geo domes

buckynaked · Post by **buckynaked** » Sun Dec 19, 2004 9:43 am

Im set on building a large dome when i come home for 2005 and I cant find any websites that sell the tempoary structures does any one know how I can get my hands on those parts and plans please help

Gizmo · Post by **Gizmo** » Sun Dec 19, 2004 2:32 pm

For a really simple dome.......

http://stevelerner.com/geometry/

bigpurple · Post by **bigpurple** » Sun Dec 19, 2004 2:45 pm

I've built a couple of domes now, and while I never had any formal blueprint type "plans" I found the calculator on this site to be extremely helpful:

http://www.desertdomes.com/index.html

diane o'thirst · Post by **diane o'thirst** » Sun Dec 19, 2004 7:06 pm

If you don't have a garage or facilities to cut, press and bend pipes, you can use bamboo. It's readily available, often for free, scour your local Freecycle list or ask your neighbours if they are growing it and would like the dead stalks taken away.

Best cut with a miter saw or something with fine teeth like that, be sure to seal the ends with spar varnish to keep it from peeling and splintering.

DesertDomes tells how to make bamboo as well as conduit domes.

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 5:13 am

It would also help to review the various discussions about domes on the "old" eplaya. There is a LOT of info, and links to sites with pics of domes at every stage of construction. But start at Tara's site. Shop around if you end up going with conduit instead of bamboo- Prices were SLOWLY coming down but still in the 6-bucks-plus range for 3/4" EMT. Might have to check with your local scrap dealer, unless you're ready to throw down around 400 clams. (for starters!)

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 7:59 am

Not fixed yet, I guess. Linking to http://oldbbs.burningman.com/ still returns.

Internal Server Error
The server encountered an internal error or misconfiguration and was unable to complete your request.

Please contact the server administrator, [email protected] and inform them of the time the error occurred, and anything you might have done that may have caused the error.

More information about this error may be available in the server error log.

Uhuh...

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 8:43 am

Thanks, Bob! Meanwhile,

http://graphics.stanford.edu/~munzner/dome/

I'll keep looking. Bucky, for reference's sake there is an informal default to use of EMT, or metal electrical tubing, and a recommended diameter of 3/4". A good "starter" dome is a 2V, or "frequency two", meaning that it consists of two different lengths of struts. There are 65 struts in a 2V. Although a press and grinder might improve your results, the tools you will need are power drill (corded), HEAVY hammer and anvil (or hard surface) and hacksaw or reciprocating saw. A plumber's pipe cutter will work too, but will take forever. You'll also need a socket and crescent wrenches for assembly. If you aren't accustomed to a lot of cutting, pounding and drilling then you should consider starting SOON, and making a few struts per day or week. Or assemble the tools and materials and a supply of beer and snacks, call some buds, and have a dome party. I made my first 2V singlehandedly in a long afternoon, so a motivated gang should be hanging tarps in no time......

TheMuse · Post by **TheMuse** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 5:32 pm

bigpurple wrote:I've built a couple of domes now, and while I never had any formal blueprint type "plans" I found the calculator on this site to be extremely helpful:

http://www.desertdomes.com/index.html

This is the site we used to find directions on building our own dome. See pictures of the process at www.spikesvampirebar.com

We basically cut pieces of metal electrical conduit (3/4 thickness I believe) and used the jaws of life to press the ends (we have a firefighter in our camp).

Otisserie · Post by **Otisserie** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 11:57 pm

TheMuse wrote: This is the site we used to find directions on building our own dome. See pictures of the process at www.spikesvampirebar.com

We basically cut pieces of metal electrical conduit (3/4 thickness I believe) and used the jaws of life to press the ends...

Are Vampires allowed to use the jaws of life?

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 6:46 am

[quote="TheMuseWe basically cut pieces of metal electrical conduit (3/4 thickness I believe) and used the jaws of life to press the ends [/quote]

Okay- Now that's just COOL.

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 11:52 am

One other consideration: While for their size domes utilize relatively little volume of materials to make, you will still have to make room in your vehicle or shipping container for both the struts AND covering....A parachute will obviously compress very well, but silver tarps will require more cargo space as will the struts. The longer struts in a 2V 18' dome are almost five feet long, and there are 65 struts in all. Expect to use up the equivalent of a big military duffelbag or more in volume. If you DID use bamboo struts, you could burn 'em on the last day (and listen to 'em POP!)....and have more room on the return trip.

Martiansky · Post by **Martiansky** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 5:05 pm

I just went to Maynards to price 3/4" conduit and it was $5.97 a stick!

