playa dome

THIZZkid · Post by **THIZZkid** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 11:26 am

does anyone have or know where i can get one of those metel triangle dome tents that people have. trying to find a nice size one for a good price. please let me know.

BitterDan · Post by **BitterDan** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 9:25 pm

Hey there,

Most of us just make them ourselves rather than pay someone thousands of dollars. It's pretty easy to do yourself with a couple buddies and a weekend or two. Check out desert domes for full instructions on building a dome for

www.desertdomes.com

MikeVDS · Post by **MikeVDS** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 9:31 pm

Yep. We've made quite a few and if you need advice I'd be glad to share what I know. We started making them based on desert domes instructions, which are good. There are a few parts on their page that can be confusing, but it is pretty easy to figure them out. There are some finer points that you may want someone to look over once you figure out what you think you want. For example there are sizes where they become much harder to assemble. About 32 foot you can do with 10' ladders after that, you need a lift, lots of people, or scaffolding. We made a 40' dome and it's a pity we didn't go bigger or a little smaller for the ease.

THIZZkid · Post by **THIZZkid** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 8:48 am

yea so making one is the way to do it on a budget huh? well i was hopin i could get one already done, but where is the fun in that right. after i have the frame how do i cover it. and what do i cover it with?

Toolmaker · Post by **Toolmaker** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 10:26 am

Parachutes work contrary to what some may say.

Shade cloth or aluminet is good if you can afford it but you may want to grind your strut ends a bit and maybe even cover with something like bedliner or tool handle rubber coating so the shade cloth doesn't get trashed from sharp edges.

I like to use eye bolts in mine so I have places to tether shit, hang a hammock, hang a cargo net etc.

BurningJim · Post by **BurningJim** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 2:53 pm

This dome sight has a much higher height/width ratio:

http://simplydifferently.org/Geodesic_D ... es?page=16

Here's my 15.74' worksheet:

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key= ... utput=html

This gives you a dome that is over 15' across and 10' 8" high, perfect for hanging a ceiling fan! (if so inclined). Also, it has very little waste, i.e. only 6, 18" pieces and two 24 1/2" pieces, if you use the additional bracing. Staking becomes VERY important, due to the higher h/w ratio.

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 3:46 pm

THIZZkid wrote:does anyone have or know where i can get one of those metel triangle dome tents that people have. trying to find a nice size one for a good price. please let me know.

Are you asking about Starplates?

SilverOrange · Post by **SilverOrange** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 3:59 pm

Thanks Burning Jim. I don't think I've ever seen that site before. Good information. Been going back and forth between a pod, hexayurt, and a dome for this year. Has anyone tried the star dome layout? http://simplydifferently.org/Star_Dome

Toolmaker · Post by **Toolmaker** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 9:08 am

BurningJim wrote:This dome sight has a much higher height/width ratio:

http://simplydifferently.org/Geodesic_D ... es?page=16

Here's my 15.74' worksheet:

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key= ... utput=html

This gives you a dome that is over 15' across and 10' 8" high, perfect for hanging a ceiling fan! (if so inclined). Also, it has very little waste, i.e. only 6, 18" pieces and two 24 1/2" pieces, if you use the additional bracing. Staking becomes VERY important, due to the higher h/w ratio.

simply awesome

I've been considering stretching a dome somewhat. Now that I have the perfect place to school myself I may just do that.

thanks for the great link

Â¡Niers! · Post by **Â¡Niers!** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 11:25 am

I posted this in another thread, I know, I know....but I think it's more helpful here.

Last year I built a 17ft dome and used 3/4" conduit.
If I remember correctly, the tubing was a total of $217 at the Depot.
Unless you intend to have people climbing all over it, stick with 3/4" it is plenty strong for a domicile. You'd be wasting your money with 1" and short-changing yourself with 1/2".
I found a really good website for building domes at www.byexample.com
They provide a great pattern for the dover (dome cover). Although they used regular silver tarps, I recommend using old billboard tarps. They are UV resistant and extremely durable. The down side to using it is that on one side, it's white, but on the other it will have some kind of advertisement on it like PEPSI or VIAGRA. Not really a big deal, just make sure the white side is on the outside. Plus the idea of recycling something like that just warms the heart. We got ours for free, but as I am planning on building another one, I found tons of the stuff for sale on eBay for a fairly reasonable price. I used pvc glue to connect the panels together. I know it's nasty stuff, but when you finish it, set it up and let it off gas for at least a week. My brother and I tried several glues and that turned out to be the strongest because it kind of melts the material and bonds it together for a 60mph-wind-proof-bond.

Hope this helps ya!
Good luck and be patient!

~Â¡Niers!

