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The
cloud and poor seeing have at least allowed me to work on the
observatory and mounting. There is always more to do. I need to make
more room on the floor for my new hop-up stool. I had been really
struggling to place my "flat" imaging screen from the fragile, plastic,
beer crate. The sun had been climbing much higher as the months passed.
Which was lifting the telescope objective ever further out of reach.
The
new "hop-up" is 46cm [18"] high, rock steady and provides two identical
treads on each side. The top being a large and stable platform. It
folds neatly into a vertical slab with the lower shelf locking the
sturdy legs open. It then becomes a rigid unit. The large plastic feet
can find no hollows, on uneven surfaces, to cause a dangerous wobble.
This
is my third Jumbo product. Their 10 tread, big "warehouse" stepladder
up to my 1st floor observatory has been superb. It makes climbing and
descending far safer despite the steep incline of 80°. Had I been
limited to a conventional ladder I might well have given up by now. Or
even had a nasty accident!
The
dome access ladder, seen on the right, uses much the same sturdy
profiles but is welded for extra stiffness and long term safety. They
are available in a range of overall heights based on the number of
treads. My observatory floor is 2.62m [8'7"] above ground level. Safe
and [almost] effortless access is vital. I am approaching my mid 70s,
after all.One of the two counterweights for my heavy, larch trapdoor is visible in the background. The weights are cast iron and from an old grandfather clock. They were just handy at the time and of the correct weight to nicely balance the trapdoor. Their supporting ropes pass over 4" pulleys bolted to the very top of the big stepladder.
The
ease with which the trapdoor can be opened and closed has made a
dramatic improvement in safety. Before the counterweights were added I
would always leave the trapdoor open. Now it is no effort to lower it
halfway and then let it descend smoothly onto the toggle stops.
These
toggles were my response to the need to avoid fixed [and therefore
dangerous] impediments to my climbing the big stepladder. I laminated
the toggles from birch plywood and aluminium. If I, or something I am
carrying, hits the toggles then they simple hinge upwards, harmlessly
out of the way.It probably all sounds like a lot of trouble to go to. Just for an observatory for one person. But I practically live up here when the sun is shining. Not literally, of course, but it has become my daily "office" while I am imaging.
Familiarity easily breeds contempt. So I have to be constantly alert to anything which might be dangerous while I am not concentrating. [Which is the normal state for me.] I am constantly trying to find ways to improve the observatory, its instruments, storage and contents. Anything which avoids danger or time wasting is a bonus over the longer term. I don't want anything which becomes an irritation or reduces the efficiency of its prime purpose.
It is rarely that I climb up to dome, or descend again, empty handed. So the smooth, tubular handrails on the big stepladder are a priceless asset. The deep and wide treads provide automatic feedback to help me balance with one hand. Or often just an elbow for guidance. I carry heavy, builder's stepladders, long and heavy telescopes and heavy power tools up and down all the time. The ladder treads are ribbed to ensure I never slip.
Every one of their ladders is made entirely of large and stiff, aluminium profiles. So there is nothing to rust in damp conditions. Not even the big rivets. They are designed for industrial use so must be completely fail safe. Many of the mass produced stepladders you see in the shops are absolute garbage in comparison with Jumbo's unfailing solidity. It is rare indeed for me to praise any product. I like Jumbo stepladders and recommend them highly based on my frequent personal use.
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