That means 35 sticks for a 2V @ $5.97 each = $208.95!! Yikes

GuinivereElise · Post by **GuinivereElise** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 6:02 pm

there are a couple great books on different types of domes out there... i would try looking for a 'structures' book... should yeild some interesting results on some other, more non-traditional domes...

phoenix13 · Post by **phoenix13** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 9:16 pm

Otisserie wrote:
TheMuse wrote: This is the site we used to find directions on building our own dome. See pictures of the process at www.spikesvampirebar.com

We basically cut pieces of metal electrical conduit (3/4 thickness I believe) and used the jaws of life to press the ends...
Are Vampires allowed to use the jaws of life?

How do you think vampires get extra blood?

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Mon Dec 27, 2004 5:15 am

GuinivereElise wrote:there are a couple great books on different types of domes out there... i would try looking for a 'structures' book... should yeild some interesting results on some other, more non-traditional domes...

I haven't found much online about modifying domes...A few notes about enlarging the doorway and such, that's about it.... You might want to try the library of your local art museum, too. It wouldn't hurt to see more yurts, pagodas or Dogon huts on the playa.

It still SUCKS, but $5.97 a stick for 3/4" DOES represent an improvement. We may not get back to $2.25, ever. Even at that price, remember that you'll be able to get many years of enjoyment from your conduit dome once built, having to only replace a bent strut here or there. And if you plan to hang out IN and not ON your dome, you can take some liberties with the structure to make larger openings and irregular shapes and it'll still retain some of its fine qualities. But test it! Even removing one strut to make a better doorway will render it too wiggly for a deck....

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Mon Dec 27, 2004 7:05 am

GuinivereElise wrote:there are a couple great books on different types of domes out there... i would try looking for a 'structures' book... should yeild some interesting results on some other, more non-traditional domes...

Just build a model out of straws or sticks.

http://www.bfi.org/

frenchblue1 · Post by **frenchblue1** » Mon Dec 27, 2004 8:06 pm

I built a dome last year from PVC that was 30 feet in diameter. I have the plans and all of the parts list etc. if you would like it. I also came up with a solution for covering the dome with a product made for shrink wrapping buildings and boats. In all, the structure worked well and I saved the PVC to be used this year. The cost was about $400 or so with the wrap which you can not use over and over. I guess you could use it again but I did not wish to because we had spray painted our art on the interior and exterior...I also brought along an evaporative cooler and installed a duct system to provide for a nice cool refuge during the day. Drop me a note if your interested.

[email protected] · Post by **[email protected]** » Mon Dec 27, 2004 8:22 pm

Try this one:

http://www.timefold.com/dome

It has pictures and advice for making a geodesic dome. I recommend a 2v "optimal dome" which is where the length of the two sizes of struts equals 10 feet. Start with Tara's web site, but then check out the above site before actually building the dome.

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Tue Dec 28, 2004 5:50 am

frenchblue1 wrote:I built a dome last year from PVC that was 30 feet in diameter. I also came up with a solution for covering the dome with a product made for shrink wrapping buildings and boats. .

Let's hear more about that shrinkwrap stuff....I for one am mighty curious. So far I've been resisting the make-a-fitted-cover stage, and any new technological input would be invaluable.

Hoco's suggestion for the "starter dome" is sound- That's the size and configuration that I've taken to the playa the last couple of years, and have used as the base for two more, smaller domes and a deck. Plenty of room, and solid as a rock. The Snowman will return to Hushville this coming year, and this time I'll put his head on.....

Martiansky · Post by **Martiansky** » Tue Dec 28, 2004 9:55 am

Robotland,
What size struts do you have on your lower dome? Is it a 2V?
Thanks!

I am going to try to make it to BM this year! Are you going? Driving?

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Tue Dec 28, 2004 11:19 am

The "Starter" Dome is 3/4" EMT conduit, frequency 2, with struts 56" and 64", about.....Tara's site gives "5.3 feet" and "4.7 feet", which maths out to "5 feet 4 inches" and "4 feet 8 and 2/5ths inches". That gets you about an 18' diameter. I set the 1/2" holes in about an inch from the ends, and use 3/8" bolts. I have trouble remembering whether there are 35 long struts and 30 short ones or if it's the other way around....But you get what you need from a total of 35 10' lengths of conduit. If your dome-icile doubles as a jungle gym, bringing a spare strut might be wise.
If everything goes as planned I WILL be driving again, hauling the makings for three 2V domes with me- The Starter, a 12-footer for on top of that, and a 6' topper. (Last year I was still assembling on WEDNESDAY, having made myself stupid with prescription meds for a bum hip, and finally decided to skip the Snowman's head altogether....As Bucky is my witness, all three WILL go up in '05!!)

Martiansky · Post by **Martiansky** » Tue Dec 28, 2004 12:22 pm

Robotland wrote:

Tara's site gives "5.3 feet" and "4.7 feet", which maths out to "5 feet 4 inches" and "4 feet 8 and 2/5ths inches"

But Robo......thats 10' 2/5" ! I thought the conduit sticks were 10'?

