will be a fraction of the price and the service is second to none - and
I don't say such things lightly, believe me!
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