Shed advice needed...

[RobertM]

I'm looking at buying a shed to convert and use as an obs.  Having looked at a few at Ruxley and Pollhill it looks like a Pent is the best style, something about 8' x 6' - anyone have any advice ?  Also where to get them cheap.

Robert

[Tony G]

Hi Robert,

Other than picking the 2 most expensive places to purchase a shed, if you travel a little further on from Ruxley along the A20 to Flamigo Park, there is a company called 'The Shed Company' (I think, I'll try and find the website and post it on here) which has a load of sheds already constructed, and know doubt you may be able to haggle with these, more so than Ruxley or Polhill.
Here a map showing the location, where you can look at the sheds erected.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=10043823620093446507,51.430567,0.080401&saddr=51.430655,0.080466&daddr=&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=0&sz=17&sll=51.430387,0.079908&sspn=0.003311,0.009892&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=17

(If you zoom in enough you could pick a shed without leaving the house )

Tony G

[Mike]

.....Other than picking the 2 most expensive places to purchase a shed

Crikey yeah!! Don't look in garden centres for sheds, they will rip you off.

[RobertM]

Thanks, I'll try them next weekend and if you could manage to dig up that url Tony then that would be bonus.

[Tony G]

Robert,

They have all the prices on the site as well, but if you see what you want and then go and see them, and haggle.

http://www.theshedfactory.co.uk/index.htm

Good luck.

Tony G

[RobertM]

Thanks Tony,  they have a much better range of sizes and more importantly better prices - if I can haggle then all the better   They also do bases so if at a reasonable price then maybe I could get them to fill a largish hole with concrete ready for a pier at the same time.

Cheers
Robert

[Ian]

I believe that was the outlet I got my previous shed from. Did a fine job, and the shed was well constructed. Let me know how much they charge to lay a base...

[Tony G]

Hi All,

Just drove past Flamingo Park and the Shed compound is open Monday and Fridays 9.00am to 4.00pm, Saturday 9.00am to 4.oopm and Sunday 10.00am to 4.00pm.

Tony G

[RobertM]

Many thanks for the information Tony, I'll probably pay them a visit this Saturday.

Robert

[Rocket Pooch]

wood or metal?

http://www.taylorsgardenbuildings.co.uk/store/customer/home.php?cat=257

[RobertM]

It has to be wood as it's in a prominent position and the wife want's it to look nice.

[Ian]

Robert, how's your shed getting along?

[RobertM]

Hi Ian,

I've been waiting for the tree people to get the stump out - seems it's the time of year when all the stump grinders break down !   That finally happened last Thursday so now I can get a move on...

Shed design is going to be based on this http://www.dosborne-astroimages.co.uk/equip.htm#observatorythough a bit bigger (8 x 7) with a fold down flap on the south side as per the link.  Have found a source for the tanilised wood at a good price so I just need to finish drawing up plans then wait for some decent weather so I can get digging and lay the concrete.  I would really like a permanent pier but have to do everything on a tight budget due to earlier excesses - let me know if you see an 8" pier going cheap cheap.

I was following Fays thread and size wise after all things considered I reckon 8x7 is the smallest practical size also with wood there shouldn't be the same problem with condensation that you may get on metal (if that is a worry).

Will post pics as and when things start to happen.

Thanks
Robert

[Tony G]

Robert,

If you need a 8" tube of some kind, like the piece of ducting on Fay's thread, let me know what size you want and length and I'll see what I can do.

Tony G

[RobertM]

Hi Tony,

Thanks for the offer, I'm looking for some 8" tube 1/8" - 1/4" thick with some plates welded to it - at least that's are my initial thought.

[Rocket Pooch]

let me know if you see an 8" pier going cheap cheap.

Whats that some kinda bird?

Hey on a serious note, you really should invest in a good pier, there's nothing like having a large one to impress people.....

[Tony G]

Robert,

If you are going to concrete the inside of the tube, it can be either metal ducting (not as thick as 1/4" or 1/8") or plastic and the plate can be set in the top with rawlbolts after the concrete has set, it would also be a lot lighter to move into position.
So Robert, I may not be able to get the 1/4" thick metal tube, but maybe the ducting or plastic if you are interested, but still need to know the length.

Tony G

[RobertM]

Thanks for the advice guys.  I'm in two minds at the moment so I'll see if something crops up in the next month or so then take stock. 

[Ian]

not wishing to put you off, the last time I saw pipework that was 8" dia and a wall thickness of 1/4", I was on an oil rig.

You'd want to see their crimping machines for that pipe...

[JohnP]

Robert,

I have four lengths of 8-inch diameter steel bollard available. They are approx 4.5ft in length & 1/4inch thick. I managed to win a bid on ebay & had to hand collect them from Cambridge. They are pretty chunky & weigh in the range of 25-30kg each. I will keep one myself & Mac has reserved one which means that there are two left. If you are interested I can let you have one for £20 (covers ebay price & petrol etc to go & collect). They are just the tube though - you will need to weld plates etc. top & bottom yourself. You'll also need to have access to some cutting machine (unless you would plan on sinking in the ground). Anyway let me know if you want one.

John

PS - Ian apparently these didn't come of an oil rig they were surplus stock from some bus depot where they were erecting steel bollards....

[RobertM]

Hi John,

That could be ideal.  Any chance you can measure the internal diameter as I have a pier adaptor that's 7.75" and would need to slot in.

Many thanks
Robert

[Ian]

Good call John. I forgot we spoke bollards at Astrofest. I didn't ask if they had problems with ram raiders on the rig...

If there is a fourth one, I could use one of those too please.

By the way, if anyone wants to have a go, I have a stick welder in the garage.

[RobertM]

By stick do you mean Arc or MIG ?  I did Arc welding a long time ago but would need a bit of practice first.

[JohnP]

Ian - Consider the fourth one yours...

Robert - I've just measured & they are only about 7 1/8 to 7 1/4 ID... They are actually nearly 5ft long & 1/4 inch thick... Let me know if you want one.

John

[Ian]

Thanks John.

Arc welding Robert. It's not big (about 140A) but should just about do the job.

[Mac]

John I'll bring the money tomorrow.
Havent been able to do much as i've put my back out.

Just have to find my way to high elms.

[JohnP]

OK - I'll put three in the car tomorrow 1XMac, 1XIan & 1XRobert (if he wants it - if not open to anyone else or I will take home). They have been out in the garden a while so are wet & a bit grubby (rusty) so make sure you have a dust/ dirt sheet in your car...

Cheers,  John

[Ian]

I'll make sure I've got the cash too. Hope you don't get stopped by the police thinking they've caught a mortar bomber

[RobertM]

Hi John,

This is to good an opportunity to miss so I'll take one.  If no one objects and you have time I'd be grateful if you could put put an 'R' on the one with the largest internal diameter at either end - they're probably all the same but it may just save me a lot of work.

Many thanks

[JohnP]

OK - no probs - I'll measure them up today... John

[Ian]

FYI, B and Q in Sidcup have 9" grinders for £30 on clearance at the moment...