If I had been there last year I would've helped you put up your dome-icles!

Martiansky · Post by **Martiansky** » Wed Dec 29, 2004 7:45 am

Why did the conduit prices go up so high anyways, anybody know?
I mean that's double it was a couple years ago.

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 4:58 am

Martiansky wrote: But Robo......thats 10' 2/5" ! I thought the conduit sticks were 10'?

If I had been there last year I would've helped you put up your dome-icles!

Yeah, they're 10' straight up....But that's what happens when you convert from Metric to Archaic. And thanks for the offer- I'm stubborn, and have trouble asking for help sometimes.

Near as I can figure, it's the lack of El Cheapo steel due to the huge building projects going on in China, (Three Gorges Dam) combined with crappy econo-political climate in the world steel trade. A lot of shipbreaking and salvage goes on around the areas that just got Tsunamied, too, so that may affect things as well. At its worst, the conduit prices were TRIPLED, and halfway to QUADRUPLED. Last I looked, what cost about $2.30 in 2000 still costs about 6 bucks.

Martiansky · Post by **Martiansky** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 6:17 am

Robotland wrote:

Near as I can figure, it's the lack of El Cheapo steel due to the huge building projects going on in China, (Three Gorges Dam) combined with crappy econo-political climate in the world steel trade. A lot of shipbreaking and salvage goes on around the areas that just got Tsunamied, too, so that may affect things as well. At its worst, the conduit prices were TRIPLED, and halfway to QUADRUPLED. Last I looked, what cost about $2.30 in 2000 still costs about 6 bucks.

Geesh.....I wonder if the prices will go up higher because of the tsunami? Makes me think that maybe I should go out and buy the conduit now (plasteek card) before it happens!!

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 6:38 am

Do you have a scrap dealer in your vicinity? It will take a little work, but you might be able to score your conduit for dirt cheap....Even with prices the way they are, I haven't had any problems finding strut-length EMT scraps in dumpsters at construction sites either. I'm even planning a 6' 3V 1/2" EMT sphere treehouse based on the pile of scraps that I liberated from my place of employment!
I've found that scrap dealers are a lot more welcoming if you call ahead and ask if there's a particular time that you might go picking- And when I tell them I'm after ART SUPPLIES they generally get very intrigued. Bring cash. Be prepared to be tempted by sharp-edged rusty monstrosities that you had been, up to now, completely unaware of your inability to do without. Give in. Wait, and your beautiful prize will end up melted down only to be reincarnated into some chucklehead's SUV. I missed a pile of 1/4" aluminum diamondplate that woulda made a KICKASS dome deck. Never Again!
I've noticed a dramatic increase in the number of old Bubbas driving Sanford-and-Son looking trucks loaded with rims, bumpers and miscellaneous scrap on the road lately, testament to the increased value of steel, but it's shocking to discover how relatively valueless a pickup's worth is actually worth. Scrap dealers buy brass, copper and aluminum by the pound, but steel is in fractions of a ton.

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 6:47 am

Just to satisfy my own curiosity I did some checking...Mixed steel and iron scrap currently commands 85 bucks per TON. Misc. metals are all between 27 cents and a buckn'change, starting with lead and topping out at copper. Aluminum's about .50 a pound.

diane o'thirst · Post by **diane o'thirst** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 12:10 pm

In light of the steel, I'd just say "screw it" and go with the bamboo. Lighter, easier to work, potentially bottomless supply, cheaper. Leave the steel for the folks who really need it to reconstruct their wrecked houses.

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 12:40 pm

diane o'thirst wrote:In light of the steel, I'd just say "screw it" and go with the bamboo. Lighter, easier to work, potentially bottomless supply, cheaper. Leave the steel for the folks who really need it to reconstruct their wrecked houses.

Bottomless supply? Cheaper? M-Sky's in Minnesota, and I'm in Michigan....We get our bamboo from World market, for TWICE what you'd pay for steel! Now you know why we're WOLVERINES and not PANDAS. And a handful of Bucky Fuller groupies building steel playhouses ain't gonna impact the poor homeless souls in Sri Lanka. My Red Cross donation will more than offset the shortage caused by our selfish use of EMT.
I didn't get a chance to closely inspect any bamboo structures on the playa- Lashed? Screwed? (The domes, I mean!) I've seen amazing bamboo scaffolding, and know its strength, but I like trusting good ol' nuts and bolts in something 25 feet tall, made of three geodomes. Willing to learn, but I remain enamoured of the Shiny Stuff. best thing about bamboo? It goes BANG! when you burn it.

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 1:14 pm

Bamboo leaf litter was one of the problems w/ Lush Camp, along with palm fronds, tree bark and assorted raverer droppings.

Okay for random poles if you strip it beforehand, I suppose, but would need some kind of foofoo on the ends to use it for a "dome".

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