Stickygreen · Post by **Stickygreen** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 12:59 pm

another good way to cover a dome is to buy a roll of stretchy material (spandex), and cut it into 10' lengths, then just apply a piece of materiel where you want shade, or continue to cover the whole dome, its a little time consuming, but it's versatile and can be used as much as you want or as little as you want. colors can be added, or just white, if your a purist. then just machine wash when you get home, an your good to go for next year.

BurningJim · Post by **BurningJim** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 10:56 am

My dream dome will be covered in this material:

http://www.insulation4less.com/prodex_Ffmf.asp

One roll of this would cover a 15.74' diameter 1v 5/8 Rhombicuboctahedron. At $217.95, plus $25 for shipping, and $49.95 for the reflective tape (duct tape should also work) this is an expensive proposition. Oh, did I mention, another $15 for pipe insulation to stuff on the bottom to make it air tight? And, another $250 for the portable 150 watt solar panel to power your room-sized evaporative cooler, $229, and of course another $75 or so for the box you'll build to house the cooler and supplementary air filters to keep your dome as dust free as any $50,000 RV. I almost forgot, an extra 10 gallons of water per day to keep your cooler evaporating....

Of course, you'll need to drape about 30 yards of fabric around the inside (the reflective silver just won't do!) of your dome, and don't forget the fireproofing.

I could go on. I have more ways of spending YOUR money than you do

(I've already spent all of mine

) I'll probably end up in a pup tent, augmented with duct tape and plastic to keep some of the dust out, like I did last year. I'm hoping to find some scrap shade cloth to help keep the heat down during the day.

Â¡Niers! · Post by **Â¡Niers!** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 1:10 pm

And, another $250 for the portable 150 watt solar panel to power your room-sized evaporative cooler

So, where the hell you think you'll find a 150 watt solar panel for $250? Can't even buy a 75 watt panel for less than $300 unless you know how to solder and wire one together yourself.
Who needs an evap anyway? A fan to circulate air in a dome would suit any Mary. Or do you just need the evap to keep your beer cold?
Anyway, I will leave you to your research since you clearly have alot to do.

BurningJim · Post by **BurningJim** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 2:11 pm

inIers!, I did do my research: Costco in Burbank, CA, had a pallet of them for this price, two weeks ago

.

You're right: a fan, especially with the insulation I described, would suffice (I mentioned a ceiling fan in my original post). The evaporative cooler with the extra filters was "to keep your dome as dust free as any $50,000 RV".

I should have put "dream dome" in bold, underlined, italics.

There wasn't an emoticon with a tongue firmly placed in the cheek, I was hoping the tone of my post would've put that across.

Cassidy · Post by **Cassidy** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 2:35 pm

...and if you get in early and are looking for some entertainment and something to do

, bring some drinky-drinks over to the bringers of doom and help them get their dome set up. I learned a lot about teamwork and geometry and how to drink a beer thru my dustmask (hint - you need a hard straw). And, of course, I had a blast! (Thanks for letting me play guys!!)

Whatever you decide to put up as your shelter, may I suggest setting it up at home first and/or color-coded or numbered pieces...

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 3:12 pm

Cassidy wrote:...and if you get in early and are looking for some entertainment and something to do

You shouldn't be getting in early unless you have plenty to do.

Cassidy · Post by **Cassidy** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 4:38 pm

Yes, yes, you are very right Fishy. I should have been more clear... how 'bout,

"If you get in before Wednesday..."? but I'm sure it'll already be up by then!

Â¡Niers! · Post by **Â¡Niers!** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 6:21 pm

Burning Jim,
There is absolutely no way on earth that Costco EVER had a 150 watt solar panel for under $600.....ever!
Sorry to burst your bubble, but you have either been mistaken by numbers, or you just flat-out don't know what you are talking about and are hoping the rest of us don't either. In which case, you would be foolish.
So here, let me play the fool for a bit and let you in on a little business venture.
My advice is that you should call the President and let him know of your findings on cheap solar, cause he's looking for ways to save this nation.
Wholesale prices can't even get as good as you claim. Costco may be on the verge of saving the world (with your help, of course) from a global catastrophe.
I sure hope they are still having that sale cause if so, Mr. Obama can rest once again.

Perhaps you just found a 15 watt solar panel for $250.......nah, that's still pretty pricey for Costco.
My bet is that you just don't know.
Sorry!

Toolmaker · Post by **Toolmaker** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 9:03 am

Just under 250 watts will cost ya 1700 bucks.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.as ... d=11248624

60 watts for 300.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.as ... d=11298162

Â¡Niers! · Post by **Â¡Niers!** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 9:38 am

Thank you Toolmaker!
I just find it irritating when there are so many of us on here that actually spend alot of time, hard work, and money getting ready all year for the journey home, then read some post from someone that obviously hasn't done any of that and tries to fake their way.
Enjoy your pop-tent Jim!
And if you need to charge up some batteries, I'll still let you use my solar panel every now and then that I built myself.

