Saguaro Cliffs Observatory - Construction

 

 

Welcome.  The following pages chronicle the construction of the Saguaro Cliffs Observatory

 

 

Day 1 - 31 July 2009

Click each picture for a full size version  

 

The tractors begin grubbing of the area for the observatory  

We need to save these Saguaro's.

 

 
There's no turning back now.  

 


Day 4 - August 3, 2009 Click each picture for a full size version  
First Layer of Fill  
The Observatory Area

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Day 6 - 5 August 2009 Click each picture for a full size version  
Pier #2 Goes Here  

Laying out the pad so we

know where the yard walls go

 
The digging begins  
The yard wall footer is dug  

Day 7 - 6 August 2009 Click each picture for a full size version  
Preparing to dig the pier footers  

7 August 2009 Click each picture for a full size version  
     

 

     

 

     

 


9 August 2009 Click each picture for a full size version  
2 Pier Footers and the garden wall footers  
The garden wall footers

 

 

 

12 August 2009 Click each picture for a full size version  
The wall takes shape  
Preparing to remove the existing wall  
The soon to be East wall

 

 

13 August 2009 Click each picture for a full size version  
   
   
   

14 August 2009 Click each picture for a full size version  
   
   

19 August 2009 Click each picture for a full size version  
   
   

20 August 2009 Click each picture for a full size version  
   
   

21 August 2009 Click each picture for a full size version  
We have a form!

Note the "3 blocks in the ground" Observatory in the foreground

 
The beginning of a modified Skyshed  
The observatory setting  

26 August 2009 Click each picture for a full size version  
Sighting the Piers  

27 August 2009 Click each picture for a full size version  
Sighting the True North lines  
Closeup of the "around the rebar" sight lines.

Note the "behind the pier" markers.

 
Once the Sonotube is set, the string is extended to the rear markers to complete the lines.  

29 August 2009 Click each picture for a full size version  
Pier Base Pouring Day!

 

 

Preparing the J-Bolts

 
 

Preparing the templates

 

 

 
The completed templates  
Preparing the sonotubes  
Trimming the rebar  
The sonotubes are set  
Mixing the first batch of concrete.  Each pier required two, 40 lb bags  
The supervisor shows up...  
The first shovel of concrete  
Vibrating the air out  
Setting the rear sight line  
Inserting the first j-bolt template  
Picture perfect, pier #1  
Picture perfect, pier #2  
Closeup of pier #2 template  
We have piers!  

31 August 2009 Click each picture for a full size version  
The wall gets its first coat of stucco  
Naked piers  

1 September 2009 Click each picture for a full size version  
Rockite icing  
Rockite icing  
Forms removed, Rockite trimmed and the bolts cleaned  
Cleaned bolt  
The completed pier base with the safety devices in-place

 

 
The garden wall with the final coat of stucco and the completed pier bases.

 

Waiting for the final fill to be added and the slab to be poured...

 

8 September 2009 Click each picture for a full size version  
A fresh coat of paint on the wall  

12 September 2009 Click each picture for a full size version  

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SLAB POURING DAY!

 

We have 4 1/2 yards of concrete

 
Setting the pier base sleeves  
The pier base sleeves are in place  
One Bob Cat at a time  
May I have another, please?  
The HARD part of the job  
Nice screed  
The Artistry begins  
Need one more half bucket  
Looking good  
The Lucky Dollar  
The Telescope Room  
Picture perfect  
Watching concrete cure  


16 September 2009 Click each picture for a full size version  
Still watching concrete cure  
The sand isolation layer and the Sonotube  
The observatory setting, slightly improved...  
17 September 2009 Click each picture for a full size version  
A view of the observatory pad looking over the recently started home addition...  
25 October 2009 Click each picture for a full size version  
Checking out the Observatory location and the wall height.

 Performing an eyepiece comparison test using the 13.1 inch Odyessy 1.

 
31 October 2009 Click each picture for a full size version  
Time to remove the Sonotube and the sand.

 

 

 

 
Since the sand depth was 20 inches, and the crevice tool was only 8 inches long, can anyone say Apollo 13? A little garden hose and some duck tape did the trick.  
The sand is out and it's time to pull the Sonotube out of the hole.  
And... out comes the Sonotube  
And 4 1/2 hours later, we have 2 cleaned pier bases waiting for the foam insulation...  
1 November 2009 Click each picture for a full size version  
Time to stain the concrete...  
Finished...

 

 

 
5 November 2009 Click each picture for a full size version  
The stain is dry and has darkened up a bit...  
5 November 2009 Now we wait for the Media Room addition to be completed in about 3 weeks before proceeding with the observatory building construction  

 

 

 

 


Latest Update:  06/07/2010

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