Amateur Astronomer Builds Observatory Using Chambrelan's Heavy Duty Slides

When Mike, a partner in an engineering firm and amateur astronomer, decided to build an observatory in his back garden using Chambrelan's heavy duty slides, we knew it was going to be a good story to follow up.  After four years of meticulous planning, the observatory is in the final build stage, with the sliding roof being the most essential aspect of the project.

However this is no ordinary observatory.  Most observatories use two beams supported by a single column to roll back the roof, unfortunately this design has it's draw backs in that the observatory walls can restrict the horizontal view of the sky.  A vertical view is fine, but it means the astronomer must know what he wants to look at before pointing his telescope.

The other observatory design Mike looked at was the classic rotating domed roof, which he felt might be an eye sore in the back of his garden.  So Mike went back to the drawing board and created a design that would not restrict his view of the horizon, allowing him both a horizontal and vertical view of the stars.  By creating an aluminium roof fitted on heavy duty slides, which 'peeled' back the roof, the telescope could be positioned at any angle for greater visibility.

Unfortunately Mike had problems with buying telescopic slides.  The first company he bought them from took his money, but failed to deliver the slides and it was only after he'd gone through his insurance was he able to recoup the money.  However not to be put off, Mike decided to contact Chambrelan.  Having listened to the brief and having discussed Mike's designs the Chambrelan team suggested one of their heaviest duty slides, the E1902.

The E1902 is a three beam zinc plated, nested slide made from carbon steel and because of the design and the materials used, is an extremely heavy duty slide capable of carrying massive loads.  Mike needed a huge amount of extension and opted for a 2000mm with a load capacity of 250kg.

"The new Chambrelan heavy duty slides," confirms Mike, "are exquisite, they're fantastic, a lot more heavy duty than the slides i originally bought.  Wish i'd bought them in the first place."

Fore more information on how Chambrelan heavy duty slides can help transform your build visit www.chambrelan.com