1st March 2025 Dome demolition.

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 Saturday 1st. The weather was dry, cool and almost still. My health is no longer an issue. So I started on the demolition of the dome itself. 

 I had already removed the outer building and disposed of the 4.3m  glass fiber dome. My heart problems had brought an end to further demolition work. Now I feel fit enough at 77 to finish the job. After an initial pang of regret and nostalgia I went ahead. Being as safe as I reasonably could.

  First I knocked out all the lower two rows of plywood panels with a 2x4. [50x100] Then I knocked out the lowest crossbars using the same weapon.

 

 

 Collapsing the dome safely meant attaching a long rope to each rib. Pulling on the rope from the safety of the ground snapped each rib in turn. 

 I pulled the shutters off but made sure that the strongest ribs, on each side of the shutters, remained. I wanted those to protect the shed roof next door to the observatory. 

 

 

 Eventually the dome collapsed exactly as anticipated. With very little risk to myself or the shed. The big mounting and pier also remained. To give me shelter and protection had there been an unexpected collapse. I had to go up the internal stepladder each time. To attach the rope each rib. These were the likely danger moments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The shutter ribs were so well attached to their heavy duty drawer slides. That they won't let go. So I have to find a safe way to avoid being crushed by their weight or tension. As I release them from inside the dome. That comes next, after lunch.   

 Meanwhile, the weather has improved to sunshine and 40F/4.4C. Time to start again. The lower observatory room still has a fair amount of useful stuff inside. I shall have to remove it all and protect it from the rain.

 

 

 

 

 15.15 The next image shows the shutter ribs, emergency doors and upper wall cladding have all been removed. I used the bayonet saw on the ribs. 

 The cladding was held by Torx screws. Sadly, the quality of some of those screws was pathetic. The Torx bit just rotated in the hole. Despite being the correct size. The screws were much too soft.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  ~*~