rivernstream wrote:I love this build. It is very close to what I'd like to do. Especially the stargazer window. Can you provide a little more detail on what you did for flashing (may not be the right term) to protect it from leaking. What thickness was the acrylic that you used and what was used to attach it to the framing? It looks like you built out framing for it . A tutorial would be terrific! Also who's template did you use? So far the basic Grumman 2 in the design library is what makes the most sense to me.
thanks.
For the window originally I tried to use 1/4 plexiglass. I built a jig at the correct bend in an attempt to form the plexiglass with heat. That's the pictures of the window on the ground clamped to the jig. It ended up being a disaster so I scraped that. I then went with 1/8" acrylic and didn't pre-bend it. I drilled and countersunk holes along both sides of the acrylic about every 2". The roof was then skinned with aluminum. From hatch hinge to window opening and from opening down the front making sure to keep the aluminum flush with the fore and aft window opening roof spars. I ran a bead of caulk on the top edge of the walls where the acrylic sits and then screwed the acrylic into place both sides one screw at a time letting the acrylic bend to the curve. The acrylic is the same width as the roof but I left 1/8" gap between the acrylic and the fore and aft roof spars. I then put on butyl tape and screwed down the roof edge trim. The roof was done except the two 1/8" gaps fore and aft the window. I placed butyl tape on each side of the 1/8" openings and then used offset T trim cut to the correct length. The longer part of the offset T trim I used over the acrylic and the shorter obviously on the aluminum roof skin. With help from my wife I had her on the outside put pressure on the trim and inside the teardrop I used my pin nailer and put a nail through the aluminum T and into the roof spars. We did this technique all along both pieces. For extra support in the middle of the window I cut a wood rib and glued and nailed it between the roof spars in the middle.
I hope that makes sense. Feel free to ask any other questions.