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Observatory build Reference

Cut list

Every cut piece with length and count, for framing and pier.

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This is one person’s build, not engineering guidance. Local codes, soils and loads vary.

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All lengths in inches. Counted off the 3D model.

Framing

MemberSizeLengthQtyCut fromNotes
Joists2x8 PT117″92x8 x 10'Face-mount hangers, tops flush at +10.75"
Skirtboard, two sides2x10 PT120″22x10 x 10'—
Skirtboard, other two2x10 PT117″22x10 x 10'—
Posts4x4 PT~1184x4 x 8'CUT INDIVIDUALLY after all blocks are leveled
Pier blocking2x8 PT14.5″22x8 x 8'Bay Y 44-60, centered X 44 and X 60
Ring blocking2x8 PT14.5″102x8 x 8'Where the 88" circle crosses each joist bay — NOT on grid lines
Bay blocking2x8 PT14.5″22x8 x 8'X 34 and X 70, bay Y 92-108
Bay blocking, short2x8 PT8.25″22x8 offcutX 34 and X 70, bay Y 108-117.75
Decking5/4 x 6 PT120″215/4 x 6 x 10'Crown up, cup hollow-side DOWN, 1/8" gaps
Hatch boards5/4 x 6 PT17.5″5decking offcutCut from the field after decking over the opening

Pier

MemberSizeLengthQtyCut fromNotes
Rebar verticals#4 (1/2")70″4#4 x 10'3" clear at bottom, ~4" below pour line at top. 50" offcut each.
Rebar ties#3 (3/8")5″12#3 bar, 60" total (one 4' bar is 12" short)4 per level, 3 levels, below grade only. Straight — no bending.
Footing cross ties#4 offcut11″2vertical offcutFlat in the footing, 3" up. Optional.
Form tube12" diato the height mark112" x 48" tubeCUT IN PLACE off a level line from the joist tops. Rim = screed line.
Threaded rods1/2"-1336″4stock 36"~31" embedded, ~5" projecting, 27" lap with the cage
Tube spacers2" OD x .25 wall= chosen gap4steel tubeEnds faced square. Test the gap with a wrench in hand BEFORE cutting.

Before you cut

  • Test the adapter gap on the bench with a hand and wrench before cutting spacers — the gap is the free variable, and the pour height follows from it.
  • Measure the assembled adapter height, then: concrete_top_above_floor = 34.5 - adapter_height.
  • Cut the form in place off a level line from the joist tops, not to a computed length from grade — grade is not flat.

The two that bite

Posts. Never pre-cut all eight. If one block sits 1/8" low, that post gets 1/8" more, and the skirtboard still lands at 10-3/4" everywhere.

Ring blocking. The ten positions are where the 88" circle crosses each joist bay, not a convenient grid. The dome's load arrives as a line around that circle. Blocking anywhere else carries nothing.