BTW....Costco and Walmart can kiss my ass!
I'd rather pay more money and keep our local economy strong.
It's actually kinda bothersome how much money they make off of burners every year.
Oh well.

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 10:23 am

I'm sure you have a more pleasant personality once you get to the desert.

Toolmaker · Post by **Toolmaker** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 1:32 pm

In Jims defense there was a panel that was that price range but no inverters or anything. Some folks forget to account for the inverter and other related bits that wind up making the "kits" more expensive. I looked and couldn't find it on the Costco site but I think northerntool might have the same kinda thing with cheapo bits for that price in case anyone is interested in something small on the cheap.

I was thinking of doing solar on the tumbleweed style trailer I'm doing but may wind up using a couple of the smaller 60 watt panels just in case one gets killed by hail or whatever. But not too many, just enough to get by for lighting n such.

Personally I think its best to just use a motor and alternators for simplicity and cost. Solar seems to be dropping but is still kinda expensive for me to get into seriously. Now if a customer wants it than I'll spend their money just fine on whatever needs they have.

bx1 · Post by **bx1** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 6:39 am

We are building a large dome attachment to the main area of "The Bush" this year called the "Lava Lounge"... We got the construction down, and even have a line on the right size of parachute covering, just wanted to know if anyone has any experiences on the strength of the parachute covering (block rain/wind good). Would appreciate any thoughts/advice, thanks.

SpacemanSpliff · Post by **SpacemanSpliff** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 9:11 am

I don't know about rain, but parachutes are built to block wind exceptionally well. So well, in fact, that you may want to take precautionary measures to keep your dome from lifting off.

edeveber · Post by **edeveber** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 9:33 am

the HexaYurts look much easier to make but not as wind resistant. Although I don't think I'll have room for either. Regular ol' tent for me! I am going to be so dusty. :)

Post by **Elderberry** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 1:36 pm

edeveber wrote:the HexaYurts look much easier to make but not as wind resistant. Although I don't think I'll have room for either. Regular ol' tent for me! I am going to be so dusty.

You make it right, the wind won't bother it. Last year was a testament to that.

JK

griffin · Post by **griffin** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 12:36 pm

I'm making a small 6' dome, for an art project not to live in, so I'm only using 1/2 inch emt. I've go the geometry figured out, and the pipes cut to size, but now I need to squish them. I tried hammering one, which worked, but not very well, so the thing to do seems to be to use a press, which I don't have.

Can anybody give me advice on what to look for. As always, budget is my main factor. Will a hand crank arbor press work, or do I need a pneumatic or hydraulic press? Can these things be rented. My Home Depot doesn't even know what a pneumatic press is, so they are no help. Also, how many tons should the press be capable of? I'm pretty ignorant, so please also explain to me how these other kinds of presses work. Would I need an air compressor, or is there a type that plugs into the wall? Sorry, not everybody understands these things, and how do you learn until you ask?

I'm going to ask around my local community to see if I can borrow or rent one from somebody, but just in case I have to buy one, I would like a little info.

oneeyeddick · Post by **oneeyeddick** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 12:51 pm

Find someone to weld you a little attacment to a typical hydrolic car jack.

Visualise a couple of "u" pieces ....or even horseshoes welded upside -down to the jack.connect them with another piece of metal.

Instant press for your EMT.

Sorry i have no pics to represent ...........

Â¡Niers! · Post by **Â¡Niers!** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 1:27 pm

What kind of hammer are you using?
I used (I think it was) a 3# sledge hammer to do the job and it worked fine, it took some time, but it worked.
I am, by trade a welder/fabricator and have all kinds of tools, I even have several hydraulic jacks and a press. I never even gave the idea a thought because of the thought of how slow those things are. I have access to many automatic presses even and that would still take quite a bit of time cause hydraulics are very slow moving.
One thing that I was thinking about doing is making a crimping lever. With a long handle and a close pivot point, it would be very quick and effortless to flatten the ends of conduit.
If you need some help fingering out how to make such a contraption I could help you, but only if you know how to weld.
Otherwise, the bigger the hammer, the less times it will take to swing it.

Toolmaker · Post by **Toolmaker** » Wed Mar 25, 2009 2:13 pm

oneeyeddick wrote:Find someone to weld you a little attacment to a typical hydrolic car jack.

Visualise a couple of "u" pieces ....or even horseshoes welded upside -down to the jack.connect them with another piece of metal.

Instant press for your EMT.

Sorry i have no pics to represent ...........

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/ ... _200332761

130 bucks.. you can make you own for about 1/2 that with shop access.

You could also use a press brake if you have shop access.

playa dome

playa dome

Great Dome Resource

Re: playa dome

Re: Great Dome Resource

Way cool, but expensive dome covering material

$250 125 Watt Solar?

apokiliptika has a gee-oh-dee-sick dome

Re: apokiliptika has a gee-oh-dee-sick dome

Never more true!!